Portland, Maine – A new foundation dedicated to keep young drivers alive on the highway hopes to get off to a fast start at the 18th annual Racin’ Preview 2011, this Friday and Saturday at the Portland Expo, next to Hadlock Field in Portland.
Save Speed 4 The Track (SS4TT) is made up of a group of volunteers who are motivated to keep young drivers alive and help them to explore safer places to fill their need for speed. Their goal is to connect young people with their local race tracks and drivers to learn the difference between a vehicle built for the street and one built for the race track.
Save Speed 4 The Track was founded in 2010 by the Justice for Jeff Foundation in memory of Jeffrey Letellier, who was killed in an automobile crash on May 4, 2005. A son, brother, and friend to the founders, most of whom race weekly in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series competition at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, was deeply involved in the sport of racing and understood the dangers inside of a racetrack as well as outside. Jeff was the passenger in a friend’s vehicle who was speeding and went through a stop sign and was struck on Jeff’s side of the car by an oncoming vehicle. Each volunteer has been touched by Jeff or his legacy and is passionate to use his story and others to save lives and heartache.
The Justice for Jeff Foundation hopes to jumpstart their efforts at Racin’ Preview 2011 this Friday and Saturday. Look for their booth at the Portland Expo show this weekend, and visit their ‘work in progress’ website at www.savespeed4thetrack.org
Racin’ Preview 2011 is Northern New England’s largest wintertime stock car racing showcase, featuring displays from tracks and regional touring series throughout the region, including Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, Oxford Plains Speedway, Unity Raceway, Speedway 95 and several tracks from New Hampshire and Vermont.
Several dozen stock cars will be on display, and several autograph sessions featuring local and regional racers will take place throughout the weekend. An extensive display by the Maine Vintage Race Car Association salutes the history of stock car racing throughout the state. Hundreds of door prizes, including dozens of free tickets to summer racing events, will be handed out throughout the weekend.
Doors are open from 4-10 p.m. this Friday, February 25, with Saturday’s display open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. The Portland Expo is located adjacent to Hadlock Field on Park Avenue (US Route 1) in Portland. For more information please call (603) 662-8902.