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BFGoodrich is sponsoring the efforts of three Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) SPEED World Challenge drivers who have banded together to keep busy in the off season while supporting the Wounded Warriors program for the families of injured and deceased military veterans.
Woodhouse Performance driver Jeff Courtney, Auto Analyser driver Andrew Wojteczko and ESX driver Gary Sheehan tackled the daunting 25 Hours of the Dec. 5-7 Thunderhill race on behalf of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF), more commonly known as the Wounded Warriors Foundation.
Accompanying them in the MPME/Team Scion tC race car was ALMS race winner Dave McEntee and Modified Magazine Senior Editor David Pratte. In support of the race, Goodrich supplied the car with its g-Force R1 tires.
“When this talented group of racers asked BFGoodrich to get involved and help support the Wounded Warriors Foundation, we jumped at the chance,” says Roberts Kukainis, brand sponsorship manager. “We have (the company’s) tires on Stryker military vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, our BFGoodrich g-Force R1 tires (donated for the) MPME/Team Scion tC race car can make another contribution to our troops. This is truly a great cause that benefits the men and women of our armed forces who put their lives on the line for our freedom.”
The SOWF’s mission statement speaks to the work they’ve been dedicated to for nearly three decades: “The Special Operations Warrior Foundation provides full scholarship grants and educational and family counseling to the surviving children of Special Operations personnel killed in operational or training missions and provides immediate financial assistance to severely wounded special operations troops and their families.”
“I’d previously heard of the Wounded Warriors Foundation, but it was the work and passion of (BimmerWorld SPEED Touring Car driver) Nick Esayian that inspired me to learn more,” says team owner Marshall Pruett. “Nick put me in contact with the foundation, and with their assistance, everything has come together pretty quickly,” he recounts.
“The Special Forces guys are truly America’s best and brightest. They voluntarily give up careers, income and opportunity in the private sector to go to the darkest places on behalf of this country. When you see brilliant and committed people sacrificing their lives while I’m out worrying about shaving a half second off my lap time, it is humbling. I don’t ever want them to worry about their kids getting the best education.”
With the holidays just around the corner, Pruett hopes racers and their families will be inspired to make donations to help improve the lives of those who’ve lost loved ones that served in the Special Forces. “My father was an Army veteran and my wife is a Marine veteran, and both had the utmost respect for the Special Forces members they knew. The Special Ops personnel ask to be placed in the most hostile encounters imaginable; helping the families of these fallen heroes by reaching into our pockets is an honor.”
Driving for MPME/Team Scion, the three World Challenge pilots ran the 2006 Scion tC adorned with SOWF logos and the Internet address where donations can be made.
“I hope to raise $5,000 for the Wounded Warriors,” says Pruett. “I’m positive that with the support of the World Challenge community and racers throughout the country, we can all make a positive impact on the lives of people that can use our help.”
“Our military Special Operations teams put themselves in the most dire of situations in order to protect the freedoms and ways of life we enjoy every day. We are indebted to these heroes and their families, says Sheehan. “It is a privilege and an honor to race for the families of our fallen heroes that have made the greatest of sacrifices so that we can continue to do the things we love to do.”
For more information, visit www.firstgiving.com/25hrs4woundedwarriors, www.specialops.org and www.bfgoodrichtires.com.
