The Motorsports Militia - Rehabilitation, Racing Style

Detaljer

Överliggande kategori: Sports

Kategori: Motorsport

Skriven av Kimberley Barreda

Träffar: 931

The garage is one of many, completely indistinguishable from the other large grey aluminum buildings in the Mooresville Motorsports complex. It looks the same inside as well. It's exactly what you'd expect to see in a functioning, competitive, winning racing company. Race cars on pads, people working, phones ringing. Until you look in the far corner where the conference tables are, with chairs all on the same side facing a large screen on the wall. It's tidy with paperwork, manuals and binders, obviously a classroom setting.

It's the home of Manpower to Horsepower, a co-operative effort between SMP Motorsports and Rowan Caberras Community College where post combat Veterans living with PTSD gain hands on experience while earning credits toward their Motorsports Management Certificate. The 14 credit curriculum gives graduates a well rounded foundation in the fundamentals of the motorsports industry.

The Vets-Help initiative is operated by founder Sue Roberson, a fixture in the racing world. Balancing her roles as team owner, program provider, spokesperson, fundraiser and crisis counselor, she has succeeded in producing a winning race team as well as growing the program from one student to 22 in the upcoming year.

Her success on and off the track has attracted the attention of major corporations, the media and the public. The Governor of North Carolina is a fan and sponsors are lining up to offer their support.

"It's all about the Veterans. If we can help one of these guys or gals, then it's worth it." she says as she carries a large crock pot of food to a waiting truck. She's been cooking in her office, making sure the crew has hot food for the race that evening. It's something she does for every event.

She has to wait on the second trip because the floor is wet. It's just been washed by a guy who is now sweeping the front entry. He's a walk-in, unexpected and completely welcome. It's something that happens frequently. Soldiers hear about the program from somewhere and they just show up. He walked in, shook hands and ten minutes later had assigned himself to floor washing duty.

Another soldier almost didn't come inside at all, but took the step. Now he is often the first one there and the last to leave.

Expansion plans for 2012 include additional garage space in Mooresville and adding new cars and drivers.

Support for the program is needed in all forms including financial, in-kind and volunteers. All donations to the program are tax deductible.

For more information please visit the site at Manpower to Horsepower.