SCC: Freedom Autosport Homestead preview

Freedom Autosport: Racing for the Semper Fi Fund and Guardian Angel Motorsports

HOMESTEAD, Fla.--For Freedom Autosport, round two of the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge at Homestead-Miami Speedway is about much more than auto racing. It is also about reaching out to help others.

Freedom Autosport is a longtime supporter of the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, a nonprofit that provides immediate financial support for injured and critically ill members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.

Freedom Autosport shows their admiration of the Armed Forces through more than their team name: fundraising for the Semper Fi Fund and other military support activities throughout the year are an integral part of the team's operations.

"We have a huge amount of respect for the men and women who keep us safe," says Freedom Autosport co-owner and driver Rhett O'Doski. "All of us have been impacted by someone in the military--whether that person was a friend, a relative or a role model--and it's important for Freedom Autosport to honor the commitment and heroism of our military."

The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund can be found online at www.semperfifund.org.

For Freedom Autosport driver Bruce Ledoux, racing is also a chance to help children in need through Guardian Angel Motorsports, and the nonprofit charity's logo graces the sides of the No. 28 ModSpace Construct Corps MAZDASPEED3 that he will co-drive with Sam Barnett at Homestead. In the past two years, Guardian Angel Motorsports has raised $150,000 for children's charities.

Ledoux's son, who was diagnosed with a genetic condition that causes severe developmental delays, inspired Ledoux to found Guardian Angel Motorsports. Seven-year-old Colin is coming along well, but Ledoux realized that not every family had the resources to properly care for a child in need.

"I got to thinking about what we could accomplish with motorsports fans," says Ledoux. "It came to me that motorsports was the biggest stick I had to hit the problem with! I want to empower kids and the programs that help them."

Ledoux says that other teams and drivers are welcome to join the effort to promote awareness and raise funds. "We're here having fun, going racing, but we can make a difference," he says. "We need to build an army; we need more cars and more racers." The charity can be found online at www.GuardianAngelMotorsports.com.

In addition to Ledoux and Barnett in the No. 28 ModSpace Construct Corps MAZDASPEED3, the Freedom Autosport lineup includes the No. 27 MAZDASPEED3 of Brad Rampelberg and Eric Foss. Homestead will mark the first time that the longtime competitors have come together as co-drivers.

Derek Whitis and Tom Long will co-drive the No. 25 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5, and both are hoping for a repeat of last year's victory at Homestead. Rhett O'Doski and Andrew Carbonell will be looking for points in the No. 26 Mazda MX-5, especially since it is Carbonell's home track.

-source: freedom autosport