Local Racer Nick Galante will complete a 4,000-mile cross-country journey Tuesday afternoon at approximately 4:00 p.m. at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca while he waits to compete later this year in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Series.
MONTEREY, Calif. June 22, 2020—The Racing to End Alzheimer’s BMW M4 will roll into Monterey on Tuesday to conclude a road trip that began two weeks ago in Daytona Beach, Fla., called On the Road Again: The Ultimate Tour for the Cure. The impossible-to-miss black and purple BMW is covered with more than 80 names of people affected by Alzheimer’s, a moving tribute to loved ones that will continue to grow as the tour progresses across the United States.
On the Road Again: The Ultimate Tour for the Cure is a 4,000-mile road trip from coast to coast. Racing to End Alzheimer’s founder Phil Frengs is driving the BMW M4, which looks identical to the No. 80 BimmerWorld BMW M4 GT4 that competes in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Series.
Usually, fans can see all of the names on the race car. But with racing on hiatus right now, Racing to End Alzheimer’s decided to take the tribute on the road. It is part of a unique way to raise money to fund the care and fund the cure. For $250, a donor can add the name and hometown of a loved one affected by Alzheimer’s to the car. Corporate sponsor Legistics matches the $250 so that each name represents $500. When racing gets underway again in July, the name will be on the race car, too.
One of the things that makes Racing to End Alzheimer’s special is that 100% of all donated funds plus matches are granted to charity partners, while all of the administrative and marketing expenses are funded by Legistics. Previous charity partners of Racing to End Alzheimer’s include the Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist Hospital and UCLA’s Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care facility. Last week, Frengs stopped at the Nantz National Alzheimer Center to deliver a check for $78,632.
On the Road Again: The Ultimate Tour for the Cure concludes in Monterey on Tuesday, June 23. Fans can join the tour virtually at r2endalz.org, on Instagram (@racing2endalz) and on Facebook (@r2endalz).
ABOUT RACING TO END ALZHEIMER’S
Racing to End Alzheimer’s was founded in 2017 by Phil Frengs. His company, Legistics, is a longtime motorsports sponsor, but when Phil’s wife Mimi was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, he realized that a race car could be an effective fundraising platform if he covered it with names of dementia victims instead of just company logos. The first year, Racing to End Alzheimer’s raised $43,500. The donations more than doubled in 2018 and 2019, totaling over $100,000 each year. Racing to End Alzheimer’s donates 100% of the proceeds. Previous recipients were UCLA’s Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program, the Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist Hospital, and Baycrest Foundation. Learn more about Racing to End Alzheimer’s or donate to remember your loved one on their website.
About WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a world-renowned 2.238-mile traditional road course that was built in 1957 and was known at the time as Laguna Seca Raceway. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is owned by the County of Monterey and operated by A&SD Narigi Consulting, LLC. The 2020 premier event schedule includes the
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship featuring the Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship September 4-6,
NTT IndyCar Series featuring the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Doubleheader September 18-20,
Ferrari Challenge Series September 24-27,
GEICO Motorcycle MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey October 23-25,
