That's just about the most grassroots way to race as I've ever heard.
Let me pay the power bill and then see what I can donate. 
Photo courtesy Tyler Keller/Split Decision Motorsports
Last year, Patrick Wilmot finished second in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Championship with an all-volunteer team. That organization has since closed, but Patrick now has an opportunity to compete at Daytona, although he needs some help.
[Patrick Wilmot: Can an all-volunteer team podium in IMSA? Yes.]
Swish Motorsports, which fields a BMW M4 GT4 in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Championship, has offered Patrick a ride … provided he can come with the necessary sponsorship.
A large part of Patrick’s road to a VP Racing SportsCar Championship runner-up points finish came from crowdfunding (particularly from Jzilla Track Days participants). This year, he’s reaching out to friends, family, and friends and family of friends and family. The good news is he already has some help from Nine Lives Racing.
“@patrick wilmot is a club racer like us who has an opportunity to race at the highest level. Daytona - Imsa,” Nine Lives Racing posted on its Facebook page. “We need to raise $10,000 to get in to the starting line. We at Nine Lives have pledged $2000 and we will match every dollar you spend on 9 lives merch to get him on track. Last time we did this it raised $15,000 in a day so this should be easy. Let’s go!”
To help the cause, visit 9livesracing.com to purchase merch or contact Patrick Wilmot here.
Photo from Patrick Wilmot/Facebook.
That's just about the most grassroots way to race as I've ever heard.
Let me pay the power bill and then see what I can donate.
I don't know Patrick but Swish Motorsports are good people.
We're up to $6000 donated as of 7 p.m. last night, per Nine Lives Racing.
In reply to J.A. Ackley :
Colin Wood said:In reply to J.A. Ackley :
Patrick's fans - and he has a lot of them - are certainly working on it. More to come.
Update! Patrick is headed to Daytona!
From: Patrick Wilmot - The excitement is unreal—we’re going racing at... | Facebook
"The excitement is unreal—we’re going racing at Daytona this weekend!
Thanks to some incredible people and amazing sponsors, we managed to secure enough funding to make this happen in just 48 hours. I’m beyond grateful for the unwavering support that’s made this possible.
A massive thank you to Jimmy Scott and Louise Pitts Scott— your continued belief in me, even when I’m not racing with your team, means everything. You’ve gone above and beyond for me once again, and I feel so blessed to have two of the most amazing people in my corner.
To my incredible sponsors — Nine Lives Racing, Traction / Shift Brokers By Traction, Rapid Track Service, Inc., 129 Touge, Jzilla Track Days, Runway Travel, and KC Painting & Coatings— thank you for stepping up and making this possible. Your support fuels my passion, and I’m proud to represent you all.
And to those who donated and rallied behind this effort— you’ve blown me away with your kindness. The support I’ve received from this community is truly humbling, and I can’t thank you enough for believing in me.
Last but certainly not least, thank you to Michael Dayton at Swish Motorsports for giving me this opportunity and to the boys on the team for their hard work in prepping the car.
Now it’s time to hit the high banks. Let’s go make some magic at Daytona!"
On the podium (3rd) in race one!
johndej said:On the podium (3rd) in race one!
That's also his sixth consecutive podium in the series.
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