Racing in an entry that will raise awareness and funding for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, rising young American star Austin Cindric will make his Pirelli World Challenge debut at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge Presented by StopTech weekend in addition to his three scheduled USF2000 races. He'll be joined in the cockpit by Pirelli World Challenge President/CEO Scott Bove, of Conifer, Col., who will race the car in Saturday's Round 11 with Cindric taking over on Sunday for Round 12.
A native of Columbus, Ohio who now lives in Mooresville, N.C., Cindric has experience at the Mid-Ohio track, as well as with the car he will be piloting having raced a similar Ford Mustang 500R at Miller Motorsports Park. Besides his USF2000 program, Cindric is also competing in the Red Bull Global Rallycross' GRC Lites category this season, and has recently tested other forms of machinery in an effort to broaden his career horizons.
"Racing one race in one weekend is pretty cool, but doing four at a track like Mid-Ohio is a pretty awesome opportunity. And anytime you're helping someone while you're driving, it's a win-win situation," Cindric said. "The car diversity will be a great test of how I can drive, what I can drive and see how I can do," he added. "I'll take it like a normal weekend. When my third USF2000 race is done I can really focus and look at the data, figure out what I need to do, and have fun."
The No. 55 Mustang, fielded by Capaldi Racing, is a charity entry designed for both fundraising and raising awareness for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The foundation ensures full financial assistance for a post-secondary degree from an accredited two or four-year college, university, technical, or trade school; as well as educational and family counseling to the surviving children of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel who lose their lives in the line of duty.
"I'm looking forward to teaming up with Austin, Brad Adams and Capaldi Racing at Mid-Ohio raising some good awareness and funding for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation," said Bove. "The SOWF has a special place in the hearts of the series. They do excellent work for the families of the men and women that have served for our country and we want to help give back to honor their efforts."
Cindric, who will be a high school sophomore in the fall, will become the youngest competitor to race in Pirelli World Challenge GTS this season. He is the second 15-year-old to compete in the category in series history.
To participate in the cause visit http://www.world-challenge.com/donate/
