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| Hopkins Family Truckers 200 approaching quickly, needs your help | C.A.R.S. Motorsports & Racer Marketing
Orlando FL - November 10th, 2006 - The Hopkins Family Truckers 200 is quickly approaching, but needs your help to be successful. Event director Rick Bristol is asking anyone and everyone who can help to come forward now.
Rick Bristol started this thing out as an idea for a 200 Lap truck race because no one had done anything like that in Florida. He then thought of how he could tie it to a charity. The first thought was to help the Victory Junction Gang Camp, run by the Petty's. Then Bristol saw the post on Karnac.com from a mother who was asking prayers from the racing community for her son, because he was diagnosed with a potentially terminal disease. Bristol knew when he saw that post , where the charity was to go.
" I was so touched by this plea for help for her son. I knew what God was telling me to do. I began to run with it. Rick asked on the karnac site if tracks were interested in hosting the event please contact him. Several contacted him including the track where it will be held this year, Orlando Speedworld. " Rusty Marcus contacted me about it, then Don Nerone and I had a conversation. We then made the final date and it was set".
Bristol posted the idea to truck drivers to see what interest there was and over 50 teams asked for a packet about the event and many more were passed out at events around the state. The pre-entry date was set for November 1st. As that date came not many pre-entries have been received, but a couple reason we think can attribute to that. One is that FASTRUCK had to extend there season due to missed events, and there is still one more big event on the FASCAR schedule November 25th at New Smyrna Speedway a 100 lap event. Many guys are not sure if they will have trucks until then. Bristol moved the pre-entry date to December 6th just to give those guys the chance to prepare. " I am a little concerned, so many said they wanted to do this, now we are getting close and not seeing the response we need. I really beg the drivers to please come support this event , so we can really help Tommy and his family.
Rick then had the opportunity to go up to Citra near Ocala to meet Tommy and his family. Mom Michelle, Father Rob and brother Bobby (13). They expressed to him their appreciation for what he was trying to do for them. " I met Tommy and it was hard because he was just running around having a good time water fighting with his brother. He has a dynamic smile and a wonderful laugh. He is a tough little guy who is a hero to me. After his recent blood transplant Tommy told us that while he was under for the operation, Jesus touched him and told him it would be alright. Well a report came today that the blood transplant from the little baby girls umbilical cord has given him 100% new baby blood cells. The big thing now is they need to mature and get stronger. That's what we are praying for now" he added.
So you understand Tommy's illness, he was diagnosed with Adrenoleukoystrophy and Addison's disease. The prognosis was that he could lose his sight, then hearing and then would go into a vegetative state. The blood transplant, which they only had a 5% chance of finding a perfect match, was found. He then went through cemo and radiation treatments, then the transplant. He now is doing better, but still has a ways to go.
This family is facing mounting medical bills and higher costs of living because of the disease. Bristol is trying to do all he can to make this thing successful. Nascar drivers David Reutimann and David Starr are going to be attending and signing autographs to help. Reutimann from Zephyrhills FL. drives a truck for Darrell Waltrip but just recently was announced as full time driver for Micheal Waltrip in the Aarons Busch Car and will also drive part time in the Nextel Cup series for Micheal in the Domino's Pizza, Burger King #00. Starr drives the #11 ToyotaForklift.net Red Horse racing entry for Jeff Hammond. "These are two great guys and they wanted to help right away, we just had to work out the details" stated Rick.
Many other great folks have stepped up and are doing many different things to help and they will be mentioned in the program that Orlando Graphix is doing for the event. The greatest need right now is some companies that can help sponsor the races so that the costs will be minimal. Also Rick needs help with advertising for the big event. " I really need some folks to step up and be the title sponsor or sponsor the races. I also need some folks to help buy some advertising for the event. I do not have an advertising budget. This all started out of my own pocket a have some money that I am committing but need more to get the word out. I have contacted all the local media outlets about this trying to get a pre-event story done or some public service announcements, some have called and are trying to help but it will be minimal at this point.I beg anyone that can help in this area please contact me at 407-497-0448.
The event will take place December 8th & 8th and will feature Friday night the 8th, qualifying, mini-cup racing,music and a pit area BBQ and a planned celebrity auction. Saturday will feature practices, qualifying heats and feature for legends. Mini cups and the Big 200 Lap truck event. The 200 originally had plans of a live pit stop, but due to safety concerns a 1/2 way break with controlled changes will take place. The tickets are only $20.00 they are good for both nights if you choose to do both. A two day pit pass is $45.00 if purchased on Friday the 8th. You can call 407-497-0448 for general admission tickets now.
There will be raffles and other things happening throughout the weekend. We need you to spread the word all you can. If you can help get the word out with flyers or can help with advertising or sponsoring the race please call today.
" I want to thank all the folks that have helped already, all the officials who have volunteered to help work the event by donating their time. So many great folks, I would love to name them all but would leave someone out. I will try to get them all listed in the program so they are thanked properly. I will make this final appeal to everyone. I promise you will have fun, get a blessing for helping and appreciate more the health that you and your family have. May God Bless everyone that helps and please continue to pray for Tommy and his family" ended Bristol.
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