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Short Track
Drivers to Race Against Child Abuse Everywhere
By: Gene Ostrowski
March 18, 2009
From the flat
1/3-mile asphalt oval at Sundance Vacations Speedway to the ¼-mile
circle at Mahoning Valley Speedway and the 5/8-mile track in Oswego,
NY, two close friends, Todd Baer of Palmerton and Mike Sweeney of
Nesquehoning do battle in their stock cars. Although their primary
goal is to win on the track, their ultimate accomplishment is to
help prevent child sexual abuse, which is why the two drivers
recently teamed up with the RAACE (Racing Against Child Abuse
Everywhere) Foundation.
Like a family, most short track racers tend to stick together,
especially when they’re away from the race track. Family is
important and each and every time a driver straps on his or her
helmet to compete on the speedway, they keep their family in mind
and hope for a great and safe race. Those family fundamentals are
what helped propel RAACE, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization that is dedicated to eliminating the epidemic of child
sexual abuse by raising public awareness on the national level.
The
foundation was designed to promote awareness through the sport of
auto racing and as the foundation’s popularity grew, so has the
awareness of abuse.
That’s where area “hot shoes” come in to play.
Asphalt modified driver, Todd Baer, heard of the organization and
recently jumped onboard. Baer feels that promoting child sexual
abuse awareness isn’t only important, but he also thinks that the
way the charity does it through racing is beneficial to both the
parents and the children at the race track.
“I think that this is great”, said Baer. “If this (the awareness
program) only helps one child from being abused or helps educate one
parent about child sexual abuse prevention, then it’s a winner”
Mike Sweeney, an asphalt late model champion agrees. “I feel the
same way”. What better way to promote the organization than through
racing”, he said.
Both drivers were the first of their class in asphalt racing to be
signed through the organization and they both feel that it is
important for more drivers across the nation to take a look at what
information the foundation has to offer for race fans, both young in
age and young at heart.
Baer’s son, Nicholas is even involved with the organization. The
11-year-old races quarter midgets with the Keystone State Quarter
Midget Club and his car carries the RAACE banner and colors.
Neither driver knew what the horrific statistics were until they
learned more about the charity.
“I never realized that the statistics were so high- it’s crazy”,
said Sweeney.
Baer agreed and said, “We’ve already learned a lot from the
organization and look forward to working with them and promoting
them by advertising them on our race cars”.
The statistics mentioned are true and are hardly believable. One
in three girls and one in seven boys will be sexually abused.
Still, the subject of child sexual abuse is generally unspoken of,
yet it lurks in the shadows and haunts the minds of abused children
that never spoke up.
According to the RAACE website and Brad Brickel, the foundation’s
outreach director, until every child is safe from sexual abuse,
their race has no finish line. The RAACE Foundation was created in
response to the knowledge that child sexual abuse is tragically
destructive, very common and is totally preventable. Sadly, child
sexual abuse is often referred to as a “silent
epidemic”.
The RAACE Foundation believes that the
first step to prevention is awareness in the Race Against Abuse of
Children Everywhere.
The
main goal of the foundation is, with the help of racers and fans, to
educate adults so no other child has to suffer from sexual abuse.
The foundation’s efforts will not cease until its ultimate goal has
been fulfilled, which is to totally eliminate child sexual abuse
everywhere.
Both, Baer and Sweeney plan to pass out flyers at each track that
they attend this season, Including Sundance Vacations Speedway in
St. Johns, Pa. The track has plans of hosting at least one RAACE
event this season.
In an effort to help promote RAACE, the Lehigh Valley Grand Prix
will help celebrate Child Abuse Awareness Month, which is in April.
The go-kart facility in Allentown, Pa is hosting a celebrity indoor
kart race on Thursday, April 16th from 5-10 PM. Todd
Baer and Mike Sweeney will be in competition, as will Tony
Hirschman, a five-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver. Tony’s
son Matt, who finished a close second place in the tour points
standings last season will also be in action, as will Jeff Strunk
and Earl Paules. Many other popular racers are scheduled to compete
as well.
There will be a 28-car starting grid and two seats in a race car
will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The proceeds will go
directly to the foundation and the two highest bidders will go
directly into the main event to compete with his or her favorite
short track stars.
Aside from all of the race action, the Lehigh Valley’s best
“Chili Cook-off” will take place and there will also be live music
and prizes, plus fans will be able to receive autographs from their
favorite driver or drivers that are in competition.
For more information about the RAACE Foundation, please visit
www.raace.org. The Lehigh
Valley Grand Prix can be contacted at (610) 432-7223.
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Speedway
Info
Sundance Vacations Speedway is a 1/3 mile asphalt oval located in the beautiful
mountains of northeast Pennsylvania. The speedway hosts exciting stock
car racing every weekend from April to October, making it one of NEPA's
premier entertainment attractions.
read more
Sundance Vacations Speedway
Mill Mountain Road
St Johns, PA 18247
full
directions & map
(570) 788-7544
Sundance Vacations
Speedway
is available to rent
to any team interested in testing their cars. To
schedule a date and time please call
the track office at (570)
788-7544.
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