in Pirelli World Challenge Finale with Justin Bell and No. 50 eBay Motors and eBay Mobile/Tiger Racing Mustang Boss 302
Charge from 12th to Third Ends First Season of World Challenge for Bell and CTF/R4R on a High Note Saturday in SonomaEnding the season nearly the same way it began in St. Petersburg last March, Childrens Tumor Foundation (CTF) Racing4Research driver Justin Bell charged through the field from 12th to third in last Saturdays season-ending Pirelli World Challenge race at Sonoma in the No. 50 eBay Motors/eBay Mobile Tiger Racing Ford Mustang Boss 302.
The Childrens Tumor Foundation (CTF) Racing4Research program, which uses auto racing to build awareness and research fundraising for the fight against Neurofibromatosis (NF), joined Bell in its first season in Pirelli World Challenge this year.
Neurofibromatosisor NFis a common yet under-recognized genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. The disorder can lead to blindness, bone abnormalities, cancer and excruciating and disabling pain. Found in one of every 3,000 children born, NF is a more common disorder than many more widely known illnesses, including cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Donations can be made directly at www.Racing4Research.org.
In the season-opening doubleheader on the streets of St. Petersburg five months ago, Bell won both races after driving through the field each time. He turned in a similar performance at Sonoma that was all the more impressive considering the team was using a back-up Mustang on loan from Rehagen Racing after Tigers primary car lost its engine in Thursdays opening practice session.
Bell immediately improved five positions right at the races standing start and then staged a race-long charge through the field that culminated with a last lap pass for third in the final turn of the race. Bell and the Tiger team earned the races Sunoco Hard Charger award for advancing the most positions in a race that featured 19 of the faster GT entries and 18 GTS entries, the class in which Bell and the No. 50 participate.
Its a great way to end the year, Bell said. We had a rough last couple of races, and that was as hard as I can drive that car. I used every bit of 25 years experience to get up there. Everyone raced fair, and thats where we ended up. It was fun. Its extraordinary we had the result we did after having so little time with the car, but as soon as the race started I knew had something to take to the battle after all of the great work and magic that our team guys put on the car.
The podium was the fourth of the season for Bell, Tiger Racing and the CTF/R4R program that showed up in full force at Sonoma with dozens of NF Heroes and their families supporting the No. 50. Bell also finished second on the streets of Long Beach in April.
Being able to finish on the podium was great for the team, for eBay Motors and eBay Mobile, and for the kids from the Childrens Tumor Foundation who were here with us this weekend, Bell said. These little Heroes are truly my heroes and hopefully the never-say-quit effort all of us put in this weekend will be as great an inspiration for them as they always are to me.
Racing4Research began five years ago as an annual fundraising campaign with Porsche GT3s in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Rolex 24 At Daytona race, but 2012 has seen CTF expand into additional racing events and other series for the first time. Bell was first part of the Racing4Research team at this years Rolex 24 and continued to support the cause all season in the Pirelli World Challenge.
The CTF Racing4Research program is on track for a record $1 million in donations this year with a total of $700,000 having already been raised in the first half of 2012. Donations to CTF Racing4Research can be made directly at www.Racing4Research.org.All of the Pirelli World Challenge action from Sonoma can be seen on the NBC Sports Network, Sunday, Sept. 9 at 3:30 p.m. EDT.Noteworthy
- Bell only had one day back home in Los Angeles after Sonoma before traveling to Detroit where he had the honor of inducting his father Derek Bell into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Wednesday evening. Derek Bell is a five time Le Mans 24 Hour winner, three-time Rolex 24 winner and two-time Sports Car World Champion who was enshrined in the Sports Car category at the Halls 24th Annual Induction Ceremony at the Fillmore Theater. My father Derek Bell has had the most extraordinary life and motorsports career, Justin Bell said. But there is another side of his life that I am equally, if not more proud of, and that is there has never been a bad word said about my Dad. This is an extraordinary thing in a sport that is based on such fierce rivalry. To be in the sport over 40 years and to find that people everywhere appreciate and love what you do is amazing.About the Children's Tumor Foundation and Racing4Research: Developed by the Childrens Tumor Foundation, the Fuel the Cure and Racing4Research (R4R) programs utilize competitive, professional auto racing as a vehicle to increase awareness of neurofibromatosis and raise funds for research through corporate sponsorship, personal donations, and individual fundraising by NF Heroes: children and adults from around the country who live with neurofibromatosis. NF affects one in every 3,000 children, more than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntingtons disease combined, and can lead to a wide variety of complications, including blindness, bone abnormalities, cancer, deafness, disfigurement, learning disabilities and excruciating and disabling pain. The Racing4Research program offers children and families living with the disorder a uniquely empowering weekend, and has raised over $2 million dollars since its inception five years ago. Donations can be made at www.Racing4Research.org.
