8/20/2015
Derek DeBoer
Racing in Sonoma for #CateStrong !
Derek DeBoer / Sonoma Release
Derek DeBoer is excited to announce his return to the Pirelli World Challenge in the TRG-AMR No. 09 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 at Sonoma Raceway August 28 – August 30. Derek will compete in the GTS class in two races that will be a part of the Verizon IndyCar Series event at the track.
Following successful early season events in the Pirelli World Challenge (most notably a career best sixth place finish in one of the two Circuit of the Americas races), Derek took time away from the series to focus on his effort to compete in the Aston Martin Festival race held just prior to the start of the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans. After some very good driving by Derek and a perfect pit stop call from the team, Derek and his co-driver Bob Bramledge claimed victory in the GT4 class at the race in France.
With the success of France behind Derek, his focus has been on returning to the Pirelli World Challenge series to compete with TRG-AMR. The opportunity has presented itself for Derek to drive on the Sonoma Raceway weekend.
Derek is very pleased to continue to promote Racing for Cancer at Sonoma. Ryan Hunter-Reay started the charity following his mother’s passing from cancer in 2009. Since 2010, Racing for Cancer has been working towards a goal of uniting motorsports fans, teams, drivers, and sponsors to take of their collective generosity to support the global fight to beat cancer. Through various fundraising programs, Racing for Cancer is focused on the awareness and value of early detection and prevention. Nearly one third of all cancer is said to be preventable. In addition, the charity aims to do more to help in the fight against childhood cancer. One in every 300 children will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 19 and cancer is the number one cause of disease-related death among children. With your help we can do more in advancing the global fight to beat cancer! Derek will have branding on his Vantage and will attend the Yellow Party fundraising event that Ryan is hosting with Andretti Autosport at Sonoma.
In addition, Derek has created a new fundraising campaign focused on a recent event involving a very special family friend. Five year old Cate Kingston was recently diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) at Rady's Children's Hospital in San Diego. This precious girl is gearing up for quite a battle. Her medical team believes her outlook is hopeful, but her treatment plan is going to be a trying 2.5 year journey. Those who know Cate recognize that her feisty warrior princess spirit and phenomenal support system will undoubtedly carry her through this challenging time, but the Kingston family has been told to expect the unexpected -- often by taking two steps forward and one step back. So bravely they go to battle for Cate together. Cate will be unable to attend kindergarten this year and will require in-home care for at least 8 months. Her parents, Brian and Stephanie, support a family of five and will now also be financing the costs of Cate's in-home care, medical prescriptions not covered by insurance, outpatient procedures, clinic visits, medical supplies and equipment, etc. as required by her prognosis. Many have asked what they can do to help. Donations for #CateStrong will go directly and exclusively to help with the costs of sweet Cate's medical treatment and recovery. Any amount is so gratefully appreciated and will make a significant difference.
Derek has launched his own fundraiser with #Catestrong branding that will also connect to Racing for Cancer. Derek would ask for $100.00 donations, of which, thank you to a donation matching program through TC Chevy of Ashland Oregon $100.00 would go to Cate's treatment and $50.00 would go to Racing for Cancer.
Here is a link to donate:
http://www.derekdeboerracing.com/shopping/productDetails.aspx?i=770508&c=10810
Derek and BRM Chronographs have developed a successful partnership after launching two different unique, limited edition BRM Chronographs together. The opportunity to continue to promote BRM’s highly unique motorsports inspired watches is perfect for Derek and BRM. This partnership will continue at Sonoma.
Finally, Derek will also partner with his clothing sponsor Pirata Della Strata at this event. The Texas based motorsports lifestyle clothing company has been a tremendous supporter of Derek’s 2015 racing campaign. Most notably, Pirata Della Strata designed and produced the limited edition shirt that was created as a fundraiser for Racing for Cancer at the Festival event in Le Mans. The company’s logos will be highly visible and look for shirts to be available for purchase at the race event.
Derek and the TRG-AMR are looking forward to a great weekend as a member of the team’s hometown race. The weekend will be filled with great racing on the track and a number of unique events off of the track organized by team principle Kevin Buckler. Most notably, Derek is looking forward to Kevin’s signature Friday evening event that is held annually for all of the Pirelli World Challenge owners, drivers, and staff. Derek will be looking to take the energy from this and channel it into his goal of top five finishes for the races.
No. 09 Racing for Cancer B.R.M. TRG-AMR Aston Martin Vantage GT4 driver Derek DeBoer, “I am thrilled and honored to be back on the track with TRG-AMR and the Pirelli World Challenge. This is a big race for us as we take a lot of pride being on our home turf. The entire team has made it possible for me to be here as well as the continued support and belief from B.R.M. Chronographes and Pirata Della Strada. I am also very proud of my position in representing Racing For Cancer and am dedicating this race to the recent moving on of my Aunt Phyllis and to our new campaign supporting the fight that young Cate Kingston has just begun. #CateStrong. I would also like to thank my entire family and the team at work for their continued support and putting up with me.”
Racing for Charity President and co-founder Tom Vossman added, "We want to thank Derek for his continued support to promote our cause and efforts to support the cancer community. We continue to look for ways to expand our footprint and gain new support in the global fight against this disease.”
TRG-AMR CEO Kevin Buckler, " We are all very pleased and excited for Derek to be back on track with the team and especially at our big home race. Watching his progression as a professional driver both on and off the track has been awe-inspiring and should be a textbook for many of the young drivers coming along. He aligns with a solid group of partners and sponsors and we all work together to win. Derek has shown speed, race craft, and a real understanding of the sport but most importantly he has the key ingredient…. extremely good judgment in high-risk situations. We are proud to have Derek as a team driver for TRG- Aston Martin Racing and are hoping for a strong result at Sonoma...”
Matt Ambroziak
707.758.3298 M
ambro76@gmail.com
