Race Fever 2005 Raises $175,000 for AIDB Foundation
5/2/2005 - Race Fever 2005 Raised $175,000
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lisa Sams, Communications & Media Specialist
(256) 761-3207 or sams.lisa@aidb.state.al.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 29, 2005
Race Fever Raised $175,000
Race Fever 2005 was a great success, attracting over 1,200 supporters
and raising $175,000 for the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind
Foundation (AIDBF).
The 20th annual event, held Friday night at the Speed Channel Dome at
the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, featured a barbecue dinner,
silent auction and live auction, including art, race driver-autographed
merchandise, a John Deere UATV 4 – wheeler and opportunities to shake
hands with all of the drivers during the pre-race introduction
ceremonies.
The John Deere UATV 4 fetched $7,500 at auction. It is part of the 650
Trail Buck Series and includes front and rear rack extensions with
integrated hand guards and stylish silver accents rear bumper, floor
bars, brush guards and rims. Greg Hubbard of Montgomery bought it for
his favorite personal pastime, hunting. Hubbard plans on returning to
Race Fever in 2006.
“I’ve been to almost every Race Fever over the last 20 years and I
always plan on returning,” stated Hubbard as he strolled behind the
trailer hauling his prize out of the doors.
NASCAR legends helmet with the signatures of Red Farmer, Ray Fox,
Junior Johnson, Benny Parsons, Richard Petty, Buddy Baker, Bobby
Allison and Ned Jarrett heated up the bidders as they furiously fought
each other with higher and higher bids, and a refurbished 2003 E-Z-Go
Golf Cart donated to the AIDB Foundation sold for $3,200.
“We had a wonderful time and we were sold out for over a month so we
knew that our 20th celebration would be a success. Most importantly we
raised $175,000 to support the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind,”
said Lynne Hanner, AIDB Executive Director of Institutional
Advancement.
Sonny Smith, legendary basketball coach, once again served as host for
the occasion, welcoming guests from all over the United States and
Canada to the Speed Channel Dome for the festivities. Ned Jarrett
served as master of ceremonies, interviewing over 25 race drivers
onstage before most took time out to sign autographs for fans in
attendance.
Some of the race drivers and personalities attending included Bobby
LaBonte, Kyle Petty, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart.
Two happy Race Fever attendees were Mike Bechtholdt and Bill Hill of
Northern California, whose winning $3,000 bid bought them Sunday’s
Nextel Victory Lane Experience. These two winners were admitted into
Victory Lane while the driver and team celebrated. After post-race
interviews, the lucky bidders had their photos taken with the Nextel
winner.
“This was our first visit to Talladega. We are having a great time and
we’re coming back to Race Fever 2006,” replied Bechtholdt as he was
asked about the event.
Throughout the evening, several people were honored for their continued
support of Race Fever since the beginning in 1986 including Phil
Barkdoll for his services as the Official Race Fever Auctioneer, Ned
Jarrett as the Master of Ceremonies and Bill France, Jr. for his vision
and the Talladega Superspeedway.
Alabama School for the Blind (ASB) students performed a drum therapy
session, which helped to jump start hearts, Helen Keller School (HKS) B
Boys provided musical entertainment and the Christian band, Damascus
Road, kept the room rocking throughout the evening. Also, the Alabama
School for the Deaf (ASD) cheerleaders performed several dances keeping
the crowd charged up for the live auction.
Race Fever is the largest source of unrestricted funds for the AIDB
Foundation, the private fundraising arm of the Alabama Institute for
Deaf and Blind. Through five campuses in Talladega and nine regional
centers throughout Alabama, AIDB serves more than 11,000 children and
adults who are deaf, blind and multidisabled each year.
Plans are already being made for Race Fever 2006, which will be held on
the Friday evening of the April race weekend at the Talladega
Superspeedway. Tables are already filling, so to reserve your table
before it sells out again, call (256) 761-3317 or go to
http://www.racefever.org/racefever.asp to buy your tickets online. For
more information about Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, please
visit AIDB.org.
Karyn Zweifel
AIDB.org Site Manager
Visit AIDB.org, the country's most
comprehensive source for education,
rehabilitation and services for people
with vision or hearing loss.