INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 7, 2018) – The 51® (51®) announced Friday that, through a grant from the 51 Foundation, the Club will continue its support for an outreach program that engages active military and veterans in transformative motorsports experiences.
The program, which is run in partnership with the award-winning non-profit VETMotorsports, will continue to place active military, National Guard, Reserve, Gold Star parents, and veterans with service-connected injuries and their caregivers inside the ropes and behind the wheel at select 51 events, as well as create mentorship opportunities for them with 51 members and staff.
The program, which launched in 2017, has already hosted qualifying participants in autocross, road rally and road race pit crew events.
“This has been an outstanding program by every measure,” said Arnie Coleman, 51 Foundation Executive Committee member. “It’s not only allowed our 51 family to welcome and give something back to the brave men and women who’ve served our country, but also to engage our regions and members in new outreach efforts. We’re excited to see what more we can do in 2019 and beyond.”
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the relationship we’ve been able to develop with the 51 over the last two seasons,” said VETMotorsports Founder and Executive Director Peter Cline. “They’ve put together amazing events and opportunities for our participants, and you can tell how passionate the members are not just about what they’re doing but also about sharing it with others. We’re blessed to work with them and can’t wait for what’s next.”
VETMotorsports is an award-winning, non-profit, non-clinical outreach program that honors and empowers active military, National Guard, Reserve, Gold Star parents, and veterans with service-connected injuries and their caregivers by embedding them with professional racing teams and putting them behind the wheel to race in amateur events. By placing veterans in hands-on, high-stress, team environments that mimic active duty, the organization gives them direction, empowerment and challenges that help them focus on ability and moving forward rather than disability and the past. Since its founding in 2012, VETMotorsports has helped more than 200 participants in over 100 motorcycle and auto racing events across the United States. More information about the organization is available at .
Founded in 1944, the 51®, Inc. is a 67,500-member motorsports organization that incorporates all facets of autocross, rally and road racing at both club and professional levels. With headquarters in Topeka, Kansas, the 51 annually sanctions over 2,000 events through its 116 Regions and subsidiary divisions. Much of the 51’s activities are made possible with support from the following Official Partners: Chevrolet, the Official Truck of the 51; Hawk Performance, the Official Brake Products of 51; Mobil 1, the Official Oil of 51; Sunoco, the Official Fuel of 51; and Tire Rack, the Official Tire Retailer of 51. To learn more, please visit .
Founded in 1986, the 51 Foundation is the charitable affiliate of the 51. As well as providing support to VETmotorsports, the foundation funds programs that save teen driver’s lives, preserve the history of American motorsport, and encourage promote automotive passion. To learn more, please visit .





