 |
 |
|
|
|
| Buy From The Tire Rack And Support JustRacing.com! | |
Read more...
|  |
|
|
|
Return to Features
Charity Motorsports Group Supports The Lance Amstrong Foundation in 2007
By Aaron Nichols, Charity Motorsports Group
JustRacing.com is proud to assist the efforts of Charity Motorsports Group in their quest to support The Lance Armstrong Foundation by raising funds to empower people fighting cancer.
Charity Motorsports Group, Inc. (CMG) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in San Mateo, California. Founded by long time motor sport competitor, Aaron Nichols, CMG participates in various motor sport competitions and events to spread the message of its premiere partner, The Lance Armstrong Foundation (The LAF). Through their partnership with The LAF, CMG raises funds to assist in the efforts that inspire and empower people with cancer and those that have chosen to take up the fight against it. For its first year of partnership with The LAF, CMG has set an aggressive goal of raising $100,000 dollars for the foundation to assist in research and medical care for those affected by cancer.
So how was the idea for Charity Motorsports Group born? We'll let CMG Founder and Driver, Aaron Nichols, explain how the concept came about. Aaron grew up on the beaches of Santa Cruz, California. After discovering a passion for motor sports he began amateur motorcycle road racing in the early 1990s. Aaron soon rose in the local rankings and transitioned to a successful professional racing career in the American Motorcycle Association's 250 Grand Prix class.
In 1999 Aaron hung up the helmet to pursue his entrepreneurial goals and strengthen his business skills. After six years of successfully navigating the dot-com world, Aaron came full circle and established Charity Motorsports Group, Inc. Fueled by his new found love for automobile racing and the desire to use motor sports as a vehicle to make a difference for a cause, Aaron partnered with the Lance Armstrong Foundation's Grassroots Program.
"Throughout my racing career I have always been amazed at the amount of money that companies and fans will pour into supporting a particular driver/team/commercial product. At the same time I have always wondered why none of these entities use this same vehicle to help those in need. Many charitable organizations enjoy national exposure through their relationship with the NFL, Major League Baseball and other professional sports organizations but this aspect of philanthropy seems to be absent from the motor sports world. This is why I created CMG.
Specifically I wanted to lend help to the fight against cancer. Partnering with The Lance Armstrong Foundation for this seemed only natural. I, like many, was inspired by the amazing story of Lance Armstrong. People have been touched and inspired by Lance's story and automatically think of him when the word cancer survivor is mentioned and we all know how successful The LAF has been in helping other cancer patients.
Having been indirectly affected by cancer and knowing full well of the worldwide threat this disease poses to humanity, I wanted to somehow contribute to the fight against this epidemic. Of course, I was drawn to the huge machine against cancer that had become Lance Armstrong and LAF. If this guy, who can pretty much do whatever he wants with his life, can use this celebrity to do good.....to help others beat this disease as he did.....to give back, what can I do? How can I help?? Well, I may not be a celebrity or a wealthy individual but I can help spread the word. I may not be able to perform research or create new medicines but I can help build awareness and raise funds for those that can do this research. I may not have all the resources of the LAF but I can help them continue on. Although BMW CCA may not be the equivalent of the NFL in the motor sports world, it is a start. Hopefully, and it seems to be the case so far, this venture I have created will catch on and we can grow the exposure into other racing series."
For the 2007 BMW CCA season, CMG will campaign a BMW e46 M3. The car is being engineered and maintained exclusively by Evosport, Inc of Huntington Beach, California. Having participated in Evosport's "arrive-and-drive" program in 2006 in an e36 M3, Aaron felt Evosport's knowledge and success in BMW tuning/racing made them the perfect partner for 2007.
"Brad and the guys at Evosport have been great. They really produce top quality work. A lot of the teams I raced with/against professionally in the AMA were not as well prepared as Brad's crew. The decision to have them build my e46 M3 was a no-brainer. Not only that, these guys know how to have fun too, which is just as important as winning. We are like a little family out there at the track and it is a great feeling."
Many of auto racing's top companies have also signed on to help CMG. Just this month alone has seen Rotora, Powerchip, and Toyo Tires step up and more are expected. Auto Kennel and Just Racing.com are also doing their part.
"It's a great feeling to have these organizations help. We all know racing is not cheap and anything they can do to help us focus on our job or winning races and raising donations is SO appreciated!"
In today's world it seems that nearly everyone we know has been affected by cancer in some way, either directly or indirectly. Whether we are battling this disease ourselves or have needed to be there for a loved one who is in the fight of their own life, cancer, it seems, is everywhere. CMG is hoping to help educate the motor sport community on the advances being made against this disease and to convince that community to open their hearts and pocket books and assist The LAF in its continued success in fighting this disease.
Cancer Facts*
- More than 10 million Americans are currently living with, through or beyond cancer
- More than 1.3 million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer this year
- Of adults diagnosed with cancer today, 64% will be alive five years from now
- One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime
- With every second of 2006 two Americans were diagnosed with cancer and one died. That is like re-living the horror of 9/11 every two days for the entire year!
*Copyright the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
For more information on CMG visit their website – www.charitymotorsports.org – or contact them directly at the following:
Charity Motorsports Group, Inc.
3555 S. El Camino Real, #402
San Mateo, CA 94403-3415
510-300-5255 - phone
510-578-7652 - fax
contactus@charitymotorsports.org
Charity Motorsports Group, Inc. is a recognized partner of the Lance Armstrong Foundation through its Grassroots Fundraising program. They enjoy the support of the following organizations – Evosport Inc., Rotora, Toyo Tires, Powerchip, Inc.
|
Posted On 3/29/07
 Del.icio.us
This story has been read 48579 time(s).
Return to Features
|
|
|
|
All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Design by PercyDesign,
California. |
|
© 2004 - 2007 JustRacing. No part of this
website may be reproduced without express written permission of JustRacing. |
|
|
