Go-Kart Fundraising Event in DetroitTop Sports Car Drivers Already Confirmed For Evening of Fun and Fundraising for the Fight against NeurofibromatosisThe Childrens Tumor Foundation (CTF) will host an evening of karting fun and fundraising at the Inaugural Racing4Research 100 go-kart race, Thursday, May 30, at Kart 2 Kart in the Detroit community of Sterling Heights.
The full night of team-based karting competition is the first event of its type in the history of the CTF Racing4Research (R4R) program that raises funds for the fight against Neurofibromatosis, a common yet under-recognized genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. The event is limited to just the first 100 participants that step up to sit down in a kart and race for the R4R cause. Registration is available now at grow.ctf.org/Detroit2013.
A talented lineup of race and championship winning sports car drivers has quickly filled several of the available spots. The stellar field already includes GRAND-AM Road Racing, ALMS and Pirelli World Challenge drivers Patrick Long, James Sofronas, Eric Curran, Andy Lally, Spencer Pumpelly, Patrick Lindsey, Duncan Ende, Dion von Moltke, John Edwards and more. Former driver and SPEED television reporter Brian Till, and AutoWeek motorsports editor Mac Morrison, have also confirmed their participation.
The CTF and its unique R4R program is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by Neurofibromatosis. Known as NF, 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.
The CTF/R4R program raises funds and awareness for the fight against NF through a busy and diverse racing program that in 2013 is anchored by fulltime teams and more in GRAND-AM and Pirelli World Challenge GT. Donations to CTF/R4R can be made directly at www.Racing4Research.org.Open to the public for a nominal donation, the Racing4Research 100 will give fans more than just the chance to meet and mingle with some of their sports car racing favorites. Lucky bidders that evening will also have the rare opportunity to race with some of the professional drivers in attendance through a special fundraising auction for a relay-style competition. Details are currently being finalized, but other unique ways for attendees to support CTF/R4R while getting in on the racing action will also be available.Several NF Heroes are expected to be among the most enthusiastic VIP supporters in the crowd at the Racing4Research 100. So named for their unwavering courage in fighting the disorder, NF Heroes are the brave young people tackling NF head on who are nothing short of an amazing inspiration for the teams and drivers that are fortunate enough to compete in their honor.
The Racing4Research 100 is a lead-in charity event for that weekends Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, May 31June 2. The Belle Isle schedule includes the Rolex Sports Car Series Chevrolet GRAND-AM 200 and a Pirelli World Challenge doubleheader, but drivers in town for Sundays featured IndyCar race are also welcome to race in and support the Thursday karting event.Noteworthy- The CTF/R4R racing season has moved off to a winning start in 2013. Primary team partner drivers Sofronas, and the all Patrick lineup of Long and Lindsey, made it to victory lane two weekends ago. Sofronas drove his No. 14 Audi GMG/Racing4Research Audi R8 LMS to his second 2013 Pirelli World Challenge GT win in a row on the streets of Long Beach while Long and Lindsey made it to victory lane for the first time as a duo in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Road Atlanta race. The second place finish was also the first top-three result for Park Place Motorsports and its No. 73 Childrens Tumor Foundation/HITRUST Porsche 911 GT3.A fantastic day for our race team, Lindsey said. The Park Place Motorsports guys did the best job in the paddock. Wish our friends back in Dallas could have been here and everyone at the Childrens Tumor Foundation. We were thinking of all of our NF Heroes today.The Road Atlanta race also saw the No. 01 TELMEX/Chip Ganassi Racing BMW Riley of Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas win overall for the second time this year. The perennial powerhouse team is the first top-level GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype team to support the CTF/R4R cause.About Children's Tumor Foundation/Racing4Research: Developed by the Childrens Tumor Foundation, the Racing4Research (R4R) program utilizes 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 six years ago. Donations can be made at www.racing4research.org.
