Amateur Race Car Driver Helps IHDI Spread Awareness
John Cawley is helping promote awareness of hip dysplasia by representing the IHDI with the logo and web address on his race car. John approached the IHDI offering to donate the decal space on his car. All the IHDI had to to was provide a high-quality digitial image and he took care of the rest, including qualifying “on the pole” at Virginia International Raceway. That means “First” in racing language. He finished third overall in a field of 42 cars and recorded the fastest lap time of the race.
Amateur sports car racing is a popular activity, and we’re now gaining visibility with every race John competes in. He caught the “racing bug” as a child, and four years ago John convinced his wife to let him get into the sport. In addition to owning his own business, he’s a certified Grand-Am driver and instructor who enjoys helping Ferrari owners develop their skills on the track. John races in the Miata series with his own car and sometimes leases his car to other amateurs to help with expenses of racing. We’re grateful to John for his support.
Here are some of John’s comments:
“I have spoken with Dr. Price a number of times to see where IHDI is headed and what things they are doing and how I can help get the word out. It is a great cause and I am happy to be able to get some more awareness.”
“There was some great response to the first weekend having IHDI on the car. This type of racing series doesn’t have much “sponsorship” on the cars, so when there is an opportunity for me to put something on the car, I do it. I had a number of people come up to me that were interested in what it [IHDI] was and how I had a big “sponsor” on the car. I was able to give them some background information on IHDI, HALO, and the Git-R-Done Foundation.”
In the future John hopes to race on the club level for a full regional series each year, and possible move on to Grand-Am racing should the opportunity and means ever present itself. For now though, John says: “I’m just happy to be able to do what I have been doing and helping out a worthy cause.”
John currently runs his car in two club racing organizations: NASA and SCCA. His next race is scheduled for May 7th and 8th at Daytona International Raceway.
