New supporters jump on Team USA Scholarship bandwagon
Among the new contributors are Silicon Salvage, one of Southern California’s leading computer surplus and salvage dealers; Integrated Performance Technology (IPT), which works with IT companies to provide B2B executive events at motor racing venues around the world; Dyson Racing, which has been at the top of sports car racing for almost three decades; AutoRacing1.com, a leading source of news; and Metalore, which provides precision design and manufacturing capabilities for the auto racing and medical industries, as well as the military.
"I’ve known the kids who have been selected the last few years and they learned so much from this program," says Silicon Salvage principal Chuck Hulse, who has been around the sport his entire life.
Hulse’s father contested four Indianapolis 500s in the 1960s. The younger Hulse himself raced in sprint cars on the West Coast in the 1970s and ‘80s, and these days competes "for fun" in the Pacific F2000 Championship and the Star Mazda series.
"When I tried to race when I was younger, it was so tough," continues Hulse, "so it’s nice to be able to give these youngsters an opportunity."
Former racer Bob Whyte, CEO of Integrated Performance Technology, Inc., has helped other businesses to become commercial partners with racing programs in Formula 1, Champ Car, Grand-Am and ALMS, and understands the importance of providing gifted youngsters with an opportunity to spread their wings. (This year’s Team USA Scholarship winners, Patrick Barrett and Joel Miller, will travel to England this week to contest the forthcoming Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy. The mini-series will comprise six races over two weekends at Brand Hatch and Snetterton.)
"The Team USA Scholarship program has a long and successful track record of identifying and supporting the best young American drivers," says Whyte. "Their alumni list reads like a Who’s Who in the top levels of racing around the world. As a global company headquartered in the USA, IPT is proud to support this program."
Chris Dyson, who has taken over day-to-day management of the Dyson family’s Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-based sports car team from his father Rob, is equally intent upon ensuring the sport has a viable future: "Dyson Racing recognizes the importance of supporting American road racers. Jeremy Shaw has a keen eye for driving talent, and his program has a track record of launching several careers of drivers who might not have otherwise had the opportunity to compete on a world stage. We are delighted to support the Team USA Scholarship."
Mark Cipolloni, President of the popular AutoRacing1.com website, adds: "I think the Team USA Scholarship program is a great concept and gives young American drivers the opportunity to show what they can do against international competition in equally prepared cars. We are happy to get involved with such a wonderful program for American drivers."
Historic racer and businessman Doug Mockett remains the Scholarship’s staunchest supporter. His enthusiasm also has led to contributions from fellow Historic Formula 1 competitors Chris Locke and Peter Gulick.
"We’re so grateful to have all these new supporters on board," says auto racing writer/broadcaster and Team USA Scholarship founder Jeremy Shaw. "Substantial funding continues to be elusive, but myself and our panel of advisors have ambitious plans to step up the program several notches for the future.
"The exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and British pound hasn’t made things any easier this year, so we’re still actively seeking new supporters to help bridge the gap," adds Shaw.