The concept of crowd-funding — using the internet in general and social media in particular to raise money for a personal or business enterprise — is on the rise. Forbes.com recently reported that crowd-funding worldwide in 2013 hit $5.1 billion, which is double the 2012 global total. (Details here.)
Race car drivers have previously dipped into the crowd funding market. In 2013 Shannon McIntosh's fans responded to a campaign by donating more than $11,000 to help get her a test in ARCA. (Details here.)
Shea Holbrook is among the latest to try crowd-funding. Shea just launched a campaign using darkhorsepros.com to asking fans to help her raise $30,000 to finance getting a drag racing license. She hopes to add a drag racing schedule to her road racing program in 2015.