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Todd Buras Signs with Research Racing and BSI Racing for 2008 MX-5 Cup


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BOCA RATON, Fla. (March 24, 2008) - Research Racing, LLC is pleased to announce the 2008 “Drive To Survive” campaign has signed perennial MX-5 Cup favorite and hot shoe Todd Buras to drive their BSI Racing Mazda MX-5 race car in this year’s SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup. The effort, one of several initiatives by the team for 2008, is designed to raise awareness and $1,000,000 in funding for pancreatic cancer research.

The mission for team principals Allan Boshell, of Boca Raton, Fla., and Chad Stanford, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in fielding a car with Buras behind the wheel, is to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer and to encourage others to go to the Foundation website: www.pancreaticcure.org.

“We are delighted to be working with the BSI team and to have Todd behind the wheel of the www.pancreaticcure.org car,” Boshell said with enthusiasm.

“The brightly colored car is hard to miss with its purple lettering”, added BSI Racing team principal Stu Brumer, a cancer survivor himself. “We are honored to be part of this important effort.”

The Foundation’s purpose is to fund research devoted to pancreatic cancer. This is done by partnering with the team’s other sponsor, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network www.pancan.org, one of the nation’s largest and most active organizations devoted to wiping out this dreadful disease.

“Todd’s experience and accomplishments on the track and in the SCCA Pro series will help us make a giant step in this year’s awareness and fund-raising campaign”, added Boshell.

In 2007, the Patty Boshell Pancreatic Cancer Foundation agreed to fund a research award for $100,000. Now, they have set a goal of $1,000,000 for the rest of 2008 and beyond. The research awards go to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, who then selects recipients under the strict guidelines of the American Association of Cancer Research. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., yet receives the least amount of federal funding for research, prevention and treatment.

Patty Boshell, a long-time Boca Raton resident died in September of 2005 from the disease. Her husband Allan, Patty’s childhood friend Lisa Young and several of Patty’s friends formed the foundation in her name, with a mission to improve the dismal statistics of this deadly cancer. They have raised over $100,000 in just two years and have big plans for the future.

“I didn’t realize it before, but it was a grassroots effort by the friends and relatives of Susan G. Komen that brought so much attention to breast cancer,” Buras said. “Through the work of this foundation we hope to also raise people’s awareness of pancreatic cancer and provide hope to those who must endure it. I am really excited to be back with BSI for another season and to be a representative for the Research Racing team.”

The 2008 SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup season begins at Road Atlanta, May 2 – 4, during the Classic Motorsports Magazine Mitty ’08 Speedfest.

SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup

Stepping up in place of the former MAZDASPEED Miata Cup, the Mazda MX-5 Cup made its debut in 2006. Featuring identical Mazda MX-5s on spec Kumho tires, MX-5 Cup gives drivers the opportunity to run on high-profile weekends in an economical, entry-level racing series. As part of the MAZDASPEED Driver Development Ladder, the 2008 MX-5 Cup Champion will receive a ride in the SCCA SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship, courtesy of Mazda. The 2008 MX-5 Cup schedule features eight races at prestigious events across North America, and with grids composed of roughly 30 cars at each race, MX-5 Cup has become one of the best shows in motorsports today. For more information, visit www.mx-5cup.com.

About the Patty Boshell Pancreatic Cancer Foundation

Founded in 2006 the Patty Boshell Pancreatic Cancer Foundation was established to aid in the advancement of research, education, and awareness of pancreatic cancer. The Foundation’s focus is to increase the funding to organizations dedicated to pancreas cancer research with special emphasis on scientific discovery for early detection and prevention. For more information go to www.pancreaticcure.org or call Diane Serianni at 954-592-0866.

About Research Racing

Founded in 2007 to compete in various sports car and road racing series events. Research Racing is dedicated to increasing awareness and funding for pancreatic cancer research within the racing community and the community at large through partner sponsors. The team works closely with BSI Racing of Ormond Beach to build, prepare, and field the cars. For more information you can go to www.research-racing.com