Pippa Mann finally confirmed for Indy 500 with Dale Coyne

Pippa Mann

British racing driver Pippa Mann is pleased to announce a partnership with Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, for this year’s Indianapolis 500, in a campaign to help raise funds and awareness throughout the month of May.

Every two minutes, one case of breast cancer is diagnosed in a woman in the US, which means over the next month, nearly 20,000 cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the US. This May, Mann will be doing her part to join in the fight to help end this disease.

Returning to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Dale Coyne Racing, Mann will pilot the No. 63 car in what will be her third Indy 500 appearance. From Opening Day at IMS through Race Day, Mann’s car, helmet, firesuit and more will be turned pink, in an effort to raise awareness and serve as a reminder to IndyCar fans about the importance of being informed about breast cancer and taking action for their own breast health. In addition, for every lap of the speedway that Mann’s IndyCar completes throughout the month of May, fans and supporters will have the opportunity to pledge an amount via the website, from which all donations will go directly to Komen to fund breast cancer research, education and outreach programs.

"Millions of people will see Pippa’s pink car and gear, bringing awareness about this very serious disease," said Komen President and CEO Judy Salerno, M.D., M.S. “We’re so appreciative of Pippa’s commitment to her fans, and racing fans everywhere, and, especially, to the fight against breast cancer."

Speaking about the partnership, Mann said: "This entire project started with the idea of simply taking my red crash helmet, and turning it pink to support the cause, and it has grown into something fairly amazing in a very short space of time. My Indianapolis 500 this year is no longer about me. This pink car will be out on track representing Komen, representing the survivors, and remembering those who sadly did not win their hard fought battles against breast cancer. To have been a part of creating this opportunity for Susan G. Komen at the Indianapolis 500, and to now be a part of actually making this happen, is something I am incredibly proud of."

Mann will not only be rejoining the Dale Coyne Racing team, with whom she raced in four IndyCar events last year, the British driver will also be teaming up with her Indy 500 race engineer from 2011, Brandon Fry. This was a partnership that saw Mann, a one-off entry in her rookie IndyCar race, secure one of the 33 starting spots, despite the presence of 42 drivers attempting to qualify for the field that year.

The British driver added: “Dale Coyne Racing has an amazing crew coming on board to staff the No. 63 car, and I can't thank Dale and the team enough for their support of this project, and for all the hard work they have also put into this behind the scenes. We will be out there not only racing for position, and competing in a classic racing sense against our competitors on track, but we will also be out there racing for the cure."

Team Owner Dale Coyne commented: “I could not think of being involved with an organization any closer to your heart than Susan G. Komen. There is barely a family or person that has not been affected by this disease. Pippa, Komen and I especially appreciate this opportunity to bring further awareness and most importantly contribute funding for all of the great things the Susan G. Komen organization does for women in their fight against breast cancer."

Opening Day for the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 is Sunday, May 11, and the pledge site – which can be accessed at www.racewithpippa.com will be available from today, through midnight on Race Day, Sunday, May 25.