F1 Boston Hosts "Homes for Our Troops" Karting Event
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
By: Jeff Loucks Blue Hill Marketing

Disabled War Vets Demo Hand-Control Race Karts in Conjunction with Fundraiser

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

F1 Boston Hosts “Homes for Our Troops” Karting Event
Disabled War Vets Demo Hand-Control Race Karts in Conjunction with Fundraiser

March 27, 2007 Braintree, MA F1 Boston, in conjunction with Homes for Our Troops, is hosting a kart racing demonstration and competition for disabled war veterans on March 31st at F1 Boston’s indoor karting complex in Braintree, MA.  The racing will take place in F1 Boston’s specially-designed karts that are retro-fitted with hand-controlled braking and accelerators that enable amputees or paralyzed drivers to compete against able-bodied racers.
For Homes for Our Troops, a Massachusetts-based non-profit organization that builds specially adapted homes for disabled veterans of war, the race is part of their week-end of activities that features a dinner/action fundraiser in Quincy on Saturday night.  The 1st Annual Homes for Our Troops Dinner/Auction will celebrate its 3rd year anniversary, recognize the outstanding supporters and to raise much needed funds.  The goal will be to raise $100,000, with 500 or more in attendance. The night will include cocktails, silent and live auctions, raffles, a sit down dinner and special guests.
“We’re thrilled to give our war heroes a chance to experience the thrill and excitement that is kart racing.  These men have to adapt to a life of hardships related to the injuries they incurred while fighting the Global War on Terror providing them a fun afternoon of camaraderie and competition is just a small token of our appreciation,” states F1 Boston Owner Richard “RJ” Valentine.  “New developments in kart technology have made it possible for people with disabilities to enjoy racing and the pure adrenaline of high performance kart racing.  Our goal is to give these guys a fun, competitive activity that in no way is compromised by their physical disabilities with these karts they’re equal to anyone else on the track.”
Since 2004, Taunton-based Homes for Our Troops has helped many wounded veterans by providing handicap accessible homes at no cost to the veterans or their families. It now has over two dozen home projects completed or underway across the country.
“The Veterans that F1 Boston has invited to try out the new cart are excited about the opportunity to take part in a sport that they love to watch but thought was impossible to participate in,” state John Gonsalves, President and Founder of Homes for Our Troops. “This event will boost their spirit, their confidence and their outlook towards the future of living with these new found disabilities.  We applaud F1 Boston for working so hard to include the disabled in the sport of kart racing.”
F1 Boston has developed a fleet of karts that can accommodate drivers with lower body disabilities.  “The event with Homes for Our Troops is certainly a special, but it’s not ‘stand alone.’  We have these specially designed karts available for anyone who wants to race,” comments Valentine.  “Whether it’s someone who comes in just to check out karting, or someone who comes to F1 Boston for a corporate event this is one way we try to include everyone.”
In addition, F1 Boston’s sister company SSC East sells karts that can be configured to accommodate an array of physical disabilities.  SSC East recently unveiled a new CRG Hand Control Steering Wheel that paves the way for physical disabled drivers to enjoy the thrill of performance kart racing.  It can be customized to accommodate driver requirements hand controls for both the accelerator and brakes; brake-only or accelerator-only configurations; left hand/right hand positioning preferences.  This new state-of-the-art CRG kart will be displayed at the Homes for Our Troops Dinner/Auction.
About F1 Boston
Located in Braintree, MA, F1 Boston is New England’s premier high performance kart racing venue for corporate events and social functions, with a 106,000 square foot facility, featuring two indoor European-style kart tracks.  All events are race-ready; with racing suits, helmets and karts provided.  F1 Boston provides a wide array of race-themed programming for events including:  off-site meetings, dinners, sales/staff meetings, trade shows, incentive events, social events, rewards programs, summer outings, team building, recruiting, and holiday events.  For more information, visit http://www.f1boston.com/.

About SSC East
SSC East is the direct importer in the eastern half of the United States for the world’s leading kart products including Rotax/Bombardier, CRG chassis, Zanardi, MoGo and GearBox product lines, to both kart dealers and racers.  Exclusively focused on kart racing, SSC East is dedicated to importing, selling, servicing and supporting kart manufacturers; it is the largest distributor of karts, engines and kart racing supplies and race organization in Eastern United States.  For more information, visit http://www.ssceast.com/.

About Homes for Our Troops
Founded on February 4, 2004, Homes for Our Troops is a Massachusetts-based 501(c) (3) non-partisan, non-profit organization building specially adapted homes for disabled veterans of war. The organization is strongly committed to assisting disabled and seriously injured veterans and their immediate families by raising donations of money, building materials and enlisting the help of professional contractors to volunteer on the homes built for our American Heroes who have given up so much to defend America.

Since 2004, Homes for Our Troops have helped many wounded veterans by providing handicap accessible homes at no cost to the veterans or their families. We now have over Two Dozen home projects completed or underway across the country. For more information, visit http://www.homesforourtroops.org/