PRS Guitars Brings "Laps for Life" Back To Summit Point Raceway

Paul Reed Smith Guitars, the National Auto Sports Association Mid-Atlantic (NASA) and the 944 Cup premier amateur racing series are working together again this summer to raise funding and awareness for the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center with the unique pledge-based "Laps for Life" racing event. Paul Reed Smith Guitars and Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have worked together for many years to support cancer patients and their families through an annual golf tournament. PRS Guitars and Johns Hopkins extended their efforts into the automotive scene at the 2005 Hyperfest event in Summit Point, WV. Through the combined efforts of PRS Guitars and NASA Racing, funding raised from Hyperfest's pre-event activities and onsite guitar raffles have benefited patients and families of the cancer center. PRS Guitars President Jack Higginbotham, a 944 Cup racer himself, helped create the "Laps for Life" event last year as an extension of PRS Guitars' ongoing philanthropic efforts for the center.

Laps for Life works similarly to other pledge based programs. Drivers in the Porsche 944 Cup race group will solicit pledges based on the number of laps they will complete during the June 21st race at Summit Point Raceway. This race typically is comprised of 9-12 laps and the 944 group is one of the largest at the event, with more than 40 cars on the track at once. Dave Derecola, National Director of the 944 Cup enthusiastically joined the fund raising efforts early on. "Both Johns Hopkins and PRS Guitars have long been associated with the best in what they do. The 944 Cup is honored to partner with these organizations in such a worthy cause in this race to find effective treatments for cancer. We hope the rest of the racing community will join us in this noble fight."

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Corporate sponsorship is also available this year. Volvo Rents, headquartered in Asheville, NC, seized the opportunity to be part of the fundraising efforts. Evan Brumm, the company CFO and 944 pilot stated, "I am delighted to be able to help contribute to this cause. It's a rare opportunity to combine work, pleasure and charity."

Phil's Tire Service, based out of New York, also came on board to support the event. Phil and his wife Kim have provided trackside race tire service for NASA events for two years. "With our business, we obviously enjoy supporting racers in the pursuit of their hobby. With an event like this, we are pleased to support the causes that the race group is passionate about."

Bev Fowler of PRS Guitars, who has been involved with the PRS/Hyperfest partnership for four years stated, "Laps for Life is a unique, challenging and fun way to raise money for Johns Hopkins. We're pleased to have the help of NASA Racing and the 944 Cup Race group as we continue our efforts at PRS to support cancer research at the Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center." To pledge, simply go to the Laps For Life Website select a driver and pledge an amount. Johns Hopkins will contact you after the event for payment.

For more information on a corporate sponsorship, pledge or contribution, please visit http://www.lapsforlife.com/