NHRA Top Fuel drag racer Doug Herbert is doing all he can to slam the B.R.AK.E.S. on the dangers of teens texting while driving.

After his two sons were killed in a tragic automobile accident in 2008, Herbert founded B.R.A.K.E.S (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe).

“We have really received an outpouring of support,” Herbert said in a recent phone interview with Attitude's Competitionplus.com. “The program continues to grow strong and we've done some excellent work in a short period of time.”

Not only does B.R.A.K.E.S. teach teens the dangers of talking on cell phones and texting while operating a motor vehicle, it also conducts a driving school. The driving school recently conducted a session on Jan. 9 at the BMW Performance Center in Greer, S.C.

NHRA Top Fuel drag racer Doug Herbert is doing all he can to slam the B.R.AK.E.S. on the dangers of teens texting while driving.

After his two sons were killed in a tragic automobile accident in 2008, Herbert founded B.R.A.K.E.S (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe).

“We have really received an outpouring of support,” Herbert said in a recent phone interview with Attitude's Competitionplus.com. “The program continues to grow strong and we've done some excellent work in a short period of time.”

Not only does B.R.A.K.E.S. teach teens the dangers of talking on cell phones and texting while operating a motor vehicle, it also conducts a driving school. The driving school recently conducted a session on Jan. 9 at the BMW Performance Center in Greer, S.C.
 
“Being involved in B.R.A.K.E.S. is extremely therapeutic for me,” Herbert said, who is the son of late drag racing pioneer Chet Herbert. “Even if we can save one kid's life and teach them to spread this kind of awareness, then it's worthwhile to me.”

Herbert's program also offers teen driving contracts and provides awareness on the dangers of street racing.

Herbert plans to have booths setup at zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C., for both NHRA events in 2010.

“We're definitely looking forward to spread more awareness during those two events,” Herbert said.

Herbert has also had involvement from the local racing community in the Charlotte area as former NASCAR driver Ricky Rudd and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Dennis Setzer have both volunteered time at B.R.A.K.E.S. clinics. Herbert has also had NASCAR legend Bobby Allison participate in clinics.

Although Herbert only participated in two Top Fuel events in 2009, he expects to run another limited schedule in 2010.

“For what we had to work with I think we did pretty good last season,” Herbert said. “We're still searching for sponsorship for the 2010 season and we'll have to see what we can get.”

The 42-year-old Herbert has 10 Top Fuel victories in his career.

Herbert has also teamed up with former NASCAR crew chief Ray Evernham to achieve a new land speed record in the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

“I've known Ray for years and he's a super nice guy. One day we were in my shop (Doug Herbert Performance, Lincolnton, N.C.) and Ray saw the car and was like, 'What's that?' I asked him if he wanted be my partner and he agreed.”

The Herbert-Evernham Land Speed Project (www.lsrproject.com) will be testing as much as they can at the Laurinburg/Maxton Airport in Maxton, N.C., in an effort to break the land speed record of 500 mph.

“We both feel like we will have a better shot at setting the record if we hold off on running the car at Bonneville until next year,” Herbert said. “ We want to be able to run the car a few times and make adjustments before we head out west for Speed Week."

The Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) will conduct Speed Week 2010 in August.

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