(Homestead, FL) -- It's a magical moment when you see a child's eyes light up with excitement in a moment of wonder. It's even more special when that moment is shared with a child that is battling a serious illness. That moment is a brief respite from a world filled with doctors, tests, and the desire to just be a "normal kid."
At Homestead-Miami Speedway this past weekend, the Children's Tumor Foundation hosted a number of families with children living with neurofibromatosis (NF) as the latest of Racing4Research's fundraising efforts. It was the kick-off weekend of a full-season program with 2009 and 2010 Grand-Am champions Compass360 Racing, and by all accounts it was a tremendous success.
"We were thrilled to welcome fifteen kids and their families to the track this weekend," enthused Jill Beck, Program Director at CTF. "Some of our top local fundraisers came as well, and it was fabulous to be a part of such an exciting race weekend.
"Compass360's #75 Honda prominently featured the iconic CTF "Puzzle Piece" logo on its livery, and the other three team cars also carried CTF logos. "Our goal is to raise awareness and help with fundraising," explained C360R Team Principal Karl Thomson. "The 75 car ran up front for the entire race, and we're hoping people watching the race will be moved to donate when they see how important the research CTF supports is.
"The #75 car, driven by Keith Carroll and Ryan Eversley, was in the running for a podium spot for much of the race, and ended up a solid fifth after a thrilling race to the checkered flag. "It's an honour to be our racing in support of the Children's Tumor Foundation this year," remarked Eversley. "All kids are special, but when you see these children, dealing with the hand they've been given, and how they're just like any other kids that are so excited about being at the race track and to sit in our race car, it gives me even more motivation to give CTF their first Grand-Am podium!
"The Miami race is the second of ten this season, with the next being in Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park near Birmingham on April 8-9. CTF guests will be there with Compass360, and you're encouraged to donate at http://racing4research.org/.
The Grand-Am Homestead 200 race will be broadcast, tape-delayed on SPEED Channel on March 19th at 2:00pm.
Founded in 1978, The Children's Tumor Foundation is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of more than 100,000 Americans living with neurofibromatosis (NF). The charity's research program has played a key role in the discovery of the genes that cause NF, understanding the biology of NF, creation of the NF Clinic Network, and preclinical screening of drug compounds that appear promising in treating the disorder. Donations can be made at http://racing4research.org/.
Compass360 Racing (C360R) is the motorsports division of Compass360 Branding Communications, a firm offering marketing expertise to clients in diverse industries across North America. The team, with support from Honda Performance Development (HPD), fields four front-running Honda Civic Si's in Grand-Am's Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, and won series Championships in 2010, 2009 and 2007. The team also won the Canadian Touring Car Championship in 2010. For details visit http://c360r.com/.
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