SPEEDCOM Communications Launches “Every Lap Counts� Worldwide Charity
Lassally was joined by Sarah Gurtis, Camp Boggy Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development, renowned commentator Alfredo Nin and John Tecce of BGB Motorsports in making the announcement. Boggy Creek and the El Salvador-based Padre Arrupe Foundation will be the inaugural recipient organizations of the first Every Lap Counts initiative while BGB is one of the teams that will race to support the cause during the upcoming Rolex 24 At Daytona race weekend, Jan. 28 – 31.
Before the 48th running of the Rolex 24 weekend, however, Every Lap Counts will first raise funds next weekend during the 5th Anniversary Dubai 24 Hours, Jan. 14 – 16, in the United Arab Emirates. Lassally will be among the drivers of the No. 112 El Salvador Impressive/SPEEDCOM/Marcos Racing International BMW 120D that will be raced in support of the first phase of the Every Lap Counts effort. Lassally and his teammates finished second in class in the 2009 running of the Dubai race and are among the pre-race favorites to take division honors this year. Nin will anchor a live internet broadcast for 26 straight hours from Dubai, which will also air on EveryLapCounts.com.
“We have tried to launch similar fund-raising efforts in the past around our endurance racing programs but finally this year we have been able to get the right group of people and organizations together to pull it off," said Lassally, who grew up in Daytona Beach but is a native of El Salvador. “Now we need the help of all of our great friends that we are fortunate enough to work with each and every racing season to step up and support the Every Lap Counts cause and all of the children around the world that will benefit from their generosity."
As the name implies, Every Lap Counts is a pledge-based program that gives supporters a chance to make per-lap donations for the selected races. Pledges can currently be made for the No. 112 El Salvador Impressive/SPEEDCOM/Marcos BMW team for the Dubai 24 at EveryLapCounts.com. After that race, EveryLapCounts.com will switch over to take pledges for the designated BGB Porsche in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Fresh from Florida 200 at Daytona, Friday, Jan. 29, and a Daytona Prototype team in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Jan. 30 – 31.
EveryLapCounts.com allows donors to support either Camp Boggy Creek, the Padre Arrupe Foundation or both worthwhile causes through a 50/50 pledge option. Located not far from Daytona International Speedway in Eustis, Fla., Camp Boggy Creek is a member of Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Camps that provides a traditional camping experience for children suffering from chronic and life threatening illnesses. The Padre Arrupe Foundation is one of the leading organizations gathering relief funds for children and other victims who lost their homes and more during last year’s catastrophic storm-driven landslides the swept through Verapaz, El Salvador.
Camp Boggy Creek is a designated charity of GRAND-AM while SPEEDCOM Communications is entering its fourth year as the Official Communications Supplier of GRAND-AM.
Lassally will co-drive the No. 112 BMW with Jim Briody, Hal Prewitt and Marcos Racing International owner and accomplished driver Cor Euser in Dubai. Briody joined Lassally on the second-place Dubai effort last year and they also raced with Prewitt in the same BMW in last May’s 24 Hours of Nurburgring, finishing sixth. The SPEEDCOM/Marcos team had a final 2009 record of one victory, three runner-up finishes and one sixth place result in worldwide competition last year.
Headquartered in Daytona Beach with additional corporate operations around the globe, SPEEDCOM Communications is the world leader in motorsports radio and communications systems and also offers a related line of high-performance products and accessories for companies and competitors in all facets of the motorsports industry.
SPEEDCOM principals also gain first-hand experience on race tracks around the world and frequently test and develop in competition the latest communication products and components in such demanding races as the 24H Dubai and the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. Only by racing with and using what it sells to competitors around the world can SPEEDCOM know first-hand the demands placed on its equipment in race conditions. (press release)