This past weekend Ford sponsored the 4th annual Henry Ford Hospital "Get Your Heart Racing" charity event and Steeda Autosports was there to proudly support what has become one of the largest charity racing events to date. The annual event attracts racing and auto enthusiasts from all over the midwest and consistently raises record contributions to benefit the Henry Ford Hospital locally. Over the past 3 years "Get Your Heart Racing" has raised more than $ 1.8 million and the total will continue to grow once the final donations are tallied.
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"Get Your
Heart Racing' Mustang 5.0[/caption]
The event began with a Pit Party Reception on Friday evening in downtown Detroit's famous Eastern Market area. On display at the reception was the fabulous Borg Warner Indianapolis 500 Trophy (valued at over $ 3.5 million) along with an equally impressive assortment of historic and notable race and pace cars. Also included in the display were the Steeda sponsored American Iron series race cars belonging to Ford's own Robin Burnett and Anders Sjoblom. Another iconic vehicle on display was the Indianapolis 500 Lola race car driven by Detroit native Robbie Buhl, and the historic Indianapolis Ford Mustang Pace cars from 1965, 1979, and 1994.
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Borg Warner Indianapolis 500 Trophy[/caption]
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1965 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car[/caption]
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1979 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car[/caption]
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1994 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car[/caption]
This year Ford took the opportunity to feature the newest addition to the Mustang corral - the very special 2015 Mustang 50th Anniversary Edition which will be auctioned at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson auction in Las Vegas. This unique 50 Year Limited Edition Ford Mustang carries the coveted badge # 1,964 referencing the first production year of Mustang, and it is # 50 of the special Limited Edition series. This sought after Mustang will be auctioned with all proceeds going to the "Get Your Heart Racing" charity. The auction is expected to attract and generate an elite group of competitive bidders and enthusiasts all vying to own a piece of Mustang history.
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Steeda / Rehagen Racing Cars[/caption]
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"Ford Test Track"[/caption]
Attendees were treated to the facilities of the awesome Ford Motor Company's Dearborn Development Center - also known for the "Ford Test Track." To keep the adrenaline flowing, attendees were invited to sample the heart-pounding excitement of some fast laps as passengers with Ford's professional / celebrity drivers, or for those with a personal need for speed a few laps behind the wheel to test their skills. Ford and Steeda both provided an assortment of cars and trucks for enthusiasts to tackle some of the handling and off-road segments of the test track, and experience the excitement of a day at the track.
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Steeda / Rehagen Racing[/caption]
The Steeda / Rehagen Racing team drivers of Robin Burnett and Anders Sjoblom put on their racing suits and helmets to provide heart-pounding rides in their Steeda sponsored race cars for any adrenaline seekers willing to endure the high G forces generated by a fully prepared Steeda full race Mustang. Judging from the grins the long wait was worth every minute!
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Steeda / Rehagen Racing[/caption]
None of these wonderful activities would have been possible without the significant support of Ford Motor Company's Dearborn Development Center. As expected, the event also brought out Ford's top management team to help keep the donations and energy flowing.
Events like this take careful planning and support, and a special thanks is in order for John Felice, Ford Motor Company's Vice President of Sales and Marketing North America, and Raj Nair, Ford Motor Company Group Vice President of Global Product Development who generously donated their personal and professional effort to insure the success of such a worthwhile charity. In addition, we would like to recognize Lynn and Paul Alandt (Honorary Chairpersons for Get Your Heart Racing) and Roger Penske and Andra Rush, the most recent additions to the Honorary Committee, whose time and presence made this event so successful. Ford Motor Company, Steeda Autosports, along with many other key automotive suppliers are committed to finding a cure for heart disease.
Steeda - Speed Matters