History was made last weekend as the world's premier motorcycle racing series, Moto GP, made its inaugural visit to the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Another kind of history was made on Saturday, Sept. 13, when the first Lap of Champions took place on the new Moto GP circuit. This special Ride for Kids fundraising event, which raised more than $49,000 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, offered an enthusiastic group of riders the opportunity to take their motorcycles for a parade lap around the new track.
A sold-out crowd gathered at the famous Brickyard Crossing to sign in. After a rider's meeting everyone climbed aboard their bikes and rode on a cart path of the adjoining golf course to access the track. The group was led by custom bike builder Roland Sands, a former AMA National Road Racing Champion, National Ride for Kids Director Kyle Clack, and brain tumor survivor Bayleigh Jones, who rode with her father, Chris. Along with RFK founder Mike Traynor, the group made a full circuit of the track to the applause and waving flags of the corner workers.
Afterward the riders gathered in the pavilion and learned about the Ride for Kids program and the work of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Bayleigh told the group about her battle with a brain tumor and her love of motorcycling. "As a brain tumor survivor and PBTF scholarship recipient, I really appreciate the help you give to all of us," she said.
A drawing for several prizes followed, and lucky donors won an AGV GP Tech helmet, AGV Sport leathers, boots and gloves, a new set of Dunlop tires and an Aerostich suit courtesy of our generous sponsors. Brian Kissinger of O'Fallon, Ill., was the Champion Fundraiser with $3,000 turned in to help the kids. Special thanks to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway team, especially Mel Harder, senior vice president of operations, for making the event possible. Thanks also go to Brickyard Crossing, Honda of Noblesville, Dreyer Honda and many local volunteers for all their help during the weekend, and to the event's sponsors, AGV, AGV Sport, Dunlop Tires, and Aerostich.
About the PBTF Ride for Kids
Since 1984, the national Ride for Kids program and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) have promoted childhood brain tumor research and provided family support through free literature about brain tumors, educational newsletters, online conferences and college scholarships. With the help of America's motorcycling community, the PBTF has become the world's largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor research.