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CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 4, 2009) – NASCAR celebrities, fans, loyal customers, family and friends will partner together to pay tribute to Click Baldwin while raising money for Victory Junction during the 7th Annual Ride to Victory on Saturday, October 10.
As an extension of Kyle Petty Charity Ride, Inc., this year’s Ride to Victory will benefit Victory Junction, a year-round facility serving children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses.
Click Baldwin, long time friend of Kyle Petty, valuable member on the Board of Directors for the KPCR organization and local business owner of Carolina Harley-Davidson in Gastonia passed away following a motorcycle accident in Montana on July 29, 2008. This annual fundraiser honors and pays tribute to Click Baldwin for all the years of dedication and support since its inception.
“Back in 1995, he and I, along with a few other close friends, were just a group of guys that wanted to ride our motorcycles across the country,” Kyle Petty said. “We found out that we could raise some money for charity while doing so and the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America was born. While it had my name on it, Click was a driving force behind the ride.”
This one-day motorcycle ride gives fans the opportunity to ride across North Carolina with NASCAR celebrities while supporting a great cause. The ride is scheduled for Saturday, October 10th, the week before the NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (ABC 7 p.m. EST).
Rally points this year will include Tilley Harley-Davidson in Statesville, Iron Horse Motorcycles in Monroe, Harley-Davidson of Charlotte and Carolina Harley-Davidson in Gastonia. The full group will depart from Carolina Harley-Davidson at 10:30 a.m., making a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The group will continue to Kannapolis, N.C. and participate in a “classic” Charity Ride pit stop at Pilot Travel Center before arriving at Victory Junction. Participating fans and motorcycle enthusiasts will receive a commemorative pin, Ride to Victory VII t-shirt and more.
Click participated in the Ride Across America, as well as the Ride to Victory since its inception. “Baldwin’s fluorescent character is sorely missed; however, Click’s friends and supporters know that while he may be absent visibly, his spirit transcends,“ said Kenny Crosswhite, founder of Perception Ministries and a NASCAR chaplain.
Victory Junction is a member of the NASCAR Foundation Family of Charities. For more information or to pre-register, please visit www.kylepettycharityride.com or call 704-714-4545.
Registration will be available at all rally points the day of the event; however, rider spots are limited and pre-registration is recommended.
About Ride to Victory VII
Founded in 2003, the Ride to Victory builds upon the success of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. Since its formation, approximately 6,400 riders have logged more than 9.1 million cumulative motorcycle miles and traveled through 48 states. Most importantly, the Ride has donated more than $13 million to Victory Junction and various children’s charities.
About Victory Junction
Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children, ages six to 16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son Adam, the camp is located in Randleman, N.C. with a second location opening soon in Kansas City, Kan. Victory Junction offers programs for 24 disease groups and maintains strong relationships with 27 partner hospitals. Victory Junction’s mission is to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment. As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous donors to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families. For more information, visit www.victoryjunction.org.
About The NASCAR Hall of Fame
Set to open May 11, 2010, the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech, four-level venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, includes exhibits and interactive displays, a state-of-the-art theater, a Hall of Honor to commemorate inductees, restaurant, retail outlet, and television and radio studio. Visit www.nascarhall.com for more information.
About The NASCAR Foundation
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc., (NASCAR) launched the NASCAR Foundation in January 2006. The Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit entity that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities. The Foundation supports a wide range of charitable initiatives that reflect the core values of the entire NASCAR Family. The NASCAR Foundation will use the strength of the sport and its people to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. For more information on the NASCAR Foundation, please visit the Website: www.nascar.com/foundation.
About Pilot Travel Centers
Pilot Travel Centers, the Official Travel Center of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, was founded in 1958. There are over 350 Travel Center locations across the United States offering the Kyle Petty Charity Rides clean, safe locations to rest and fuel up. For more information on Pilot Travel Centers, visit www.pilottravelcenters.com.
For additional information, contact:
Diane Hough, Ride to Victory, at 704-714-4545 or diane@kylepettycharityride.com or
Morgan Castano, Ride to Victory, at 704-714-4545 or morgan@kylepettycharityride.com
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