This is a reminder for everyone in the Media, Pennsylvania, area that this weekend is the Racing for a Cure fund raising event where you can meet the drivers and see the cars that regularly race at the Bridgeport Speedway. The event is being organized by Bill Thomas Racing. Bill, Jr. , is a driver at Bridgeport and his dad, Bill Sr., recently was diagnosed with mesothelioma.

The family, including Bill Sr.’s wife (and Bill Jr.’s mom) Debbie, has dedicated the 2009 racing season to “Racing for a Cure,” with a goal of raising awareness of mesothelioma and funds for mesothelioma research. In addition to the event this weekend, which will be held at Granite Run Mall in Media, Penn., March 7 and 8, there are other sponsorship opportunities available, including placing your company name and logo on a car, driver’s racing suit, tickets and pit passes, and other race-related items and events.

Proceeds from all fund raisers will go to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF), a national non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating mesothelioma as a life-ending disease by funding research, helping patients find resources and treatment, and advocating for federal mesothelioma reserach funding.

Bill Thomas Racing has a new web site dedicated to the meso awareness project, at www.billthomasracing.com/racingforacure. According to the site, benefits of sponsorship, in addition to media visibility and promotion, include “an opportunity to join an initiative that will really make a difference in people’s lives.”

The Racing for a Cure event this weekend will feature a “meet and greet” with drivers, race cars will be on display, and there will be a silent auction. Ms. Motorsports 2009 also will be on hand to greet fans and sign autographs.

For more information about how you can sponsor the 2009 Racing for a Cure season, visit the web site, or contact Bill Thomas at 610-876-3781 or by email at wthomas210@comcast.net.

Yesterday I posted some information about a mesothelioma awareness and fund raising event coming up in Pennsylvania, in cooperation with the Bridgeport Speedway. The event is the first ever “Meet and Greet” that will allow race fans to meet the drivers and see the cars of Bridgeport Speedway.

Today I talked to event organizer Bill Thomas, Sr., of Bill Thomas Racing. He said the event was born of necessity, when he discovered in August that he has mesothelioma. Already active with his son, Bill Jr., on the racing circuit, an event tied to the sport seemed a natural fit.

“Racing with my son is a big part of my life,” he said. “I had to retire as a result of having meso, and I felt like I really needed to do something and give back so I came up with this event.”

The Meet & Greet will feature a number of drivers from the Bridgeport Speedway, located in Bridgeport, New Jersey, which bills itself as “The Fastest Dirt Track in the East.” Ms. Motorsports 2009 also will attend the event. A silent auction will help raise money for mesothelioma research, with proceeds going to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.

The event is set for March 7 and 8 at the Granite Run Mall in Media, Penn.

More information about featured drivers and other events will be available in the next few weeks prior to the event. You can also follow the new Bill Thomas Racing Blog.

If you are interested in donating items for the silent auction, or volunteering in any other way, please contact Bill Thomas at 610-329-0239 or email him at billthomasracing@comcast.net.