BID ON TASCA FIRESUIT TO BENEFIT CHARITY

The firesuit worn in competition by professional drag racer Bob Tasca III at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio this year is now up for auction, with all proceeds to be donated to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).

Tasca drove as fast as 306.88 mph at the race, covering the 1,000-foot track in as little as 4.139 seconds to qualify fifth and eventually reach the semifinals in the incredibly competitive NHRA Full Throttle Series Funny Car category.

The firesuit was designed by 11-year-old NHRA junior drag racer Libby Ledford, of Stanton, Mich. Ledford won the fifth-annual “Our Everyday Heroes” Race Car Design Contest hosted by Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) and JDRF.

Tasca races one of the most powerful Mustangs on the planet in the world’s fastest motorsport. His Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Shelby Mustang is powered by a John Force Racing-built Ford BOSS 500 engine that produces more than 8,000 horsepower.

Bidding is now open for the firesuit at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&;;item=261084375280

Bidding will be live until Aug. 27, 2012.

“This has been a wonderful program to be a part of over the last couple of years,” said Tasca, who loved the Motorcraft red, white and Ford blue firesuit accented with yellow stars. “This year was so special because the winner of the contest, Libby Ledford, races a junior dragster. The car looked awesome, but now you can own a little piece of history. All proceeds from the auction of my firesuit will go to benefit JDRF, a cause that is close to our hearts.”

Libby is a four-sport athlete who competes in more than 20 races a year in the junior dragster her father Jeff, also a racer, built for her.

This year’s contest raised $24,819, with proceeds from this auction to be added. Every child who entered raised money for JDRF by asking their friends and family to “vote” through donations toward research that will hopefully unearth a cure for T1D. Libby raised $1,915 for the cause.

Ford Motor Company is the largest global sponsor of JDRF, with almost $40 million raised through various efforts since 1998. This year’s race car design contest hosted by FCSD raised $24,819.

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