News Release

For information, contact:

Brian Hanaford

Voice: 603-726-6477

Email: brianhanaford@aol.com

The Accessible Racing Team History Making Freedom Tour rolls into Atlanta Motor Speedway October 24-26, 2008. Accessible Racing is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit fund raising organization featuring the first ever 'Arrive & Drive' experience for persons with disabilities. This is the only NASCAR style race car modified for a wheelchair user to access with an accessible drivers door that opens to 90 degrees. A drivers swivel seat for easy transfer, a push button automatic transmission shifter, and hand controls. The steering wheel and shaft are removable for even more room to aid in the transfer. The vehicle also features dual steering, brake and gas pedals and an engine stop switch on instructors’ side of car for total control and training. Also we added a back up steering and brake system in the event of an engine stall.

1.) Accessible Racing skills school, staged in a wide open parking lot, develops a new set of driving skills versus merely practicing the same skills. A combination of class room knowledge and closely supervised driving instruction from a professional racecar driver riding in the dual controlled Accessible race car focuses on base line driving skills; under steer, over steer, steering with throttle, threshold breaking and more.

2.) White Mountain Motor Sports Park in North Woodstock, NH is a local quarter mile asphalt oval track hosted the first ever driving experience for persons with disabilities to 'Arrive & Drive' under the lights. Wheelchair users attended from Colorado, Montana, California, Pennsylvania, Alabama, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York and Massachusetts.

3.) Lime Rock Park Lakeville, CT is a road course featuring hospitality, and ride-a-longs prior to Mohegan Sun NASCAR Camping World 200, The Accessible Racing organization demonstrates that fundraising and entertainment opportunities work well at NASCAR short tracks and road courses events, featuring tax deducible hospitality packages that include entertainment and hot laps, in addition to NASCAR and SCCA competition. “When I learned about Accessible Racing, I immediately resonated with their mission. I grew up with a handicapped uncle whose street car was fitted with hand controls back in the late 1960s. I was amazed that the technology was available so that he had the freedom to get around. Now to see what Accessible Racing is doing to offer this freedom to racing drivers and fans is heartwarming. Kudos to Accessible Racing!” said Maria Jannace, Chief Marketing Officer for Lime Rock Park.

4.) Atlanta Motor Speedway links Accessible Racing to NASCAR top level of competition.  Hospitality providers will benefit from the tax deductible hospitality and most importantly attract the media to the feel good experience that their guests will participate in and help position product for marketing partners associated with Accessible Racing. Our mission is to break barriers and create opportunities. Saturday morning VIP guest will be introduced to Accessible Racing's video driver simulator modified with hand controls, prior to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck race. Following the truck race select hospitality persons will be invited to apply newly acquired driving skills on the 1/4 mile legends track at the start/finish line. Bryan Anderson will then complete Accessible Racing's History Making awareness tour as he drives a parade lap prior to NASCAR Sprint Cup race with one of America's favorite short track drivers. 

Peter Ruprecht, CO-owner and founder of Accessible Racing has been modifying passenger cars for nearly 60 years. Ruprecht said, "My business partner and I have had conversations and verbal interests from product manufactures, and service providers that cater to the disabled community. The final pieces are in place to support our partners that are ready, willing, and able to commit financially to this mission with incentives at point of sales that position product and justify brand loyalty. We need more corporations that wish to share our vision and expand the program to reach the more then 54 million America's with disabilities.

Corporate Tax deductible donations benefit participants, such as, US Army Sergeant Bryan Anderson. Bryan may not have survived the injuries he sustained Oct 23, 2005 in Baghdad, Iraq but thanks to modern medicine, the explosive device that destroyed Bryan's Humvee did not end his life. It did however cause life changing injuries, resulting in the amputation of both legs and his left arm below the elbow.

Since his return from Iraq, and subsequent rehabilitation stay at Walter Reed Hospital, Bryan has enjoyed Rock Climbing and Jet Skiing. He has aspirations of becoming a Hollywood stunt man, using his physical condition as an asset, instead of a liability. But Hollywood is on hold, as Anderson prepares for another story book ending.

When Bryan returned home to Chicago numerous stories appeared in home town news papers like Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Tribune. As word spread nationally, other media sources picked up the story, including July 2006 Los Angeles Times and 2007 Cover of Esquire Magazine with a feature story entitled, "What I've learned"

Atlanta Motor Speedway Benefits

ALL Tax Deductible donation

20 Hospitality passes

20 Food & Beverage (cheese, crackers, chips, hotdog's, burgers, beverage)

12 Pre race pit tours (Saturday)

Accessible Racing Show Car in Hospitality area

ALL Video driving experience modified with hand controls.

Prizes include (3) ride-along experience Saturday on Legends track, (20) Cup tickets-hospitality & pit tours, (50) Accessible Racing tee shirts.

**Atlanta tax deductible rates based on interest received prior to Sept 15:

Presenting Sponsor $10,000 (10 hospitality passes, 10 Food & Beverage, 10 pit tours, show car, video driving experience, 360 sq. in corporate name/branding on racecar 1/4 panels)

Support Sponsor $7,500 (5 hospitality passes, 5 Food & Beverage, 5 pit tours, show car, video driving experience, 144 sq. in logo prominently positioned on racecar)

Product Sponsor $5,000

Accessible Racing is a nonprofit organization that strives to 'break barriers and create opportunities' for over 54 million Americans with disabilities. Tax Deductible donations & more information on how you or your organization can join this history making mission, please visit www.accessibleracing.com or contact Brian Hanaford at 603-726-6477.

****suggested value of ride along PRICELESS****