Posted on December 05, 2008

BFGoodrich Backs World Challenge Drivers Racing for Charity

104

BFGoodrich® Tires is proud to support three SCCA SPeeD World Challenge drivers who have banded together to keep busy in the off-season while supporting a special cause.

Woodhouse Performance SPeeD GT driver Jeff Courtney, Auto Analyser SPeeD GT driver Andrew Wojteczko and eSX SPeeD GT driver, Gary Sheehan have come together to tackle the daunting 25 Hours of Thunderhill, Dec. 5-7, and will do so in support of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF), commonly referred to as the "Wounded Warriors Foundation." Accompanying them in the MPMe/Team Scion tC race car is ALMS race winner, Dave Mcentee and Modified Magazine Senior editor, David Pratte. In support of the race, BFGoodrich will supply the MPMe/Team Scion tC racecar with BFGoodrich g-Force™ R1™ tires.

"When this talented group of racers asked BFGoodrich to get involved and help support the Wounded Warriors Foundation, we jumped at the chance," said Roberts Kukainis, brand sponsorship manager for BFGoodrich Tires. "We have BFGoodrich tires on Stryker military vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, our BFGoodrich g-Force R1 tires that will outfit the MPMe/Team Scion tC racecar can make another contribution to our troops. This is truly a great cause that benefits the men and women of our armed forces who put their lives on the line for our freedom."

The SOWF's mission statement speaks to the work they've been dedicated to for nearly three decades: "The Special Operations Warrior Foundation provides full scholarship grants and educational and family counseling to the surviving children of Special Operations personnel killed in operational or training missions and provides immediate financial assistance to severely wounded special operations troops and their families."

"I'd previously heard of the Wounded Warriors Foundation, but it was the work and passion of (BimmerWorld SPeeD Touring Car driver) Nick esayian that inspired me to learn more," said team owner, Marshall Pruett. "Nick put me in contact with the foundation, and with their assistance, everything has come together pretty quickly."

esayian's firsthand experience with the Wounded Warriors has been humbling. "The Special Forces guys are truly America's best and brightest. They voluntarily give up careers, income and opportunity in the private sector to go to the darkest places on behalf of this country. When you see brilliant and committed people sacrificing their lives while I'm out worrying about shaving a half second off my lap time, it is humbling. I don't ever want them to worry about their kids getting the best education," Pruett added.

With the holidays just around the corner, Pruett hopes racers and their families will be inspired to make donations to help improve the lives of those who've lost loved ones that served in the Special Forces. "My father was an Army veteran and my wife is a Marine veteran, and both had the utmost respect for the Special Forces members they knew. The Special Ops personnel ask to be placed in the most hostile encounters imaginable, helping the families of these fallen heroes by reaching into our pockets is an honor."

Driving for MPMe/Team Scion, the three World Challenge pilots will race the 2006 Scion tC carrying SOWF logos and the web address where donations can be made to support the Wounded Warriors. MPMe driver Gary Sheehan is proud to bring awareness to the SOWF by racing in the 25 Hours.

"Our military Special Operations teams put themselves in the most dire of situations in order to protect the freedoms and ways of life we enjoy every day. We are indebted to these heroes and their families, "said Sheehan. "It is a privilege and an honor to race for the families of our fallen heroes that have made the greatest of sacrifices so that we can continue to do the things we love to do."

With a dedicated web page established at: http://www.firstgiving.com/25hrs4woundedwarriors for people to make donations, lending support to Wounded Warriors Foundation is extremely easy and secure. "I hope to raise $5,000 for the Wounded Warriors," said Pruett. "I'm positive that with the support of the World Challenge community and racers throughout the country, we can all make a positive impact on the lives of people that can use our help."

Visit http://www.firstgiving.com/25hrs4woundedwarriors to make donations to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, and visit http://www.specialops.org to learn more about their important work.

Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 30 years, BFGoodrich® Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drifting, drag, desert, dirt, rally and extreme rock crawling. BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle.

About BFGoodrich

BFGoodrich Tires is dedicated to providing high performance tires for those who have a passion for driving in virtually any environment. Combining technical expertise with 50 years of motorsports experience, BFGoodrich delivers tires for a full range of driving experiences from ultra-high performance street to off-road terrain with one common theme – extreme performance. Come upgrade your performance with BFGoodrich and see where our tires can take you at BFGoodrichTires.com, BFGoodrichRacing.com, as well as on Facebook and Instagram at @BFGoodrichTires and TikTok at @BFGoodrich.

FILED UNDER:
Category: Car & Light Truck