INDYCAR Driver Combining Racing, Philanthropy
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe first British woman to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 is partnering with an international charity during the Month of May. Pippa Mann is helping to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen organization. She says the project grew from the idea of painting her helmet pink in support of the fight against breast cancer. During a recent interview on Inside INdiana Business Television, Mann discussed how driving for a smaller team can offer more flexibility for partners and sponsors. May 2, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Thursday, May 1, 2014 – British racing driver Pippa Mann is pleased to announce a partnership with Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, for this year's Indianapolis 500, in a campaign to help raise funds and awareness throughout the month of May.
Every two minutes, one case of breast cancer is diagnosed in a woman in the U.S., which means over the next month, nearly 20,000 cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the US. This May, Mann will be doing her part to join in the fight to help end this disease.
Returning to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Dale Coyne Racing, Mann will pilot the No. 63 car in what will be her third Indy 500 appearance. From Opening Day at IMS through Race Day, Mann's car, helmet, firesuit and more will be turned pink, in an effort to raise awareness and serve as a reminder to IndyCar fans about the importance of being informed about breast cancer and taking action for their own breast health. In addition, for every lap of the speedway that Mann’s Indycar completes throughout the month of May, fans and supporters will have the opportunity to pledge an amount via the website, from which all donations will go directly to Komen to fund breast cancer research, education and outreach programs.
“Millions of people will see Pippa's pink car and gear, bringing awareness about this very serious disease,” said Komen President and CEO Judy Salerno, M.D., M.S. “We're so appreciative of Pippa's commitment to her fans, and racing fans everywhere, and, especially, to the fight against breast cancer.”
Speaking about the partnership, Mann said: “This entire project started with the idea of simply taking my red crash helmet, and turning it pink to support the cause, and it has grown into something fairly amazing in a very short space of time. My Indianapolis 500 this year is no longer about me. This pink car will be out on track representing Komen, representing the survivors, and remembering those who sadly did not win their hard fought battles against breast cancer. To have been a part of creating this opportunity for Susan G. Komen at the Indianapolis 500, and to now be a part of actually making this happen, is something I am incredibly proud of.”
Mann will not only be re-joining the Dale Coyne Racing team, with whom she raced in four Indycar events last year, the British driver will also be teaming up with her Indy 500 race engineer from 2011, Brandon Fry. This was a partnership that saw Mann, a one-off entry in her rookie Indycar race, secure one of the 33 starting spots, despite the presence of 42 drivers attempting to qualify for the field that year.
The British driver added: “Dale Coyne Racing has an amazing crew coming on board to staff the No. 63 car, and I can't thank Dale and the team enough for their support of this project, and for all the hard work they have also put into this behind the scenes. We will be out there not only racing for position, and competing in a classic racing sense against our competitors on track, but we will also be out there racing for the cure.”
Team Owner Dale Coyne commented: “I could not think of being involved with an organization any closer to your heart than Susan G. Komen. There is barely a family or person that has not been affected by this disease. Pippa, Komen and I especially appreciate this opportunity to bring further awareness and most importantly contribute funding for all of the great things the Susan G. Komen organization does for women in their fight against breast cancer.”
Opening Day for the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 is Sunday, May 11, and the pledge site – which can be accessed at www.racewithpippa.com – will be available from today, through midnight on Race Day, Sunday, May 25.
About Susan G. Komen
Susan G. Komen is the world's largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $800 million in research and provided $1.7 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs serving millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.
About Pippa Mann
Having grown up as a race fan, Pippa Mann began her motorsport career in Europe, before moving to the States in 2009 to compete in the Firestone Indy Lights Series. There she became the first female in history to win a pole at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and only the second woman ever to win an Indy Lights race. In 2011, Mann became the eighth woman in history to qualify for and race in the Indianapolis 500, and the first British female to do so. In addition to her racing commitments, the British driver is a regular voice on IMS Radio Network's coverage of the IZOD IndyCar Series, and has made guest appearances as co-presenter for NBCSN's television coverage of the Firestone Indy Lights series. Mann also works with young and upcoming female drivers through her association with Glass Hammer Racing – an organization created to encourage the interest and participation of young women in motorsport. Visit www.pippamann.com.
Source: The Race With Pippa Campaign