Final Stats

The Children's Tumor Foundation #14 finished 15th in class and completed 611 laps which, I do believe, is a new record for the Racing4Research team! Many thanks to everyone for following along, for raising much needed money for NF research and for your race day parties throughout the country.  We'll let you know the final tally when we know but whether we got to $300,000 or not we have ensured that a great deal of funds will be put in the hands of some of the best reseachers in the world to help find treatments and a cure for neurofibromatosis, and that's what we're all about.

More pictures, video and some final thoughts on the race tomorrow, thanks again to everyone, hope you enjoyed the race!

Less than 15 Minutes Left!

And just moments ago the Children's Tumor Foundation #14 car went over 600 laps! The car's battered and there's duct tape all over it but it's still running along.  We're 15th in class and Ron Yarab, a doctor who sees patients with NF, is behind the wheel to bring it home!

Down in the Pits

One of the best parts of the Rolex 24 experience is going down to the pit and seeing where the magic happens (or where the sausage is made depending on your perspective). The smell of burnt rubber permeates the entirety of the area and a certain camaraderie bonds everyone in the pits. To be in the pits is to feel like you're part of something greater.

I was down there about an hour ago when Glen Gatlin was taking over for Daniel Graeff during a driver change. At this point the crew and the drivers are all pretty tired but when Daniel pulled up everyone was all business. Daniel hopped out, patted Glen on the back as he jumped in, the crew dropped the car and the #14 car was gone.

The Great Save

Video interview with driver Glen Gatlin describing his experience as the left front ball-joint failed at 170 mph with 3 hours left in the race.  The Autometrics Motorsports team quickly replaced the damaged parts, spending just 30 minutes in the pits.

The Pits!

Back on Track

After an earlier tire problem that took the car off the track, the Children's Tumor Foundation #14 is back and humming along behind the capable hands of Daniel Graeff.  After 486 laps we're 15th in class and still competing, no small feet when you consider all the cars that have packed it in (10 by my count).

We were just in the pits and had an opportunity to speak with Autometrics crew member Mac McGehee.  McGehee said the team is happy with how the car has performed mechanically.  The tire issue forced the car into a side bank and the ensuing crash required a fender and radiator replacement as well as some power steering issues.  Otherwise they've had some problems with the alternator but this is not uncommon when you have a car traveling for the better part of 20 hours.

Pics from the pit:

If You Can't Stand The Waiting

If you're like me and you're up late and need to know what's happening at the track, check out Grand-Am's live timing and scoring page - check out the GT Class and look for #14 to see how we're doing throughout the night.  SPEED's live television coverage begins again at 7:00 AM EST.

A Different Perspective

Garrett suggested I share some pix from my travels with our team spotter trying to solve a communications issue.  We took a trip to the spotter's perch high atop the Sprint Tower, on top of the big grandstand along the front stretch of the superspeedway.  We ended up resolving the communications issue and I enjoyed the unique chance to watch the #14 from such a great location.  Pretty cool...

That's the #14 crossing the finish line

More Pictures

The rainy grid just before the start of the race

CTF drivers (l-r): Ron Yarab, Daniel Graeff, Seth Thomas, Glen Gatlin

From the pits - driver Daniel Graeff gets ready for his first stint in the #14

Crew chief Frank Resciniti discussing strategy

and for our McDreamy fans... George speaking with Patrick Dempsey

Live Rolex 24 Standings

Can be found here by clicking on the green icon on the right hand side.  These standings are substantially more difficult to find than one might expect, hence the post.  No word yet on exactly what happened to the car but it seems that it was just a spin-out as we're back on the track and have just closed to 9 laps behind the leader.

Fireworks in the near future, hopefully not for the car (knocking on wood).   Another great Rolex 24! Be back soon.

We Break, Our Drivers Don't (Often)

Our NF Heroes and their families have mostly made their way back to their hotels for some down time after an exciting day.  We didn't get to walk the car out to the start grid, as is normally the case, due to the inclement weather.  This was unfortunate as this is usually a very emotional time where our drivers and NF Heroes get one last chance to cheer one another on before the race.  And as our group is so big this year -- well over 100 people between the Heroes, their families, our sponsors, and the drivers -- it would've made a truly great impression.  But, there's always next year for that part of the Rolex 24.

As for the race the Children's Tumor Foundation #14 car is currently in 19th place and has yet to encounter any major technical difficulties.  Oh, wow, actually as I wrote that Glen Gatlin spun out, not sure what the issue was/is.  I'm going to look into it and will return.

Green Flag!

The rain's subsided, the green flag is out and the Children's Tumor Foundation #14 GT3 is  flying around the track in front of us.  We're steps away from the track and the noise is astounding.  Think of the last time you heard a Harley motor down an otherwise quite neighborhood street, now imagine standing an arms length away while 100 more pass by directly behind and you'll get the sense of what it's like.  Some people wear ear plugs but for me it's part of this unique experience, it's part of the race.  Of course tomorrow my head'll be pounding and my ears'll be ringing but just like the drivers and the NF Heroes, I'll endure.

Pictures to come.

It's Raining on Our Parade

But nobody seems to mind.  We're warm and dry in the Pit Road Patio but it's coming down hard out there.  We just got some good news that NBCsports.com is interested in publishing an article on the R4R story.  We'll keep you up on further developments.

We're only a couple minutes away from the start of the Rolex 24, hope you can watch at home on SPEED, if not we'll have all the latest news as it comes in.

One for Princess

In one of the posts below passionfruitprincess commented and signed her name Brenda McCool.  Brenda's an NF Hero and it just so happened I took a picture of Brenda's name on the car!  Enjoy Brenda, hope you like.

Please feel free to share your story or ask questions in the comments.  I'll do my best to respond and fulfill any requests.  Happy race day!

Thoughts from the Drivers before the Rolex 24

Last night we had a chance to get a couple thoughts from Glen Gatlin, Ron Yarab, and Daniel Graeff ahead of the Rolex 24.  We didn't get a chance to catch up with Cory Friedman, our qualifying driver because, well, his wife and he are mere hours away from bringing their second child into the world in South Carolina (good luck to the Friedman's on this joyous occasion).  He's going to try to race down tomorrow and catch the end of the Rolex 24

Due to Cory's absence the Children's Tumor Foundation #14 GT3 will start at the back of the pack, as the rules dictate that the qualifying driver must be the starting driver or the team is penalized by starting in the back of the field.  Oh well, the Rolex 24 is a marathon, not a sprint, and this race will not be won in the 1st, 100th, 200th or even 500th lap.  The drivers were certainly cognizant of that fact when we spoke with them last night:

Ron Yarab, MD
"The 24 Hours is the pinnacle of motorsports and our goal is to survive and drive our race.  We're not racing against other cars, we're racing against the clock.  We need to keep it together and endure, like the children and families who live with NF, because like them, we're in it for the long-haul."

Glen Gatlin
"We're all so excited to be able to race for something other than ourselves.  Our goal is to race to win as we see the children race to win against NF."

Daniel Graeff
"There's something amazing about racing the Rolex 24 with the support of the kids and their families.  Something magical happens that makes the drivers better, the crew better and the car better.  There's no greater honor than racing for these kids."

On a personal note, that's what each drivers said when I asked them for their thoughts on the race.  I didn't ask them for their thoughts on Racing4Research or racing for the Children's Tumor Foundation, that's the kind of people we're fortunate enough to have behind the wheel for us today.

Godspeed, indeed.

Cars, Kids and Fun

Much more to come...

NF Heroes Race to Rolex 24

Tonight we had a milestone event in our quest to end neurofibromatosis through research.  Our NF Heroes' families shared their experiences fundraising throughout the year, our sponsors shared their appreciation for the work of our families, and our drivers shared their emotions at seeing the good and important work of the Foundation, made possible by the incredible efforts of the Children's Tumor Foundation family (and, though they're too modest to admit it, the drivers themselves).  The evening culminated when Trane --  one of the Children's Tumor Foundation #14 car's longtime sponsors --- inspired by the evening's events, pledged to donate an additional $25,000 to Racing4Research for vital NF research.

It was a really magical event, one that will not soon be forgetten.  We all have opportunities in our lives to do something good, something true.  Our families seize that opportunity, share it with their children and show what can be done when hope meets resolve.  It's truly inspirational to see a collection of individuals who recognize the challenges they face, the challenges of NF, as an opportunity rather than a burden.  These are the people that constitute Racing4Research, and your faithful blogger can speak confidently for the Foundation's staff, that we couldn't be more honored to to work on their behalf.

And now, we shall race, and as Glen Gatlin, one of the R4R drivers said, GODSPEED...

The Stuff McDreams are Made of

The Racing4Research team caught up with Patrick Dempsey at the track today.  The car looked great and ran well in the last warm-up before the Rolex 24.  Tomorrow we'll have close ups of all the NF Heroes names and the updates will come as fast as the car goes. 

Pictured below: Patrick Dempsey, Darren Law (2009 Daytona 24 champion), and Jack Roush (NASCAR team owner and motorsport legend).

NF Heroes Descend on Daytona; Qualifiers go off Without a Hitch

Friday of race weekend, the NF Heroes and their families are coming in from around the country for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.  We'll be blogging live from the race with all you need to know about the race, the drivers, the NF Heroes and all the festivities of the Rolex 24.

Yesterday's qualifiers went well, the R4R car finished 22nd in its class, in a tightly-knit field only 3 seconds behind the leader.  We'll try to steal a couple minutes with the drivers later this evening for some pre-race thoughts and expectations.

Happy race weekend!

#14 CTF Car Graphics Unveiled

NF Heroes' Names To Appear on the #14 CTF GT3

Introducing our 2010 NF Heroes! Below are the names of 70 NF Heroes that will appear on the #14 Children's Tumor Foundation/Autometrics Motorsports Porsche GT3 at this weekend's 24 Hours At Daytona. Please consider making a donation in their honor or, when available, click on an individual's name to make a donation to their personal fundraising page.

Alex Pasch
Alexandra Konidaris
Andrew Adrian
Andrew Katz
Angelina Moscatello
Ann Sheeleigh
Annysa Ginsberg
Antonio Danino
Ashley Meyer
Bara Colodne
Ben Monterotti
Bernadette Tardio
Blake Robinson
Bob Beck
Brian Behrens
Brenda McCool
Brianna Worden
Caleigh Lawlor
Cameron Arnette
Celia LaBarbera
Chris Byrka
Courtland Hines
Dallas Henderson
Daniel Hayden
Delaney Watts
Destiny Burke
Drew Leathers
Ethan Wray
Evan Perdew
Everett Crisman
Gabriel Helpingstine
Isobelle Mick
Izzy Botko
Jacqueline Dunlap
Jesse Markland
Jessica Ramirez
Jocelyn Cantrell
Joe Kemphaus
John Schafer
Joseph Anania
Julia Perfetti
Katelyn Watkins
Kevin Martin
Koda Rentschler
Laurie Wagner
Lilly Ann Brooks
Luke Wallace
Lynne Stockman
Marette Nagel
Marisol Cordova
Meghan Amendola
Michael Zazula
Mickey Acosta
Nathan Gawrych
Nicholas Biering
Nicholas Gilbert
Owen Polak
Pete Dingeman
Quinn Clarke
Raymond Thomas
Renae Stob
Rob Schafer
Rose Match Suna
Rosie Colucci
Sam Couillard
Sandra Bloomberg
Taylor & Kirsten Halbert
Tyler Hamel
Tyler Robinson

Doctor to Race Daytona for Checkered Flag and Patients

When Ron Yarab Jr. MD of Poland, Ohio, takes to the track at Daytona International Speedway on January 30, to race in the Rolex 24, he’ll be racing for the checkered flag but also to raise funds and awareness for children, including some of his patients, living with neurofibromatosis (NF). Dr. Yarab is a physical medicine and rehab physician who has worked extensively with children affected by NF and will raise funds for their cause through Racing4Research, a unique fundraising campaign established by the Children’s Tumor Foundation (www.ctf.org).

“The opportunity to do work that I love, bettering the health of physically challenged children, coupled with the sport that I love, auto racing, is like a dream come true. With each lap that I complete we raise funds to research various forms of cancer, bone abnormalities, learning disabilities and many of the other forms that NF can take in children, it’s an honor to have that opportunity.”

This is the fourth year the Children's Tumor Foundation’s Racing4Research program will compete in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the nation’s premier endurance auto-race. For 24 straight hours Dr. Yarab and four fellow drivers will race with each lap the team completes raising money pledged by donors for clinical trials of potential NF treatments.

“The endurance aspect of the race is similar to the endurance aspect of leading a life with neurofibromatosis,” said George Orfanakos, Executive Director of the Children’s Tumor Foundation. “After 24 straight hours of racing the cars are often very beat up and very run down. The Children’s Tumor Foundation is competing in a race to prevent children from suffering the potentially devastating effects that a lifetime of neurofibromatosis can have on the body and Dr. Yarab is helping make sure we win the race.”

Neurofibromatosis is a progressive disorder that affects more than one in every 3,000 children born and causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. NF is more prominent than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease combined. The Racing4Research program has raised more than $500,000 for NF research since its inception. This program has already raised more than $225,000 for the 2010 Rolex 24 campaign.

CTF partners with Autometrics for 2010 Rolex 24

The Children’s Tumor Foundation and Autometrics Motorsports have partnered to race the Rolex 24, the nation’s most prestigious endurance auto racing event, at the Daytona International Speedway on January 30-31. This is the fourth year the Foundation’s Racing4Research program will participate in the 24 hour race, billed as the ultimate test of man and machine. Overall the program has raised more than a $500,000 for neurofibromatosis research and is closing in on the goal of $300,000 for this year.

“The endurance aspect of the race is similar to the endurance aspect of leading a life with neurofibromatosis,” said Children’s Tumor Foundation Executive Director George Orfanakos. “After 24 straight hours of racing the cars are often very beat up and very run down. At the Children’s Tumor Foundation we’re competing in a race to prevent children from having to endure the effects that a lifetime of neurofibromatosis can have on the body.”

Racing4Research (www.racing4research.org) is a unique fundraising program that allows donors to make per lap or flat pledges to help raise funds and awareness for NF and then follow the race on the SPEED channel. The program features NF Heroes, individuals affected by NF, whose names appear on the car, and many of whom attend the race or race-day parties throughout the country and fundraise for the event.

“What makes our Racing4Research effort so special is the presence and participation of our NF Heroes from across the country,” said Orfanakos. “It is important for those living with neurofibromatosis to know that the Children’s Tumor Foundation is by their side and that they are not alone in their fight against this disorder."

Autometrics Motorsports is a professional road racing team located in Charleston, SC that competes successfully in the prestigious Grand-Am Rolex Series and Koni Challenge Series. The team led by driver Cory Friedman, finished 3rd in the over-all GT point standings for the 2005 season. Friedman, along with returning R4R drivers Daniel Graeff and Ron Yarab will make this years team highly competitive as they race for more than just the checkered flag.