Charity starts in the blog. Isn’t that what they always say? So here are a couple pieces of information on some worthy causes that you — the motorsports fan — can support.
— The first is from the Wings fo Life Charity Auction that is auctioning off a bunch of autographed goodies from various Red Bull stars:
Only a few more days remain to bid on a two-wheel ride with Travis Pastrana, a day of drifting with Rhys Millen or sitting shotgun with Brian Vickers. All are Red Bull athletes, and all will give the highest bidder the experience of a lifetime.
The first Wings for Life Charity Auction on Ebay ends March 30. Among the items up for bid include a Formula One car and Dakar Rally-winning KTM bike. It doesn’t end there, so visit http://members.ebay.at/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=wingsforlifefoundation.
The Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation is a privately funded, non-profit organization that promotes research worldwide to find a putative cure for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Paralysis. Visit wingsforlife.com.
— On the NASCAR front, the route for the 14th annual motorcycle ride founded by Kyle Petty was announced yesterday. The event takes place this year on July 13 through the 20th.
Riders, start your engines! The Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America has announced the route for its 14th annual motorcycle ride, to take place July 13-20, 2008. NASCAR driver and Charity Ride founder Kyle Petty will lead a field of more than 250 riders as they wind their way from the Midwest to the Deep South in an effort to raise awareness of and funds for Victory Junction Gang Camp and other children’s charities.
Riders will depart from Traverse City, Mich., on July 13, making overnight stops in Elkhart Lake, Wis.; Lombard, Ill.; Lexington, Ky.; White Sulfur Springs, W.Va.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Peachtree City, Ga., before reaching Savannah, Ga., their final destination, on July 19.
Since the Charity Ride’s inception in 1995, 5,700 participants have logged more than 7.2 million cumulative motorcycle miles and donated more than $10.5 million to Victory Junction Gang Camp and other charities that support chronically ill children. Petty and his wife, Pattie, founded the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, N.C., in 2004. The year-round camp serves children, ages 7 to 15, with a variety of health issues that would typically prevent them from attending camp. The camp operates solely on the donations of corporations, organizations and individuals. The Pettys recently announced the opening of a second Victory Junction Gang Camp in Wyandotte County, Kan.
“Pattie and I are constantly amazed and inspired by the dedication of our riders, sponsors and fans,” said Petty. “These companies and individuals are truly committed to bettering the lives of deserving children and their families. We’re looking forward to another great event – and more incredible results!”
For more information go to: www.kylepettycharityride.com and www.victoryjunction.org
— Don’t forget! NASCAR Day is on Friday, May 16th. Get your pins today!
