The Racing Dreamz Foundation iRacing Charity Race Series
September 5th, 2011 by DavidP
Professional racing organizations such as NASCAR, GRAND-AM and INDYCAR are full of racers and team owners who use their talents and their audience to give something back to society. Money is raised for charity in all forms of motorsports so those less fortunate can have a fighting chance at some of the things most of us take for granted.
Now the Racing Dreamz Foundation and iRacing are joining forces to enable the sim racing community to give something back doing something they already love to do. That is, to race!
The Racing Dreamz Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Elizabethton, TN, with chapters planned in Southern California and Middle Tennessee. The organization’s mission is to guide underprivileged, disaffected, disabled and sick children toward a life of responsibility, stability, teamwork and happiness.
“The Racing Dreamz Foundation gives disadvantaged children the opportunity to learn important life lessons and live their dreams from behind the steering wheel of a dirt track race kart and through an asphalt race program, as well as racing simulators,” says founder Ben Jones. “We use racing to bring joy and hope to these youngsters and provide direction by giving them an opportunity to live a dream or discover a new direction in life.”
“We give hope to children who may think they have no options for a future and to bring joy to others for whom life is too brief.” – Ben Jones.
Racing Dreamz Foundation programs also utilize Cross Karts and Sprint Karts to teach children the mechanical skills related to the construction and maintenance of the racing vehicles and, perhaps most important of all, team-building skills. This builds self esteem and confidence that should help these children in later-life endeavors . . . or just bring a smile to the faces of those who are terminally ill.
“We give hope to children who may think they have no options for a future and to bring joy to others for whom life is too brief,” says Jones.
In October and November, iRacing and the Foundation will stage the Racing Dreamz Foundation iRacing Charity Race Series, a series of races that will raise money for the Racing Dreamz Foundation. All proceeds go to the Racing Dreamz Foundation and, while donations are not required to participate, iRacing is urging its 30,000+ members to follow the lead of the professional race teams and drivers by giving back to the sim racing community so that under privileged children can experience what iRacers already enjoy.
The Racing Dreamz Foundation iRacing Series is a four race program with fixed setups which will be promoted on inRacingNews. Race One (October 8th) will feature the Impala Class B on the 2.5 mile Daytona International Speedway oval. Race Two (October 22nd) will be in the Mazda MX-5 (Cup and Roadster) at legendary Lime Rock Park, while Race Three (November 9th) will feature the Ford GT at Spa-Francorchamps. The final race of the series will feature a car and track selected by the individual who has raised the most money for this series.
The official iRacing/Racing Dreamz logo is available for download on the Foundation’s web site, and iRacers are encouraged to show their support by painting the logo on their cars throughout the iRacing service to generate awareness of the series.
So get ready to have some fun and support an important cause in the bargain!
For more information on the Racing Dreamz Foundation and the Racing Dreamz Foundation iRacing Series, please visit www.racingdreamz.org.