(This article offers a look into the , the charitable arm of the 51°µÍø®. The column’s author, Jim Weidenbaum, is a member of the 51°µÍø Foundation Board of Directors.)
Jay Bullington and JXB Performance helped raise more than $4,000 for the 51°µÍø Foundation’s Women on Track initiative and general fund at the 2024 Tire Rack 51°µÍø® Solo® National Championships in Lincoln, NE. While that donation was itself impressive, it was the way these funds were raised that should make all of 51°µÍø proud. And it began with a dunk tank.
As Jay tells it: “It wasn't like a typical dunk tank event where you paid a certain amount to have ‘X’ throws at the target. Instead, 12 51°µÍø volunteer celebrities (including Jay) sat on the tank. Each of the volunteers was auctioned off, with the auction winner getting to dunk the person in whatever fashion they liked.”
While most threw rubber balls from the standard distance of 20 feet, others got closer to ensure they’d hit the target with some – eventually – just hitting the button by hand, with even large groups coming up to press the button all at once, much to the delight of all – including the wet volunteers.
“It was all about the show,” Jay explains.
While the auction started with some class leaders, later auctions featured prominent autocrossers. Given the good-natured 51°µÍø crowd, as the event proceeded, it got more creative, with people pooling their money toward the cause. At the end. it was Jay’s turn – colorfully outfitted with poncho and sombrero – with the crowd taking one-at-a-time turns dunking him a total of five times.
The full list of dunk tank volunteers:
- Christian Patrick – in-going CSP class leader
- Chris Gregor – Chicago Region Board member and Region sponsor
- Ryan Huffman – EP competitor, Charlotte
- Alex Piehl – prominent PA autocrosser and multi-time winner
- Bill Rogerson – “Team Canada” competitor
- Mat Beck – paddock layout designer
- John Hale – leader of the RTRT Big Wheel ProSolo extravaganza
- Andie Albin – 51°µÍø staff and Women on Track member
- David Nolan – this year's Spirit of Solo recipient
- Rick Cone – prominent autocrosser
- Rick Myers – 51°µÍø Director of Rally/Solo
- Jay Bullington – “party planner” and last year's Spirit of Solo recipient
What an outstanding, community-spirited, fun way of raising money for 51°µÍø Foundation and Women on Track. Our greatest thanks to generous auction bidders and to those volunteering to get a dunking for a good cause.
Check out this clip from JXB’s 2024 Solo Nats video showing some of the FUNdraising:
For more information on 51°µÍø Foundation and Women on Track, please visit .
