Panther Racing driver JR "Captain America" Hildebrand will ride his bicycle into battle this weekend to help raise cash for spinal cord injury research.
Check the news release below including info on how you can support the Miles 4 Miracles Ride.
Rookie Driver to Ride in First Two Days of 2,428 Mile Ride For Spinal Cord Research
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - (Feburary 18, 2011) – National Guard Panther Racing driver JR Hildebrand will join his agent and friend, former motorcross champion Jimmy Button, this weekend for the first two day’s of Button’s “Miles for Miracles” cross-country bike ride to raise money for spinal cord research. Button was paralyzed from the neck down in an AMA Supercross Series practice in 2000, but – after being told he would never walk again - was able to overcome his injuries and regain use of all his extremities.
“Jimmy’s a guy I’ve worked with now for a couple of years and he’s become a good friend,” Hildebrand said. “He’s fought back from his injuries and has regained use of all of his limbs and I’m going to join him this weekend on his Miles for Miracles ride to help raise money for spinal injuries. There will be a variety of other current and former athletes, a lot of two-wheel guys I’m sure, but I’m going to be there for the first two days and I’m really excited.”
Button and his former trainer Cory Wolf are riding from San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium (the site of Button’s accident) to Daytona Beach, Florida. The ride covers a total of 2,428 miles and will raise awareness and funding for spinal cord research. Hildebrand will join Button for the first two days of the ride, starting this Sunday (51.5 miles) and Monday (60 miles) stretching from San Diego to Seeley, California. Button described the first day of the ride as the most difficult of the entire trip, as nearly the entire 50-plus miles are uphill.
Button is the Executive Director of Motorsports at Wasserman Media Group, an organization that represents Hildebrand and other athletes from motorsports, extreme and action sports. Hildebrand is entering his first full season in the IZOD IndyCar Series and will be driving Panther’s No. 4 National Guard entry. Panther has finished runner-up in each of the last three Indianapolis 500 Mile Races.
The goal is to raise $1M for spinal cord research to be donated to Dr. Hans Keirstead at Reeves Irvine Research Center.
“From what I understand the first day is supposed to be the hardest day of the entire ride,” Hildebrand said several weeks ago. “Back here in Indiana I haven’t been out to ride much lately so I’m hoping to get out before I go out there and start. Jimmy is just a super cool guy and I think it’s always refreshing and impressive to not only comeback and ride but to give back to people who could be dealing with the same issues he was having; that’s a cool deal.”
For more information on the Miles for Miracles, Jimmy Button and how to make a donation please visit: www.milesformiraclestoday.com
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