log onto the Internet for their preferred form of rest and relaxation:
sim racing. From their computers, they charge hard, fender to fender
at speeds up to 200 mph in simulated race cars, authentic down to the
technical details of aerodynamics, chassis setup, and tire pressure.
The vast majority of these racers drive in "pickup" races, that is,
they join a server during practice, run a race against complete or
near strangers, then never see those same drivers again.
Some, however, turn to the realm of league racing.
Online racing leagues offer a set racing schedule (many follow the
Winston Cup schedule, but certainly not all) and race for points
against the same drivers, race after race, just like their
"real-world" counterparts. Occasionally, their real-world
counterparts join them; Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Ryan Newman have been
known to race online. Leagues also offer a virtual venue for people
to meet, enjoy conversation and make friends.
One such league is BDR Motorsports Online Racing League. The men and
women at BDR Motorsports enjoy a healthy and vibrant online racing
community, where the racing, although important, is just a small slice
of the overall experience. They post serious, funny, and downright
strange messages on their message boards. They pray for one another
when they're sick or unemployed. They worry about and support the
troops. In short, they act like any other community.
That brings us to the amazing part of the story. As a community, BDR
Motorsports cares about its members, but also about just plain people.
As a result, the league is sponsoring the Race Across America
Marathon to benefit the Victory Junction Gang Camps founded by NASCAR
royalty Kyle Petty.
The Victory Junction Gang Camp is modeled after actor Paul Newman's
Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, which has locations in New York,
Connecticut, Florida, California, France and Ireland. When completed,
the Victory Junction Gang will provide services to seriously ill
children without expense to the family, and will be open year round
for week long summer camp sessions, family retreat weekends and
medical conferences.
Kyle and Pattie Petty founded the camp in honor of their son, Adam.
The camp will be located in Randleman, NC and Richard and Lynda Petty
have generously donated the property for the camp. The camp will serve
chronically ill children and is projected to open in 2004
BDR Motorsports Race Across America will be a 48 hour online racing
event, to be held on December 6 & 7, unlike any seen before. Entry
into the event will cost racers $10. Drivers will compete for several
prizes, including Most Wins, Most Poles, and Most Completed Laps. BDR
Motorsports hopes to raise at least $2500 which will be donated
directly to the Victory Junction Gang Camps. Donations will also be
accepted from well wishers with no desire to race in the event. More
information on the Race Across America is available at
www.bdrmotorsports.com. For information on the Victory Junction Gang,
click on www.victoryjunction.org.
Race Across America Schedule of Events:
December 6th and 7th 2003
http://www.racesimcentral.net/
Still time to sign up!
In addition to the 48 hour marathon to race the most laps, win the
most races and poles The following events are scheduled at
pre-determined times:
Only one prize will be awarded per entry for the following events.
1. 12/6/03 12:00 AM EST Servers Open Friday Night(Saturday morning)
when the big hand and little hand are on the number 12 (when Friday
turns into Saturday). Marathon Lap Counting Begins!
2. 12/6/03 Marzecmt.com Insomniac Race Qualifying starts at 12:30AM
EST meet in server Victory_Jnct7 CUP. Mystery Track. Winner receives
Event T-shirt!
3. 12/6/03 12:00 Noon EST. BDRhosting.com CTS Daytona Race. Server
Victory_Jnct7 25% Daytona fixed <fast> setup. Winner receives event
T-shirt.
4. 12/6/03 8:00 PM EST Guardian Mfg Speedway Hotlap Contest!....Not
your typical hotlap, fixed setup at a speedway with 100% tape. Last
man running wins event T-shirt! Run slower than minimum lap time get
DQed! Server Victory_Jnct7 CUP
5. 12/6/03 9:00PM EST Live For Speed CTS; Server Victory_Jnct7 CTS.
Michigan! Open Setups 20% Qualifying Race, Top ? of field advance to
Main Event 20% Winner receives copy of Live For Speed Touring Car
Simulation Game. First driver in bottom ? wins event T-shirt.
6. 12/7/03 12:00 Noon EST Sim Racing Network Texas Race. 25% Texas,
server Victory_Jnct7 CUP. Winner receives event T-shirt!
7. 12/7/03 8:00PM EST Fishme.com Shootout! Don't miss this one! Best
of Three shootout..3 races, One point per finishing position,
California, Michigan, Daytona. Lotto Start, Race one starts at 8:00PM
ESTrace 2 and 3 immediately follow. Server Victory_Jnct7 CUP. Winner
receives Backcountry Guided Fishing Charter in Flordia Keys by
Fishme.com , A $400 Value! (Good til 12/1/04, transportation/lodging
not included). Handicapped Race! AA Class champ wins fishing charter
and T-shirt, A Class champ wins Live for Speed Touring Car Simulation
Game, B Class champ wins Event T-shirt! Handicap System explanation
at http://www.racesimcentral.net/
Scheduled Events are first come first served until server fills, get
there early!
Marathon Servers Close 11:59PM Sunday
Marathon Weekend Overall Awards: (One per entry, if same driver wins
two classes 2nd place will receive next award)
Driver who completes most laps: Pitpassdiecast.com Team Caliber
Owners Series 1/24 Diecast, featuring Kyle Petty's Charity Ride Paint
Scheme for 2003 ($65.99 value).
Driver who wins the most races: Pitpassdiecast.com Kyle Petty Hands To
Victory 1/24 diecast by Action ($56.99 value).
Driver Who Won Most Poles: Liveforspeed.net Live For Speed Touring
Simulation Game ($20.00 value)