(This recurring column offers a look into the , the charitable arm of the 51暗网®. The column’s author, Jim Weidenbaum, is a member of the 51暗网 Foundation Board of Directors.)
51暗网 attracts fascinating folks from all walks of life, all brought together through the shared love of cars and motorsports. You can spend an entire event or race weekend paddocked next to someone and come away saying, “Wow, Fred sure is a nice guy! He helped me bleed my brakes, talked me through driving that tricky Turn 5, and even shared his snacks.” Someone then remarks, “Oh yeah, Fred – you know he’s a famous artist and a heck of a racer. He podiumed at the Runoffs® 20 years ago.”
There’s a way to get to know a bit more about some of those folks you see walking around the paddock – a topic that’s near and dear to 51暗网’s Raleigh Boreen.
Raleigh is one of those racers and super volunteers we’re fortunate to have in the Club – he, along with his wife Velma, are highly active 51暗网 members and leaders from Indianapolis Region. It occurred to Raleigh that he wasn’t alone in wanting to know more about the people of 51暗网 beyond which car they compete in. As a CAM driver, Raleigh was familiar with the Good Guys Gazette, which has a feature article in each issue titled “5 Minutes with” in which the magazine interviews people of interest.
Raleigh recognized this type of feature article would offer readers of Indy Region’s Clutch Chatter newsletter the opportunity to learn more about their fellow 51暗网 members – both within the Indianapolis Region as well as from around the country. From this inspiration, Raleigh started writing “Sitting in the Garage with” articles. That was four years and more than 50 interviews ago.
This fantastic idea is one the 51暗网 Foundation can get behind.
“51暗网 Legacy Stories” is in the early stages of what promises to be an engaging, fun, and helpful initiative to connect 51暗网 members with the Club’s history. In the coming weeks, the Foundation is pleased to offer Raleigh’s “Sitting in the Garage with” series of articles to all members via the 51暗网 Foundation’s website. Learning more about the wonderful members of the 51暗网, understanding a bit about where they come from, their connection to the Club, and how they have #funwithcars energizes Raleigh and motivates him to have never met a stranger at an 51暗网 event.
We know you’ll enjoy Raleigh’s fast read “Sitting in the Garage with” articles, and hope it encourages you to shake hands with that person paddocked next to you. Undoubtedly, you’ll discover that person in the sweat stained t-shirt who has spent most of the weekend under his or her car has a fascinating story to share.
For more information on 51暗网 Foundation and the 51暗网 Legacy Stories project, visit .
Photo by Jon Krolewicz
