Austin Hatcher Foundation Showcases Partnership with IMSA at Watkins Glen International
- Famed Road-Racing Circuit, IMSA Event Weekend Backdrops for Fundraising Auctions
- Porscheplatz, Corvette Corral, Cadillac Corral to Host Auctions
- Hixon Motor Sports to race Austin Hatcher racecar in Mazda MX-5 Cup
- Event June 22-25, Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen on Sunday
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (June 21, 2023) – The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer (AHF) is proud to be represented in New York this weekend for the famous Watkins Glen International (The Glen) road-racing circuit, showcasing the Foundation’s status as an official “Proud Charity” of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). This partnership not only highlights the Foundation's commitment to erasing the effects of pediatric cancer, but also its deep-rooted involvement in the world of road racing.
Watkins Glen International will be the site of Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, one of the premier races on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule, happening at the culmination of the weekend on Sunday, June 25.
Throughout the race weekend, AHF will engage in various fundraising activities offering motorsports enthusiasts the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on families facing pediatric cancer. On both Saturday and Sunday, AHF will partner with different car corrals for special fundraising auctions. These corrals are IMSA-facilitated enthusiast areas exclusive for loyal owners of these high-performance road cars to socialize and visit with factory representatives and team personalities.
Noted motorsports artist Bill Patterson will be live-painting original motion-sports pieces of art to be auctioned for AHF this weekend. On Saturday at 11 a.m., Patterson will be in the Corvette Corral (with the finished piece to be auctioned Sunday), and at 1 p.m., he will be live-painting in the Porscheplatz (with the finished piece to be auctioned at 2:30 p.m. Saturday). Along with Patterson’s highly-coveted, live racecar paintings, there will be two hot pit tours (for Sunday at 1 p.m.) auctioned in the Porscheplatz on Saturday.
On Sunday, Patterson will be back to captivate spectators by creating live paintings of beautiful racecars. Sunday’s auctions will be located in the Corvette Corral (time TBD) and the Cadillac Corral (1 p.m.).
By participating in the auctions, attendees will not only indulge in a thrilling race weekend, but also will be contributing to the vital support provided to pediatric cancer families through AHF. A portion of the auctions’ proceeds will go directly to AHF, providing free mental and behavioral health services to families, such as counseling, therapy, grief groups, family programs and more.
“We are honored and humbled to be part of such an incredible setting this week, sharing the mission of AHF at one of the most historic and premier racing venues in America,” said Foundation CEO, Amy Jo Osborn. “We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase the Foundation and partner with IMSA to truly make a difference in the lives of these brave children and their families facing childhood cancer’s effects."
In addition to the exciting car corral auctions with IMSA, one of AHF’s most supportive race team partners, Hixon Motor Sports (HMS), will also be present at The Glen in the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires (Mazda MX-5 Cup). HMS recently announced they will be sponsoring and helping fund the AHF’s new “E-Racing” program, which aims to inspire children who have been affected by pediatric cancer to take interest in engineering through building their own functioning racecar. The AHF Formula Goblin team (made up of childhood cancer survivors and their siblings age 9-12) will race in the Chattanooga Green Prix October 20, 2023.
This weekend at The Glen, HMS driver Selin "The Machine" Rollan will be behind the wheel of the #87 Austin Hatcher "Goblin" HMS race car, proudly displaying AHF logos. Spectators and racing enthusiasts are encouraged to cheer and show their support for Selin Rollan and AHF throughout the weekend.
“I am ready to get back into the Austin Hatcher Foundation/Hixon Motor Sports “Goblin” Mazda MX-5 Cup car this weekend at Watkins Glen,” said Rollan. “We have some great momentum from our last two races at Laguna Seca, and we are looking to continue to build on our nice and steady success. Having just announced their new racing therapy program, Austin Hatcher has given me an even extra push thinking about the kids currently going through treatment and under the care of the wonderful AHF programs.”
While HMS practices and qualifying sessions may not be available on video, fans can stay up-to-date with live timing and scoring on www.MX-5Cup.com. The race-only sessions will be livestreamed with IMSA commentary, starting approximately one to two minutes before the green flag and continuing until the checkered flag waves for the 45-minute sprint races. Tune in to watch the race videos and commentary on any internet device including your big screen tv at IMSA.TV about two minutes before the green flags.
“Hopefully, we all get big wins this weekend, and we do so for the AHF children and families! I love that my AHF supporters call my #87 Cup car: The Goblin!” exclaimed “The Machine”, Selin Rollan —who enters Watkins Glen as second-overall in the Mazda MX-5 Cup Driver’s Championship points.
For those who miss the live-streaming, the races will be available on the IMSA and RACER YouTube channels usually within 24-48 hours after each race. Stay connected with Selin Rollan, HMS, Watkins Glen and all things IMSA racing by visiting www.MX-5Cup.com, www.IMSA.TV, and results.imsa.com.
For more information about Watkins Glen and to view a full schedule, visit https://www.imsa.com/events/2023-sahlens-six-hours-of-the-glen/.
The Austin Hatcher Foundation’s mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize quality of life through essential specialized intervention beginning at the time of a child’s diagnosis and continuing through survivorship. Families of the Foundation are provided with services such as Mental and Behavioral Health Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Industrial Arts Therapy, Grief Therapy, Family Programs and more at absolutely no cost to them.
For more information on the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer and its ongoing efforts to support pediatric cancer families, please visit www.hatcherfoundation.org.
