World Challenge Welcomes Special Operations Warriors to July 4 Races

WATKINS GLEN, June 29, 2009: In the spirit of Independence Day, SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car driver Nick Esayian has invited members of the U.S. Special Forces and family members of fallen Special Operators that have fallen to the Toyo Tires Watkins Glen Grand Prix Presented by Lala Motorsports at Watkins Glen International Raceway. The race is part of the Camping World Grand Prix weekend, July 3 – 5.

For more than 29 years, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation has provided college educations to the surviving members of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel killed in combat or training. The Foundation also works to provide immediate financial assistance to severely wounded special operations personnel.

A long-time supporter of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Esayian has extended an invite to several local servicemen and families of fallen soldiers to attend Round Five of the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Championship. The guests of honor will receive VIP treatment all weekend, getting a behind-the-scenes look at how World Challenge and its teams operate. With Independence Day falling on race day, it’s the ideal opportunity to show support for U.S. troops and raise awareness for a noble cause.

“We’ve brought in guys from the Special Forces and their families about half a dozen times before, but bringing them out to the track on Independence Day is going to be perfect,” Esayian, driver of the No. 34 BimmerWorld/GearWrench BMW 328i said. “I’ve never had trouble drumming up support in the World Challenge paddock when I have SOWF guests, and this weekend will be no different. We’ll show them a good time and hopefully put a spotlight on the great things the SOWF is doing.

“The U.S Special Forces have truly been the tip of the spear since 9/11,” Esayian added. “These guys do amazing things in the darkest corners of the earth and the least we can do is make sure we are taking care of their kids. I’m very proud the World Challenge Community has supported me over the last five years in showing my friends from the Special Operations Warrior Foundation that the racing community truly appreciates and supports them.”

The servicemen and families in attendance on July 4 at Watkins Glen will be treated to a World Challenge GT race at 4:45 p.m. (EDT), shortly after IndyCar qualifying. The World Challenge Touring Car race follows at 6 p.m. Live timing and streaming audio will be available at www.world-challenge.com. Both races will be televised on SPEED, Wednesday, July 22, at 2 p.m. (EDT).