NEW YORK — The Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) Racing4Research (R4R) program will extend its highly successful “Art Car” effort with a full-season in the Pirelli World Challenge. Building on momentum begun at Daytona and Sebring earlier this year, the charity has partnered with Compass360 Racing (C360R), which fields cars in both GTS and TC classes.
The cars will feature livery inspired by a signature piece of artwork from highly-acclaimed artist and NF Hero Jeffrey Owen Hanson (www.JeffreyOwenHanson.com). The 20-year-old philanthropic artist is visually impaired from an optic nerve tumor related to neurofibromatosis – known simply as NF – that is a common yet under- recognized genetic disorder that can cause tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. NF affects one in every 3,000 people, more than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Huntington’s disease combined. The Children’s Tumor Foundation actively supports research into treatments and a cure for NF by bringing academics, scientists, clinicians, and companies together to work in collaboration towards an end to neurofibromatosis.
“We’re really excited to extend our Art Car program for the remainder of the racing season, and to continue our relationship with Compass360 Racing,” remarked R4R Program Director, Jill Beck. “Our cars will be on the track at eight World Challenge weekends, starting in Birmingham this weekend, and then in New Jersey, Wisconsin, Toronto twice, Ohio, Minnesota, and closing out the season in Salt Lake City.”
Hanson has developed an unmistakable signature style. Inspired by travel, his heavily textured artwork hangs in the homes of art collectors the world over, including Sir Elton John, Warren Buffett, and Susan Sarandon. The original painting that is the model for the C360R cars’ livery has been donated by Jeff to the Children’s Tumor Foundation and will be auctioned off at the charity’s annual Benefit Gala, which takes place October 30, 2014 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
Long-time CTF advocate and team pro driver Ryan Eversley will take the helm of the #70 GTS-class Subaru WRX STi at Birmingham’s Barber Motorsports Park, while Team Principal Karl Thomson will pilot the #72 TC-class Honda Civic Si.
“I’m really thrilled to be able to race one of the team’s new Subarus in support of the Children’s Tumor Foundation,” enthused Eversley. “Birmingham is a major center for research into NF, and we’re expecting to have a lot of local support cheering for us this weekend.”
In addition to benefiting those who live with NF, CTF-funded research is shedding new light on several forms of cancer, brain tumors, bone abnormalities, and learning disabilities, ultimately benefiting the broader community. Donations to the Children’s Tumor Foundation’s Racing4Research program can be made at http://Racing4Research.org.
Racing action at Barber Motorsports Park begins Thursday, April 24th, with races for both GTS and TC taking place on Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th. Races will be televised, tape-delayed, on NBC Sports, and live streaming will be available at http://www.world-challenge.com.
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.
For details please visit http://racing4research.org, “Like” the R4R Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/racing4research, and follow https://twitter.com/Racing4Research on Twitter.
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 Grand-Am’s Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, winning series Championships in 2010, 2009, 2007, and 2006. C360R also won 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 CTSCC program for 2014. For details please visit http://C360R.com, “Like” on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/C360R, and follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/C360R.
CTF PR inquiries should be directly Jill Beck. +1.408.206.2479 or jbeck@ctf.org
C360R PR inquiries should be directed to Karl Thomson. +1.416.465.2299 x21 or karl@compass360.com.
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