 This week, as Rob Dyrdek's Street League Skateboarding series heads to Newark, N.J. for the 2012 Championships, North Jersey area motorsports entertainment facility Pole Position Raceway, located in nearby Jersey City, will host its first annual "Racing with the Pros" fundraiser. The event, taking place on Friday, August 24, will benefit the Starlight Children's Foundation of N.Y., N.J. and Conn., with multiple X Games BMX Vert gold medalist Jamie Bestwick traveling from his home in State College, Pa. to race.
The event is in celebration of the launch of an ongoing partnership between Pole Position Raceway and the Starlight Children's Foundation of N.Y., N.J. and Conn.
"Without the help of organizations like Pole Position Raceway, Monster and Street League, we would not be able to provide the level of services that we currently offer seriously ill children. We are extremely grateful to these three companies and are looking forward to an exciting event," said Elaine Siver, executive director, Starlight Children's Foundation.
100% of the proceeds from this event will benefit the charity, which is also open to the public. In addition, the first 100 attendees will receive free tickets to the Street League Skateboarding DC Pro Tour Fueled by Monster Energy Championship on Sunday, August 26, at Prudential Center in Newark.
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Pole Position RacewayFriday's event starts at 7 p.m. and runs to 10 p.m.
Bestwick, 41, who just won his eighth Dew Cup in BMX Vert this past weekend, will appear alongside fellow Monster Energy athletes to race high-performance, all-electric, emission-free indoor karts capable of speeds of 45 MPH. A fan of motorcycle and auto racing, Bestwick's abilities behind the wheel will be tested during races with the public.
On top of racing, the event will also host raffles and live and silent memorabilia auctions, with prizes that include VIP seats and a Meet & Greet session at the Street League Championship, skate decks autographed by Rob Dyrdek and Street league pro Torey Pudwill and a limited edition Monster Energy surfboard.
Bestwick, who won his seventh consecutive X Games gold medal earlier this summer, recently provided onscreen commentary for BMX racing during the Olympic Games in London. His sponsors include Monster Energy, Toyota, Alpinestars and DK Bicycles.
Friday's event also marks the first time I have ever addressed Jamie Bestwick and Jersey City in the same story, after having spent years writing about Jamie's exploits from my historic downtown Jersey City apartment next to the Second Street Bakery. |
