It may only be the start of the racing season in the Northeast, but Kolten Gouse Promotions is already in mid-season form.
The promotional team has finalized the list of charities that will prosper from this year’s National Open Injured Driver’s Benefit. This event will be run in conjunction with the Williams Grove National Open October 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Proceeds from this extravaganza will go to the York County Racing Club Injured Driver’s Fund, the World of Outlaws Benevolent Fund and the newest beneficiary, the Steve King Foundation, which is based out of Jetmore, Kan.
The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing and National Sprint Car Hall of Fame will also hold auctions from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to benefit their respective organizations.
The Steve King Foundation was established after the death of Steve King, who lost his life to a brain injury sustained during Wednesday’s qualifying night of the 2006 Knoxville Nationals.
Upon learning that there was no national organization to assist fellow members of the racing community, King’s family established The Steve King Foundation for the primary purpose of assisting drivers, pit crew members, officials and track operation personnel who are involved in dirt-track racing and are seriously ill, injured or killed.
The foundation also assists dirt-track organizations and facilities with obtaining and maintaining safety equipment or implementing safety measures to enhance and improve dirt-track racing.
Drivers that have been helped by this organization include Jeff Shepard, Joey Saldana, Jack Dover, Skip Jackson, Aaron Ott and Jack Soderman.
“The Steve King Foundation is honored to be a part of such a great fund raising event with the purpose of helping drivers, crew members and all racing families heal during tough times from a racing accident,” King’s sister, Danette King Amstein, said.
For more information on the Steve King Foundation, go to www.stevekingfoundation.org.
The York County Racing Club created its Injured Driver’s Fund to help any member driver that suffers an injury and loss of income while racing. Much of the club’s time is devoted to the various fundraisers needed to help injured drivers.
“The proceeds received from the auction at the National Open have been overwhelming,” said Todd Bender, YCRC Vice President. “The continued support of all those that donated items and their time to this auction will enable the YCRC Injured Driver’s Fund to continue with our intentions to help drivers that are injured in a racing accident and cannot race or return to work.
“This auction is by far the largest fund raising event YCRC has all year, and we look forward to remaining a part of it for years to come.”
The World of Outlaws Benevolent Fund was started three years ago by legendary car owners Jack Elden and Beverly and Casey Luna, along with Amy Swindell and Dana Kinser.
It’s a non-profit organization that helps drivers that currently run the circuit and previous drivers that have raced with the series. The fund has helped numerous drivers over the years that have sustained serious injuries that have prevented them from racing.
More information on the National Open Injured Driver’s Benefit will be released later this season as it becomes available.
Kolten Gouse Promotions
3950 Mountain View Road
Mechanicsburg PA 17055
(717)-275-6827 or koltengouseracing@yahoo.com