Team Hardpoint Creates Donation Fundraiser for Out-of-Work Crew Members

By Colin Wood
May 19, 2020 | Hardpoint Paddock Foundation, Team Hardpoint

Photograph Courtesy The Hardpoint Paddock Foundation

Many racing crews are finding themselves without a paycheck since the postponing of virtually all competition. Team Hardpoint has created the Hardpoint Paddock Foundation in order to support these essential workers of the motorsports world until racing starts back up again.

So far, 40 crew members have already received grants of up to $1500, with an additional $60,000 being distributed thanks to merchandise sales and a GoFundMe fundraiser.

The foundation has since set a goal to raise $100,000 to help workers until racing resumes in July.

You can support the foundation through the purchase of "Flatten The Curve" merchandise or donating directly to the GoFundMe page.

Read the full release below:

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.(May 19, 2020) - With sports car racing on hiatus as part of the effort to lessen the impact of COVID-19 across the country, many of the paddock's hardest workers - weekend crew members - have been left without income. Through the generosity of the racing world, 40 of those crew members have already been given grants worth up to $1500 through the Hardpoint Paddock Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit created by IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge competitors Team Hardpoint to help sports car racing's own version of "essential workers," with the goal to help several more before racing resumes.

Thanks to donations from the paddock coupled with a #realracingheroes GoFundMe and a line of Flatten The Curve merchandise available at www.realracingheroes.com, nearly $60,000 has already been distributed in just 45 days of fundraising.

The effort isn't over for the Hardpoint Paddock Foundation. While IMSA and SRO Americas have announced a return to racing in July, that still leaves six weeks without income for a number of crew members. With 60 more applications currently awaiting funding, the Hardpoint Paddock Foundation has set a target of $100,000 in additional funds.

Team Hardpoint's Rob Ferriol has personally pledged to bring the fund's total to its goal by matching up to $50,000 in donations, if necessary.

"We often talk about how the paddock is a second family, and this was an opportunity to take action on that," Ferriol said. "It's important that we take care of these crew members, many of whom depend on this income for their families and may not be eligible for other financial assistance. This virus has obviously impacted all of us differently, but I'm encouraging those who can to help out in any way they can. For some, it's a small donation or the purchase of a t-shirt. For my fellow racers, I'm challenging each of them to donate at least the cost of one set of race tires to the cause. If we all contribute what we can, we can make a big impact in our racing community."

Team Hardpoint is using existing resources from Hardpoint Outfitters to manage the Hardpoint Paddock Foundation, meaning 100 percent of any donation goes directly to grant recipients, not to administrative fees or salaries.

There are multiple ways to donate to the Hardpoint Foundation. Donations can be made through the GoFundMe page at gofundme.realracingheroes.com, while merchandise can be purchased at www.realracingheroes.com. Private donations can be made by reaching out directly to Rob Ferriol and Team Hardpoint.

More information can be found at www.hardpoint.com.