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.

Updates on Lung Leavin’ Day festivities to come… stay tuned!

But in the meantime, let me share some news about a fund raising event for mesothelioma research for those of you who live in northeast. The Bridgeport Speedway and Bill Thomas Racing will present the first ever “Meet & Greet the Drivers and See the Cars of Bridgeport Speedway” on Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8. The event will be held at the Granite Run Mall in Media, Penn.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation to help fund research to find a cure for mesothelioma. The show will see the mall filled with racing vehicles of all classes and there will be a number of current and retired racers on hand to visit with fans and sign autographs. The event also will feature Ms. Motorsports 2009.

The Bridgeport Speedway, which is located in Bridgeport, New Jersey, bills itself as “The Fastest Dirt Track in the East.” The South Jersey raceway features a fun family atmosphere at a banked 5/8th mile dirt oval, featuring a dirt 1/4 mile oval embedded in the center. The track is centrally located minutes from Pennsylvania and Delaware.

The Granite Run Mall is located in the heart of the tourist areas of central Philadelphia, Valley Forge and the Brandywine Valley.

More information about fund raising events to benefit mesothelioma research through the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is available on the organization’s web site, along with assistance if you’d like to plan an event. Go to their home page at www.curemeso.org and click on the “Volunteer” tab and then “Upcoming Events,” or email info@curemeso.org.