ITP, Big Daddy Motorsports, and the Media Allstars hosted their Third Annual "88 Live To Ride Benefit Dinner" last Saturday night, (June 27th) at Muddy Creek Raceway. The fund-raiser for the 88 Live to Ride Fund netted nearly Six Thousand Dollars ($5866 to be exact), through sponsorships, and donations. "I can't put into words how I feel towards everyone for stepping up this year despite this bad economy, and making this dinner the best one yet." Said event organizer Stan "BIGDADDY" Digby who was quick to add, "A BIG Thank You also goes out to Sam Gammon, the Victory Sports staff, and Mama Digby for their added support." Nearly 50 pounds of pasta, 10 pounds of salad, 20 pounds of Caramel cake, and 60 cases of drinks were served free of charge to all in attendance by volunteers.
"This year's dinner was a HUGE success. Even in a failing economy, people opened their pockets to support this event - it just shows what a caring community we have. And no offense women racers, but it was your counterparts who stepped up to help serve and clean up.
Thank you to Victory Sports for inviting us to have the dinner at Muddy Creek and their financial support. Kudos to Stan "Bigdaddy" and his family for all the work they put into the dinner - Stan is the most awesome spaghetti cooker I know. Thanks, also, to ITP Tires and Media Allstars for their help with this fundraiser.
Most of all, I enjoyed the fellowship and of course, Chase's [Cunningham] stories of when he and Matt raced together in the A class. Thanks again for supporting something that is so close to my heart." Stated Debi Bartosek of the 88 Live To Ride Fund.
The event's success guarantees a fourth installment in 2010, and the funds raised will be put to good use keeping racers safe, and taken care of.
The event staff would like to thank the following companies for their support:
ITP, Media Allstars, Big Daddy Motorsports, ATP, Abbott Farm Products, ATV Racin' Extra, ATVRiders.com, Cabinets by Bigdaddy, Motoworks Can-Am, Cody Shelton Racing, Coleman & Co. PC, Concrete Cutting Systems, Cooper's Garage, Davey Boy Motorsports, DC Motorsports, Espey Meat Market, Gifford Racing, Gilchrist Racing, Glenn Beidler, Hetrick Racing, Home Tavern, Janssen Motorsports, JB Racing, Joe Byrd Riding School, Monster Energy Kawasaki, Pittman Racing, Presbyterian Homes, Ron Laurine-LSI, Shaw Ag Equipment, Suzuki-Yoshimura, Tapscott Racing, Triple H Equipment, Victory Sports, WF Welliver & Son, Xplicit Motorsports
Anyone interested in making additional donations should contact Debi Bartosek (email: 88-4ever@roadrunner.com).
About the 88 Live To Ride Fund:
After the devastating loss of Pro racer Matt Bartosek, his family, friends and the racing community decided to form a corporation, 88 Live to Ride, Inc., to further expand on needs, seen as necessary, in the sport of ATV racing. The mission of 88 Live to Ride, Inc. is to advocate and support the protection, education and safety of riders involved in ATV racing events. A medical team comprised of numerous racer entourage members who currently work in the health care industry provide "walking wounded" care, free of charge, to the racers; their families and the spectators of the sport we all love. Free Medical supplies and information are also distributed by volunteers at various locations at the race events.
The Board of 88 Live to Ride, Inc. consists of Debi Bartosek, Jorge Cuartas, Cindi Hart and Beth Laurine. The IRS officially granted the corporation its 501(3) tax-exempt status and it is now recognized as a Public Charity.