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Racing for
Kids |
In 1998, Mike Emhof, through his association with Branich
Motorsports, helped with the development of the "Racing for Kids"
program.
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The program was designed to use the sport of automobile racing,
one of the top spectator sports in the United States today, as an
aid for teaching. Team members and elementary school teachers
jointly develop a custom curriculum using some aspect of racing to
teach a variety of grade-appropriate topics. The team visits each
school, and the racecar, hauler, and support equipment and safety
gear are displayed and used to present a particular topic. |
Young fan visits the Mike Emhof Motorsports display
at a show in Syracuse, NY. |
Generally, the children attend a didactic session, and then they have
a chance to look at the car up close, ask questions and talk to team
members. They are able to walk through the trailer, and at the end of
the tour they are provided pictures for coloring and team autograph
cards signed by the driver.
To date, "Racing for Kids" has been used to teach pattern recognition
for kindergartners, aspects of teamwork and safety to second graders,
and the science of simple machines and advertising to fifth graders. The
visits are always eagerly received by the kids and teachers alike, and
are equally rewarding and enjoyable for team members.
The "Racing for Kids" team has visited Wayne and Monroe County
schools, and more recently has worked with local Cub Scout packs and
participated in Pinewood Derby events.
Mike Emhof and his association with Branich Motorsports promoted its
"Racing for Kids" program during 2002 and MEM continued the
program in 2003. The 2004 season brings a new
program to the kids with the formation of Mike Emhof Motorsports (MEM).
The two Mini Sprint cars associated with MEM, will be an integral
part of our presentations this year.
For more information about Mike Emhof Motorsports and the Racing for
Kids program and its sponsor, visit the respective websites at
www.mikeemhofmotorsports.com or
www.lessord.com.
On the 1st of February, Bob Sergeant and Mike Emhof of Mike
Emhof Motorsports with the support of Lessord
Chrysler Products, through Emhof's Racing for Kids program, got the
2003 Racing season off to a quick start by sponsoring and participating
in the Sodus Cub Scout Pack 111 Pinewood Derby.
Bob and Mike served as judges for the 4 classes of cars, which reward the young racers for their hard work and efforts in producing
some fine looking cars and trucks. Other activities had both drivers talking to the large
crowd in attendance about the many different aspects of racing along with
team work required by all to make the programs run smoothly.
There were 16 rounds of racing that day and when the final checkered flag fell trophies were presented to the best in class for the
4 age groups and top five finisher of the 16 rounds. This years Derby winners were, Best in
class for Tiger, (Nicholas Bolt), Bear, (Dillon Whitcomb), Wolf, (Trey
Brunie), & Webelos, (Matt Mares). The top 5 race winners were, 5th place,
(Shawn Fitzsimmons), 4th, (Jordan Pulsifer), 3rd, (Nathan Hoover), Runner Up
(Brian Thompson), and Champion (Cody Jordan).
