Operation Motorsport Announces
Race of Remembrance Drivers
- Two-car team boasts 8 North American drivers
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#22 Operation Motorsport USA / Skip Barber Racing
- Hunter Reeve
- Kevin Boehm
- Mike Stillwagon
- Jason Bivins
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#220 Operation Motorsport CDA / Skip Barber Racing
- Theo Bruulsema
- Travis Hill
- John Weisberg
- Huw Leahy
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Raleigh, NC (October 28, 2022)
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Today, Operation Motorsport announced its driver lineup for the upcoming Race of Remembrance (RoR) to be held November 11-13, 2022, at Anglesey Circuit, Wales, UK. Operation Motorsport is the only North American team competing in the 12-hour sportscar endurance race, which is highlighted by a pit lane Remembrance Service on Sunday morning. The team will field two Skip Barber Racing Honda Civic Type - R with eight drivers representing the USA and Canada highlighting for Foundations first time, two Beneficiary drivers – Hunter Reeve, Theo Bruulsema, Kevin Boehm, Travis Hill, Mike Stillwagon, John Weisberg, Jason Bivins, and Huw Leahy.
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“Going back to Anglesey Circuit where the seed for Operation Motorsport was first planted by our friends at Mission Motorsport. Reflecting on what we’ve achieved, in five short years as a Foundation, it all seems a little surreal at times”, says OpMo CEO & Cofounder Diezel Lodder. “I couldn’t be prouder of this team for never losing sight of the mission through the mountains of challenges along the way. Thank you to all of our partners and supporters who have stood with us, we wouldn’t be here without you.”
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#22 Operation Motorsport USA / Skip Barber Racing Honda Civic Type-R
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Sergeant (RET) Hunter Reeve
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Hunter served in the US Army as an OH-58D Crew Chief from 2011 – 2017 before being medically discharged. He raced karts in the early 2000s, moved on to track days, then on his racing simulator, racing in OpMo iRacing League, and finally completing Skip Barber Racing School earlier this year.
“I was picked to be the beneficiary driver in the USA team car, and I take a lot of pride in that, and it’s an honor to me. The race has a somber meaning in that it’s on Remembrance Day, but I also look at it as a celebration. It’s a celebration that both Operation Motorsport and Mission Motorsport have made an impact on veterans who have life-long injuries and have given them something they can really dig themselves into and find a new passion or, in my case, a new career.”
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Kevin is an award-winning professional race car driver for CrowdStrike Racing / AWS and a two-time TC America Touring Car Champion. Boehm is also an accomplished motor sports engineer and test driver who specializes in developing cars at the limit. He has more than a decade of combined experience as an OEM test and race engineer. He received his B.S. with a concentration in Motorsports from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
“We’ve known about Race of Remembrance since we started working with Operation Motorsport in 2020, and we have always dreamed of participating. Thanks to our partnership with AWS and our shared vision for helping wounded warriors, that dream will become a reality. Many of the beneficiaries we have worked with over the last few years will be attending as well. We are excited to see them in action in new, challenging roles within the team.”
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Mike is from Northport Long Island NY and is the lead instructor for the Skip Barber Racing School. A professional race car driver, competing in touring car HPD Honda, GT cars in SCCA and NASA, with multiple championships in GT cars. Mike also serves as a safety car driver for SRO Motorsports Group America and IMSA.
“Skip Barber Racing asked me to represent the company as one of the American drivers, and I’m happy and grateful to take part. This is a special weekend to honor our veterans, which I am both passionate and proud of. The best thank you I can give them is to represent and win the race!”
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Jason lives in Southern California with his wife, three children, two chihuahuas, a cat, and a couple of race cars. Only a couple years into his sportscar racing journey, he has already been able to compete on some of the most exciting racetracks on the West Coast; Sonoma is a current favorite!
“I am absolutely thrilled to be part of the Operation Motorsport team as they take on the very meaningful 2022 Race of Remembrance. I’ve seen first-hand the positive outcomes experienced by beneficiaries who are in the Operation Motorsport program. My hope is that during this week together in Wales, I can encourage a lot of smiles and laughter in these folks who are living with physical and mental traumas. I have not walked in their shoes, but I’m here to help be a part of this support system that’s being created by Operation Motorsport.”
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#220 Operation Motorsport CDA / Skip Barber Racing Honda Civic Type-R
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2nd Lieutenant (RET) Theo Bruulsema
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Theo served in the Royal Canadian Air Force for 7 years, completing a university degree in Aerospace Engineering and trained to be an Aerospace Control Officer before being medically retired. He joined Operation Motorsport in 2018, gaining experience with fuel and tires for a variety of teams, while using the OpMo iRacing leagues and karting to hone his driving skills. After a few seasons as a 2nd tech for the Alegra Motorsports GT3 program and support engineer for the TWOth Autosport TCR program, Theo completed a season of miata racing in Calabogie and successfully completed the Skip Barber Racing School.
“I feel very fortunate to have these opportunities to learn new skills and have meaningful work. Finding a healthy and happy civilian life after a medical release is challenging in so many ways, and I’m so thankful to Operation Motorsport for helping me get to where I am, both in motorsports and for the rest of my life. To go to Race of Remembrance again, this time as a driver is something I’ve been looking forward to since 2018!”
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Whether in the driver’s seat, right seat, pit cart, or office chair, Travis Hill eats, sleeps and breathes sportscar racing. Following their passion from a young age, Travis, alongside brother Trevor began in kart racing and built careers around developing, building, supporting and driving high performance cars, culminating in their racing team, TWOth Autosport. In addition to team management, Travis’ racing pedigree includes numerous GrandAm/IMSA race starts with victories in SRO and FEL, including 2021 drivers championship in the FEL Sports Car Championship Canada. In October 2022, the Canadian driver would represent Team Canada in the Touring Car discipline at the FIA Motorsport Games at Paul Ricard in France. Away from competition, Travis is never far from the track, serving as a board member of Operation Motorsport, track pro at Calabogie Motorsports Park, and a factory certified coach with Porsche.
“More than the fun driving experience, I’m racing this year to complete a mission we set in 2019; to return and race alongside our incredible beneficiaries! It means so much to see the progress these men and women have made over the years and even more to see them living out their dreams.”
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A former business owner who is now semi-retired, Huw has been racing for several years. He has competed in various car classes in both sprint and endurance racing series, most recently competing in a Radical SR3 in the FEL Motorsports Radical Cup Canada.
“I decided to race in Race of Remembrance after meeting Operation Motorsport beneficiaries, who assist the team that I race with. I think motorsports is a great venue to help veterans with their recovery efforts and to help them transition to a new phase of their lives. The work that Operation Motorsport does is wonderful, and I am proud to stand on their team as a driver. My participation in this race means continuing to support those who have and continue to fight for our country. Doing this race in Wales is extra special because I was born in the UK and my great- grandfather and grandfather served in WWI & WWII. Both will be in my thoughts throughout the event. ”
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Owner and principal driver of BERG Racing, successfully racing in SCCA, IMSA, GRAND-AM, PCA, BMWCCA, and NASA for over 20 years. John earning a degree from Southern Connecticut State University while club racing and working as a race engineer. In 2011 John made his first start in Rolex GT in a Pratt and Miller GTO and a second GT start in the Salens Six Hours in a Crawford Corvette. John managed the team to a win in the ST class at the 2014 Indianapolis IMSA race. In 2016 John scored a win at Utah in Pirelli World Challenge and continued to finish 4th in the season championship. Currently John races the REDCOM Mazda MX5 in SCCA Majors races.
“Racing in the RoR is a great honor for me. As a veteran (US Army, Cavalry Scout) remembering our fallen brothers is hugely important to me. OpMo has given me the opportunity to participate, remember and help my fellow veterans and regardless of where we finish in the race it willsurely be a great experience.”
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Race of Remembrance serves as a way for Operation Motorsport to come together as a team, tapping into the skills and confidence Beneficiaries have gained through Motorsport Immersion activations across the IMSA, SRO, and FEL Motorsports paddocks. In addition to Reeve and Bruulsema, the two Beneficiaries behind the wheel, the team will be joined by 11 more Beneficiaries who will perform a variety of team duties on the race cars, in pit lane and the paddock. During the week leading up to the event, the team will participate in Operation Motorsport team-building activities.
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The Race of Remembrance provides a life-changing opportunity for medically retried and wounded service members to connect with other veterans with shared experiences and challenges while pausing to remember the importance and reason behind Veteran’s/Remembrance Day. Camaraderie, team, and remembrance are why Operation Motorsport drivers, crew members, and partners are proud to participate.
To follow the team’s progress during the Race of Remembrance, be sure to follow us at;
Twitter: @OpsMotorsport
Instagram: OperationMotorsport
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ABOUT RACE OF REMEMBRANCE:
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Race of Remembrance is the brainchild of Jon Earp, Mission Motorsport volunteer and a Welsh Air Ambulance pilot. The race raised money for the Mission Motorsport charity, affiliated with Help for Heroes. Mission Motorsport are appointed by the British Army Motorsport Association and operating in direct support of the Defence Recovery Capability, Mission Motorsport provides respite, rehabilitation, vocational support, and training to those affected by military operations within the framework of Motorsport. Mission Motorsport concentrate on getting injured service personnel back into civilian life after injuries sustained on active duty.
An array of professional drivers has shown their support of the charity, these include Tom Onslow-Cole Paul O’Neil, Dan Welch, Calum Lockie, Elliott Cole along with Mission Motorsport founder Major James Cameron and Jon Earp. Appearances also include ex professional footballer Luther Blissett and Radio Le Mans commentator John Hindhaugh.
The race will be paused at 10:45am on 13 November 2022 for a remembrance service held in the pit lane by an army chaplain. The 12-hour endurance race is the first in history to be pause for a remembrance service midway through the race.
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ABOUT THE SKIP BARBER RACING SCHOOL
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With international racing experience, celebrated skill, and the firm belief that competitive race car driving was teachable, Skip Barber founded his legendary racing school in 1975. Since that first class, over 400,000 students have become racers and champions.
Today, we are the world’s largest automotive education and entertainment company offering driving and racing schools at the finest tracks in America. We operate the Skip Barber Formula Race Series, field championship race teams in TC and TC America, create innovative OEM programs that elevate the finest automotive marques, and produce corporate programs that build teamwork and recognize outstanding achievement.
No experience rivals the Skip Barber Racing School. For more information on our programs, call us at 866-932-1949 or visit us online at skipbarber.com.
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ABOUT MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
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Michelin, the leading mobility company, is working with tires, around tires, and beyond tires to enable Motion for Life. Dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility and sustainability, Michelin designs and distributes the most suitable tires, services and solutions for its customers’ needs. Michelin provides digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences. Bringing its expertise to new markets, the company is investing in high-technology materials, 3D printing and hydrogen, to serve a wide a variety of industries — from aerospace to biotech. Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, Michelin North America has approximately 22,500 employees and operates 34 production facilities in the United States and Canada. ( https://www.michelinman.com/)
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In 2006, Amazon Web Services (AWS) began offering IT infrastructure services to businesses in the form of web services -- now commonly known as cloud computing. One of the key benefits of cloud computing is the opportunity to replace up-front capital infrastructure expenses with low variable costs that scale with your business. With the Cloud, businesses no longer need to plan for and procure servers and other IT infrastructure weeks or months in advance. Instead, they can instantly spin up hundreds or thousands of servers in minutes and deliver results faster.
Today, Amazon Web Services provides a highly reliable, scalable, low-cost infrastructure platform in the cloud that powers hundreds of thousands of businesses in 190 countries around the world.
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(Nasdaq: CRWD), a global cybersecurity leader, has redefined modern security with the world’s most advanced cloud-native platform for protecting critical areas of enterprise risk — endpoints and cloud workloads, identity and data.
Powered by the CrowdStrike Security Cloud and world-class AI, the CrowdStrike Falcon® platform leverages real-time indicators of attack, threat intelligence, evolving adversary tradecraft and enriched telemetry from across the enterprise to deliver hyper-accurate detections, automated protection and remediation, elite threat hunting and prioritized observability of vulnerabilities.
Purpose-built in the cloud with a single lightweight-agent architecture, the Falcon platform delivers rapid and scalable deployment, superior protection and performance, reduced complexity and immediate time-to-value.
CrowdStrike: We stop breaches.
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Recaro Automotive has three locations in Europe, the USA and Japan. We design, manufacture, and market complete seats representative of our core competencies of design, ergonomics, robustness, lightweight construction, and first-class workmanship, under the brand name Recaro. Recaro Automotive Seating offers passenger car seats for OEMs and the aftermarket, using the brand Recaro under a license of the Recaro Holding. For more information, please visit: https://www.recaro-automotive.com/us/
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REDCOM Laboratories, Inc. is a U.S. company that specializes in the development of advanced strategic, operational, and tactical communication solutions with a focus on interoperability, flexibility, and ease of use. REDCOM has a long history of successful deployments at the highest levels of government, in telephone networks around the globe, and in leading Department of Defense (DoD) communications programs for the Army, Air Force, Marines, and Navy.
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Operation Motorsport is a Veteran Led and Operated, 501(c)3 Not for Profit, based in Raleigh, North Carolina and Brighton, Ontario, serving American & Canadian service members and veterans and was founded on the basis of three simple words: Excite, Engage and Empower. The premise is to engage, through Motorsport's opportunities, medically retiring or retired Service Members, affected by military service, aiding in their recovery.
For more information @OpsMotorsport and to donate, visit
http://operationmotorsport.org/
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If you or someone you know is in need of help or someone to talk to
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217 Richmond St, Brighton, Ontario, Canada
(613) 475-0236 | info@OperationMotorsport.org
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