Four businesses located within the same building are involved in the project, said Mike Riportella, general manager. Donations are encouraged from the patrons of Racers Premier Gentlemen’s Club, as well as customers in the Pitstop Bar & Grill, Speedway Inn, and Marathon Minimart.

Around 11 p.m. each Friday and Saturday night, firefighters from the Sparta Fire Department arrive dressed in their hardhats and suspenders. Holding a boot in their hands, they circulate the crowds and ask for donations. In Racers, a girl dressed in fire pants, suspenders, and a fire hat will do a two-song set. "By the end of the set," said Riportella, "she’s wearing a lot less." The disc jockey will play fire-related songs as the girl dances and the firefighters circulate. Everyone, including the girls on the floor and the disc jockey, encourage the patrons to donate to the fire truck fund.

According to Patrick, the new Kentucky Speedway has recently been built in Sparta city lines. The speedway plans to host both Busch and Winston Cup races, so the fire department purchased a new truck to meet the demands of the gathering crowds. But because of a deal made with the state of Kentucky, the speedway is not required to pay taxes. The fire department was forced to finance the truck themselves.

"The girls are great," said Patrick. "They saw a need, and they’re helping to fill it." The dancers at Racers help raise money for various agencies and organizations in the city. They have held charity food drives, and they recently raised money to send local students on a science trip to Florida.

"The fire department is still going to have to do fish fries and bake sales," said Riportella, "but we’re going to keep on doing this as long as it’s effective. Businesses have a responsibility to help out."