Raleigh, NC (June 23, 2022) – Operation Motorsport had the pleasure of hosting Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) on June 17th at the SRO race at Virginia International Raceway. Senator Tillis serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and came to learn more about Operation Motorsport and to spend time with eight Operation Motorsport beneficiaries from the US Army, US Air Force, US Marine Corps, and Canadian Army. These veterans were working throughout the paddock, working in race control, race tech, race team pit crews, and safety car communications.
The veterans spoke with Senator Tillis about their military service, the impact of being medically retired, and how the motorsports world is helping them rebuild a sense of team, identity, and purpose. Senator Tillis gained a better understanding of the challenges our veterans face during their transition from military service while trying to start the next chapters of their lives.
Jason Leach, Operation Motorsport COO and US Army veteran said “The importance of our federal government leaders taking time out of their busy schedules to connect with our veterans cannot be overstated. Hearing directly from those impacted by military service allows our political leaders to help get our veterans the care and advocacy they deserve. We are grateful for leaders like Senator Tillis”.
The visit included a paddock tour where Senator Tillis was able to engage with each beneficiary and learn about their jobs, a round-table lunch with the beneficiaries hosted by SRO North America, and a hot lap ride with a Skip Barber Racing School instructor. Senator Tillis also had conversations with SRO North America President and CEO Greg Gill and race team principals and drivers to hear the impact veterans have on race teams. The visit concluded with a 30-min karting session where Senator Tillis and his team went head-to-head on the kart track with the veterans.
ABOUT OPERATION MOTORSPORT
Operation Motorsport is a Veteran Led and Operated, 501(c)3 Not for Profit Foundation, based in Raleigh, North Carolina and Brighton, Ontario, serving American & Canadian service members and veterans and was founded on the basis of three simple words: Excite, Engage and Empower. The premise is to engage retiring Service Members and Veterans affected by military service, through Motorsport activities, using Team, Identity & Purpose to aid in their recovery. For more information and to donate, please visit www.operationmotorsport.org.
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Contact Tiffany Lodder, Executive Director
Telephone 613-921-6172
Email Tiffany.Lodder@operationmotorsport.org
Website operationmotorsport.org
