Archive for the ‘American LeMans Series’ Category

Rare Michelin Tire, Hand Carved for Austin Hatcher Foundation, and American Le Mans GT1 Series Championship winning Corvette Racing Tire on BBS Wheel will be on Display at Michelin on Main store in Greenville, SC

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

24467_389783918562_94562943562_3749398_3301351_nFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ooltewah, TN

Contact: Jenny Stickley  jenny@hatcherfoundation.org

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April 12, 2010:  The Austin Hatcher Foundation’s one-of-a-kind,
hand-carved Michelin tire, along with the rear wheel from the 2007 American LeMans Series GT1 Championship Corvette, is leaving West Palm Beach where it was on display at the GM booth at Barrett Jackson, and moving to Michelin on Main, the official Michelin store in Greenville, SC.  This piece of motorsports history has been touring the country, including stops at SEMA 2009 in Las Vegas, the National Corvette Museum, and the Hall of Legends at the 58th running of the 12 Hours of Sebring in Sebring, FL.  The display will return to the National Corvette Museum before it is auctioned later in the year to raise monies for children and families affected by pediatric cancer.

During the 2009 American Le Mans Series Petit Le Mans race, drivers from
Corvette Racing’s Championship team, Austin Hatcher Foundation guests, and
celebrities had the rare opportunity to help carve this unique tread onto
the Michelin tire, mounted on a BBS wheel at the American Le Mans
Series/Michelin/Corvette Racing “Tire Groove” Event.  The tread, which
showcases the logos of Michelin, Corvette Racing, the American Le Mans
Series, the Austin Hatcher Foundation and the Foundation’s Hatch’s house of
hope, was designed by the tire designers from the Michelin America Research Center.  It made its transformation over the course of the weekend, with many people getting a chance to carve this piece of history. The Corvette Racing rear wheel was provided by Pratt Miller/Corvette Racing and was on the #4 GT1 Corvette during every one of the eleven races the car won during the 2007 American Le Mans Series.

The championship Corvette Team, which boasts six 24 Hours of Le Mans class wins, as well as eight ALMS GT1 Manufacturers Championships and Team Championships and seven ALMS GT1 Drivers Championships. Participating drivers included Antonio Garcia, Jan Magnussen and Johnny O’Connell from the Compuware Corvette C6.R No. 3 and Olivier Beretta, Marcel Fassler and Oliver Gavin from the Compuware Corvette C6.R No. 4 car.  Also taking the time out to make his mark on the tire was Corvette Racing Program Manager and well known Corvette icon, Doug Fehan.

The Austin Hatcher Foundation for a carefree childhood was formed in 2006
after Amy Jo and Jim Osborn lost their infant son Hatch to a rare form of pediatric cancer.  The foundation’s mission is to support research towards the diagnosis, treatment and development of a cure for pediatric cancer, and to provide support and hope to children and families undergoing treatment, as well as those who have lost children due to cancer.  The foundation has developed a landmark group of programs and services essential to help cancer stricken children and their families function within their community.  All services provided by the Foundation are free of charge, funded solely by the generous donations of its supporters.

Hatch’s house of hope is a unique Austin Hatcher Foundation concept designed to empower children and families affected by pediatric cancer to thrive. The landmark cancer care center equips children and their family members with the educational, emotional and social skills necessary to succeed.  Specifically, these services include Problem Solving Skills Training, neurocognitive testing, educational programming to help effected children overcome their cognitive and learning deficits, emotional counseling for the cancer affected child, their siblings and parents, and marital and financial counseling to ensure a safe environment to maximize the family growth as a whole.  All services at Hatch’s are free to its guests, funded entirely by donations.  Erlanger Medical Mall in Chattanooga,
TN, is the site of the first Hatch’s house of hope, which opened September
18, 2009.  This Hatch’s is the model for other Hatch’s in the planning stages nationwide.  For more information, visit www.hatcherfoundation.org or www.hatcherfoundation.org .

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The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón and its teams visit children in support of the Austin Hatcher Foundation

Monday, April 12th, 2010

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2010

Allison Barry, American Le Mans Series, Manager, PR/Media Services, (678) 227-9395, abarry@americanlemans.com

MAKING A CHILD SMILE AT LONG BEACH

The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón and its teams visit children in support of the Austin Hatcher Foundation

The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón and its teams will be visiting children and families dealing with pediatric cancer in conjunction with its official charity, the Austin Hatcher Foundation, at Miller Children’s Hospital, Long Beach Calif.

Taking this time prior to competing – in Saturday’s Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach 100 minute street race – to meet with children and their families at a local hospital is a signature event of the Series.

On Wednesday, April 14, between the hours of 2 pm – 4 pm, professional sports car drivers Johnny Mowlem, David Robertson and Andrea Robertson will be spending time with children teaching them how to race the digital circuits featured on Xbox’s Forza Motorsports 3 while also enjoying games presented in Series-made activity books. The goal is to provide children an opportunity to “strap” into their own driver’s seat and lead them by courage to victory.

Additionally, it is an opportunity to share stories of personal and professional triumphs to instill strength and determination in others.

For Johnny Mowlem, he can share his story of becoming the first to race a gas-electric hybrid in Series competition in 2009; he can also mention his latest venture which includes piloting a new LMPC entry with PR1/Mathiasen in 2010.

For Guy Cosmo – his performance in the GTC class in 2009 secured him a season-long position with Extreme Speed Motorsports alongside CEO of Patrón Spirits Ed Brown.

For the Robertsons, they can share how they are one of two husband-and-wife teams in Series history to race together; they can also mention that they are the only team to pilot a female driver for a full 2010 season.

Overall, however, it is an opportunity to make a child smile.

Would you be okay with this slight change: “The Austin Hatcher Foundation is a great charity,” remarked Mowlem. “I have two children of my own and I understand how priceless it can be to help make a child happy.”

Austin Hatcher Foundation and the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón: Since 2006, the Austin Hatcher Foundation has touched the lives of over 750 children and families in 10 cities and seven states around the United States.  Throughout the upcoming season, that tradition continues as the Series actively participates through hospital visits, as well as by raising money and awareness for the Austin Hatcher Foundation through direct donations, Web and trackside merchandise sales, online race memorabilia, auctions, sales of limited- production American Le Mans Series/Austin Hatcher Foundation co-branded gear and through trackside diversionary therapy events centered around selected races. www.hatcherfoundation.org

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Teams and drivers of the American Le Mans Series share the racing experience with children and their families dealing with pediatric cancer in support of the Austin Hatcher Foundation.

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

2010_ALMS_Primary_A

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bob Dickinson, American Le Mans Series, Vice President, PR/Media Services, (678) 425-5869, radickinson@americanlemans.com
Allison Barry, American Le Mans Series, Manager, PR/Media Services, (678) 227-9395, abarry@americanlemans.com

Outreach in Orlando

Teams and drivers of the American Le Mans Series share the racing experience with children and their families dealing with pediatric cancer in support of the Austin Hatcher Foundation.

For the fifth consecutive season, the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón will visit local children’s hospitals within its race cities in support of its official charity, the Austin Hatcher Foundation.

Throughout 2010 and in support of its long standing relationship with the Foundation, Series’ teams and drivers will visit – for its second year – the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, March 13, between 11am-12:30pm prior to competing at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida.
The visit will feature appearances by such drivers as Johnny O’Connell from Corvette Racing who boasts the record for the most career starts in the Series, Patrón Spirits Company CEO and Extreme Speed Motorsports’ Ferrari pilot, Ed Brown, 27-year old JaguarRSR driver and recent 24 Hours of Daytona winner Ryan Dalziel and Cooper Tires Prototype Lites contender and Inspire Motorsports’ driver Gary Gibson.
During the visit, drivers will be handing out gifts such as autographed hero cards, Series-made activity books and bubbles, the universal symbol for the Austin Hatcher Foundation, as well as playing a Forza race car video game with the children dealing with pediatric cancer.
Since 2006, the Austin Hatcher Foundation has touched the lives of over 750 children and families in 10 cities and seven states around the United States.Throughout the upcoming season, that tradition continues as the Series actively participates through hospital visits, as well as by raising money and awareness for the Austin Hatcher Foundation through direct donations, Web and trackside merchandise sales, online race memorabilia, auctions, sales of limited-production American Le Mans Series/Austin Hatcher Foundation co-branded gear and through trackside diversionary therapy events centered around selected races.

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AMERICAN LEMANS/AUSTIN HATCHER FOUNDATION

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

SEBRING UNVEILS EVENT POSTER FOR 2010 RACE
Plus Atherton at hybrid symposium, Corvette’s 2010 lineup
and Austin Hatcher Foundation news

Sebring International Raceway has unveiled the poster for the 58th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. America’s greatest sports car race runs on Saturday, March 20th, kicking-off the 2010 American Le Mans Series season.

Painted by motorsports artist Roger Warrick, the poster features three of the leading teams competing in this year’s American Le Mans Series entering Cunningham Corner (Turn 10): The Drayson Racing Lola, Patrón Highcroft Racing Honda Performance Development ARX-01c and the new JaguarRSR Jaguar XKR GT. Sebring posters have been produced since the first Sebring 12-hour classic in 1952, and many have become valuable collectibles.

Tickets to the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida are available by calling 800-626-7223 or visiting Sebringraceway.com. Gates open at 6 am on Wednesday, March 17, and remain open 24 hours a day through Saturday. The green flag will fall at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED.

ATHERTON TO TALK HYBRIDS: American Le Mans Series President and CEO Scott Atherton will be the keynote luncheon speaker Wednesday, February 10 at the SAE 2010 Hybrid Vehicle Technologies Symposium in San Diego.

The symposium, which is to be held at San Diego Mission Valley’s Doubletree Hotel, addresses the latest technical innovations in electric drives, motors, energy storage and system engineering from the innovators of hybrid technology. The event includes presentations from leading experts around the globe as well as participation in specialized panel discussions on topics pertinent within the hybrid vehicle industry.

The American Le Mans Series, recognized as the Global Leader in Green Racing, introduced the first modern-day hybrid prototype race car to its circuit last season with Corsa Motorsports’ E10/electric hybrid-powered Ginetta-Zytek. Corsa’s hybrid will be on display at the symposium.

Johnny Mowlem: “This is ultimately helping road cars and road car technology forward.”

“This is ultimately helping road cars and road car technology forward,” said Johnny Mowlem, who helped dbut the Corsa hybrid this season. “What we are looking to do is to move the technology forward, and nothing moves technology forward faster than racing. You only have to look back at the things that have come out of racing – seatbelts, disc brakes, ABS, traction control systems and others. Like everything else, this will eventually benefit road cars.”

Corvette Racing announced that Emmanuel Collard will be joining the team for Sebring, Le Mans and Petit Le Mans this year.

CORVETTE’S LINEUP: Corvette Racing announced a revised lineup for its endurance program in 2010, adding former Porsche works driver Emmanuel Collard for Sebring, Le Mans and Petit Le Mans. The Frenchman will drive with Olivier Beretta and Oliver Gavin in one of the team’s Corvette C6.Rs in GT2.

Johnny O’Connell and Jan Magnussen will be in the other car for the full American Le Mans Series season with Antonio Garcia driving with them at the three enduros. The trio won in GT1 at Sebring and Le Mans last season.

“We are pleased and honored that the new GT2 Corvette C6.R has been invited by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest to compete in the world’s most prestigious sports car race,” said GM Racing manager Mark Kent. “Our objective is to carry forward Corvette’s legacy of success as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Corvette’s first participation at Le Mans. This year’s race will certainly be a challenge because of the depth and quality of the competition in the GT2 division. The entries represent the world’s most storied sports car brands and underscore the relevance and value of racing production-based cars.”

AUSTIN HATCHER NEWS: The Austin Hatcher Foundation – the official charity of the American Le Mans Series – recently announced that it is celebrating another banner year. Since its founding in 2006, AHF has seen contributions double each year and tripled the number of donation events it holds annually.

The Foundation, started in 2006, has touched the lives of 750 children and families in 10 cities and seven states around the U.S. The American Le Mans Series has contributed in “writing happy endings”, specifically with driver hospital visits in race cites over the last two years. This will continue in 2010 as 13 affiliate hospitals will support the Foundation.

During the next four years, the American Le Mans Series will raise money and awareness for the Austin Hatcher Foundation through direct donations, Web and trackside merchandise sales, online race memorabilia, auctions, sales of limited-production American Le Mans Series/Austin Hatcher Foundation co-branded gear and through trackside diversionary therapy events centered around selected races.

Click here for more information on the American Le Mans Series’ partnership with the Austin Hatcher Foundation.

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AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES RAISES MORE THAN $172,000 FOR AUSTIN HATCHER FOUNDATION DURING 2009 SEASON

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

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The Austin Hatcher Foundation and the American LeMans Series could not have been happier with the results of the inaugural year of their partnership as the official charity of the Series.  In the first year of its five-year partnership  the American Le Mans Series raised more than $172,000 in goods, services and monetary donations for the Foundation Series’ drivers and corporate partners donated their time throughout the entire 2009 season, visiting local children’s hospitals at many race sites throughout the country and participating in the Foundation’s diversionary therapy events at the track in Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Utah and California.. Such events touched the lives of more than 400 children and families.

 

The American Le Mans Series’ partnership with the Foundation also played a key role in establishing and opening the Foundation’s first Hatch’s house of hope, a family focused cancer care center located in Chattanooga, TN.  Throughout the year, the relationships cultured through the Series and its partners made a lasting impact with long reaching effects on the Foundation’s goal of eradicating the effects of pediatric cancer. 

 

“The Austin Hatcher Foundation would like to thank the American Le Mans Series, its drivers and partners for their dedicated and unwavering support and for helping to make a difference in the lives of many families suffering from the effects of pediatric cancer, “said Dr. Jim Osborn, Executive Director of the Foundation and co-founder along with his wife, Amy Jo.”

 

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Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

Austin Hatcher Foundation Official News

PRESS RELEASE   July 27, 2009

Ooltewah, TN

Contact; Becky Pace 423.834.4443, becky@hatcherfoundation.org

 

Austin Hatcher Foundation and American Le Mans Series visit Nationwide Children’s Hospital for Diversionary Therapy and to Promote Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month

Columbus Ohio (Wednesday, August 5, 2009): On the way to Round 6 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, drivers from the world famous American Le Mans Series visited the Nationwide Children’s hospital in Columbus Ohio. Along for the visit were the Lowes Fernandez ARX-0lb Prototype race car, the BMW Advanced Diesel Technology Road car, and the Michelin Man. Drivers in attendance included Joey Hand ( Rahal-Letterman Racing), Ben Devlin (Dyson Racing) and Klaus Graf (Cytosport). After touring the Hospital, drivers from the Series visited Children and Families being treated at the Hospital as a Diversionary Therapy program which is designed to help restore hope, health and happiness to those hospitalized. The event also served to promote Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month (September) and the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer www.hatcherfoundation.org, the American Le Mans Series Official Charity.   “The visit to Nationwide Children’s Hospital marks the 5th Diversionary Therapy Program we have had with the American Le mans Series this year” said Jim Osborn, Co-Founder of the Austin Hatcher Foundation. “This year, with the American Le Mans Series, we have brought diversionary therapy programs to Orlando and Sebring Florida, Salt Lake City and Tooele Utah. It is an amazing program that has significant impact on everyone involved; the Series drivers, patients and the patient’s family.”

 Following the hospital visit American Le Mans Series in conjunction with Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lowe’s Home Improvement and Michelin a “Green Park” was created by planting trees in Columbus’s Livingston Park across from the Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is Ohio’s premier motorsports destination, located in Lexington, OH, just 60 miles North of Columbus.  The track, which can be configured as either a 2.4-mile 15-turn circuit or a 2.25-mile 13-turn circuit, is home to locally, regionally and nationally sanction racing events for amateur, club and professional drivers, as well as motorcycle riders.  The course is also home to the Mid-Ohio School, which offers a wide range of courses on racing to corporate or group entertainment.  Both the course and the school are owned and operated by TrueSports, Incorporated, a privately held motorsports entertainment enterprise. 

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TOUR DE ROAD AMERICA PARTNERS WITH THE AUSTIN HATCHER FOUNDATION

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

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On Friday, August 14, American Le Mans Series drivers and teams, fans and families, and local cyclists and cancer survivors will take to the famous 4.0 mile Road America auto racing circuit to do their part in the fight against cancer.  Following last year’s success, the Tour de Road America Foundation has expanded its scope to recognize the Series’ official charity – theAustin Hatcher Foundation - as its latest beneficiary.  

For the third consecutive year, the Tour de Road America Foundation will be partnering with the American Le Mans Series during the Road America 500 race weekend. 

Destined to facilitate children and families dealing with pediatric cancer, the Austin Hatcher Foundation’s President Jim Osborne proudly accepts the recognition and invitation. 

“Excited is the only word for it,” Osborne rejoiced.  “The Tour de Road America event does a phenomenal job increasing awareness and raising funds for children and families in need, and we are proud to be a co-recipient of such kindness and generosity. 

“Tour de Road America not only welcomes families but fosters participation, so much so that we take to heart this chance to meet local families around the Road America area and offer our services.”

Joining the ranks of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the late Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic as beneficiaries, George Siegle, President of the Tour de Road America Foundation, is equally inspired.  

“It was a natural fit to partner with Jim and Amy Jo Osborn and their foundation,” said Siegle. “With their connection to the American Le Mans Series, motorsports roots, and their incredible determination in turning a personal tragedy into small victories in the long-term fight against cancer, we just couldn’t ignore the opportunity to join forces.” 

Formed in 2004, a group of motorsports fans led by cyclists Siegle and Dave Racine decided to contact Road America officials and the Lance Armstrong Foundation about their initiative. When almost 400 participants showed up for the first ride and raised over $18,000, Siegle and Racine decided to make it a certified event in 2007. Officially forming the Tour de Road America Foundation to host the neighborhood track ride, which welcomes the local community to ride alongside their favorite sports car racing heroes, Siegle noted that they aspire to expand their reach and increase their fundraising goal to $40,000 in 2009.
 
This family-friendly event begins at approximately 6:30 P.M. on Friday, August 14 following the day’s auto racing activities. The ride is open to cyclists of all abilities and all kinds of bikes. 

A silent auction of one-of-a-kind motorsports memorabilia and local items will also be taking place on Saturday and Sunday, August 15 and 16, culminating just before the start of the American Le Mans Series’ Road America 500 on Sunday afternoon.

The Tour de Road America – Bike Ride to Fight Cancer presented by Delta Dental is organized by the Tour de Road America Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with an all-volunteer staff. Since 2004, it has raised over $120,000 for event beneficiaries the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and the Austin Hatcher Foundation. The Tour de Road America is made possible by the generous support of Road America, the American Le Mans Series and other racing series, Delta Dental, Giordana Cycling Apparel, Gear Grinder, JHG Benefits, Bella’s Custom Design, Tria Design and Marketing, Marketing Acuity, and many other businesses and individuals. For more information on the Tour de Road America, to register for the ride, or to make a contribution, visit www.pelotonride.org.

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Mikimoto Partners with American Le Mans Series to help raise money for the Austin Hatcher Foundation

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

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In March of 2009, The American Le Mans Series announced MIKIMOTO, one of the world’s premier jewelry brands, as a sponsor for the 2009 season.  MIKIMOTO also plans to help raise money for the Series’ official charity, the Austin Hatcher Foundation. 

 

During the season, MIKIMOTO will be showcasing a collection of its renowned jewelry at American Le Mans Series VIP events as well as through its exclusive network of high quality jewelry retailers.  Monies raised from the sale of selected pieces will be donated to the Austin Hatcher Foundation.

 

Events have been held in conjunction with the American Le Mans Series Races at Sebring, Florida, Long Beach California and Salt Lake City, Utah.  Future events will be held at races in Columbus, Ohio and Brasselton, Georgia. For more information on the American Le Mans Series and the MIKIMOTO pearls visit www.americanlemans.com

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American Le Mans drivers visit the children’s hospital

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

Three American Le Mans Series drivers made a special visit to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Fla., in conjunction with the 57th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. In the city where “dreams come true,” a Disney-themed visiting area welcomed Dyson Racing LMP2 driver Ben Devlin and GT2 husband-and-wife team Andrea and David Robertson from Robertson Racing to meet some extraordinary race fans.

Supporting the Austin Hatcher Foundation, the official charity of the American Le Mans Series, Devlin and the Robertsons walked the floors of the children’s hospital to meet dozens of children and their families dealing with pediatric cancer and to help spread the hope for a cure.

“In racing you always have both good days and bad days.” Devlin said to the children as he would pass out wrist bands with the heartening Mazda motto – The Will To Never Give up. “We wear this to remind us to never give up and we always hope for a better tomorrow.”

Devlin and the Robertsons signed autographs and took photos with the children throughout the ward for several hours. At its conclusion, the Series and the Austin Hatcher Foundation invited all families to attend the Sebring 12 Hours presented by Fresh from Florida to see Devlin, the Robertsons and other sports car drivers go fast and race live.

The Austin Hatcher Foundation and the American Le Mans Series
In an effort to help support children and families dealing with issues resulting from pediatric cancer, the American Le Mans Series has partnered with the Austin Hatcher Foundation as an official charity of the Series. During each season, many of the world’s top sports car drivers will visit pediatric wards in various race markets nationwide to directly interact and support the children with pediatric cancer and their families. 

The Austin Hatcher Foundation was founded by Dr. Jim Osborn and wife Amy Jo after the loss of their two-month-old son “Hatch” to a rare form of cancer.

 

http://www.americanlemans.com/index_news.php?n=12654

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