Three Cars, Three Categories, One Goal While the bright and colorful livery representing the Children’s Tumor Foundation’s Racing4Research program has been a part of the professional sports car scene since January, this weekend’s Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen will mark a historic first for the Foundation in which three separate cars in three separate categories will be at the same venue carrying the same colors.
“It’s truly amazing how embracing the entire sports car scene has been of our program,” stated Jill Beck, Director of Racing4Research. “So much of our efforts in racing are not just about raising awareness, but about giving the families and children suffering from NF an event to look forward to, and everyone in the paddock has accepted this with open arms. It should be a great event at Watkins Glen, and I have to thank everyone at Park Place Motorsports and Compass360 Racing for making this a reality.”
Featuring a vibrant series of bright colors, the famed “Art Car” livery adorned by all three machines is designed by noted artist Jeffrey Owen Hanson, himself an “NF Hero” who is visually impaired due to complications from a tumor on his optic nerve. At 20-years old, Hanson has developed a very recognizable style, selling pieces to celebrities including Sir Elton John, Susan Sarandon, and Warren Buffett. In total, Jeffrey has donated over $1 million to a number of charities, including the Children’s Tumor Foundation.
Competing in the marquee race, the Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen, will be the No. 73 Porsche 911 GT America entered by Park Place Motorsports. As one of the top Porsche teams in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, Park Place has been demonstrating strong pace recently, including taking top Porsche honors in qualifying for the most recent Detroit Grand Prix. In pursuit of their first victory, full-season driver Patrick Lindsey will be joined by former Rolex Series Champion Dr. Jim Norman, as well as European ace Jaap van Lagen. Hailing from the Netherlands, van Lagen will be driving in his first event for the team, but is no stranger to this style of racing having competed in the European and American sports car ranks for years.
“We look forward to representing the colors of the Children’s Tumor Foundation,” stated Patrick Lindsey. “It’s a great cause and a very special feeling when the NF Heroes come to visit our paddock. These families have been through a lot, and if we can give everyone an experience to look forward to, then it’s well worth it to us.”
Competing in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, a supporting race that will headline Saturday’s ticket, will be two different entries in two different categories, both fielded by championship-winning team Compass360 Racing.
Driving in the higher-powered Grand Sport (GS) division will be the No. 76 Subaru WRX STi of drivers Ray Mason and Pierre Kleinubing. As a new program for the team, the four-wheel drive Subaru has already proven a remarkable competitor with an impressive second place finish at Lime Rock Park.
“Watkins Glen should be a very interesting track for our car,” stated driver Ray Mason. “The long straights don't necessarily work to the strengths of the Subaru, but the sweeping corners, technical portions and the finicky weather of Watkins Glen could absolutely play in to our hands. Either way there’s always an extra bit of motivation knowing that you have so many families of affected children rooting you on, and it definitely pushes us that much further.”
Finally, competing in the lower-powered Street Tuner (ST) division will be the No. 75 Honda Civic SI of drivers Kyle Gimple and Ryan Eversley.
“It’s great to know that there will basically always be a CTF car on track to root for,” stated Eversley. “Whether it’s in the TUDOR race or in our series, it’s awesome to know that the kids will always be able to take a seat and cheer someone on. It means everything to me to have the families come by and get an up-close look at everything, and I’m fortunate to be a part of it.”
With several families expected to be in attendance this weekend, the event promises to be a memorable one for all involved. For those unable to attend, the Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen can be found live on FOX Sports 1 this Sunday, June 29 at 11AM EDT. Saturday’s Continental Tire 150 can be found live at 11:35AM via imsa.com, or re-broadcast on Sunday, July 6, via FOX Sports 1 at 10AM.
About Racing4Research
Developed by the Children’s Tumor Foundation, the Racing4Research™ (R4R) program utilizes competitive, professional auto racing as a vehicle to increase awareness of neurofibromatosis (NF) and to 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. The Racing4Research program offers families living with the disorder a uniquely empowering weekend, and has raised more than $3 million dollars since 2008. Learn more at: www.racing4research.org and www.ctf.org
About Compass360 Racing
Compass360 Racing (C360R) is the motorsports division of Compass360 Brand Architects, a Toronto-based firm offering marketing expertise to clients in diverse industries across North America. The team, with support from Honda Performance Development (HPD), fields front-running Honda Civic Si's in IMSA's Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, winning series Championships in 2010, 2009, 2007, and 2006. C360R also won Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car Championships in 2013, 2012, and 2011, and the Canadian Touring Car Championship in 2010. It adds a two-car Subaru WRX STi effort to its programs for 2014, one each in CTSCC GS-class and PWC GTS-class. Learn more at: www.C360R.com
