NO. 73 PARK PLACE MOTORSPORTS PORSCHE 911 GT AMERICA CARRIES VIBRANT PAINT SCHEME INSPIRED BY ACCLAIMED ARTIST AND NF HERO JEFFREY OWEN HANSON
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 3, 2014) – The Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) Racing4Research (R4R) program will return with Park Place Motorsports in full flying colors this season as the team’s No. 73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche GT America will display a bright and vibrant paint scheme inspired by a signature piece of work from highly-acclaimed young artist and NF Hero Jeffrey Owen Hanson.
The No. 73’s vivid livery is making its public debut this weekend at the annual Roar Before the Rolex 24 At Daytona test where the Children’s Tumor Foundation Racing4Research program will commence its seventh-consecutive Rolex 24 At Daytona-based fundraising campaign.
The Children’s Tumor Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding effective treatments for the millions of people worldwide living with neurofibromatosis – known simply as NF – that is a common yet under-recognized genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. NF affects one in every 3,000 people, more than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Huntington’s disease combined. The Children’s Tumor Foundation funds critical research into neurofibromatosis. In addition to benefiting those who live with NF, this research is shedding new light on several forms of cancer, brain tumors, bone abnormalities, and learning disabilities, ultimately benefiting the broader community. Donations to CTF Racing4Research can be made directly at www.Racing4Research.org.
The unique CTF Racing4Research program raises funds and awareness for NF research through a diverse racing program that is annually anchored by a Rolex 24 At Daytona effort and, in recent years, much more. Last year’s debut with Park Place Motorsports was a full-season campaign and the No. 73 Park Place Motorsports team, with lead drivers Patrick Lindsey and Kevin Kévin Estre, will once again race in support of CTF/R4R throughout the inaugural IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season.
The CTF/R4R effort raised $690,000 in 2013 and the goal for this racing season is $750,000.
The No. 73’s unique hue this year is courtesy of Jeffrey Owen Hanson (www.JeffreyOwenHanson.com), a 20-year-old philanthropic artist, who is visually impaired from an optic nerve tumor related to his NF. The tumor caused severe vision loss in 2005, requiring chemotherapy and radiation, but the Jeff still amazingly sees well enough to continue creating brilliant artwork.
A self-taught artist from age 12, Jeff has developed an unmistakable signature style. Inspired by travel, his heavily textured artwork hangs in the homes of art collectors across the globe, including Sir Elton John, Warren Buffett and Susan Sarandon. Jeff’s commissions include paintings for Fortune 500 corporations, hospitals and private collectors, but his rich spirit of philanthropy is what shines the brightest. The Kansas native has painted and donated more than $1 million dollars in acrylic canvases to over 100 charitable causes since 2006, and the generosity will continue in his partnership with CTF/R4R and Pa rk Place Motorsports.
The original painting that is the model for the No. 73’s eye-catching livery – appropriately titled “A Day at Daytona” – has been donated by Jeff to the Children’s Tumor Foundation and will be auctioned early this year as a fundraiser for CTF/R4R. While this is Jeff’s first “art car,” his work has also been translated to couture fashion, with models dressed in hand-painted, red carpet gowns walking fashion runways. Jeff is pictured with “A Day at Daytona” and wearing a hand-painted bow tie and cummerbund inspired by the work.
Jeff plans on attending the Rolex 24 and will be in some good company with some of his fellow “NF Heroes.” A highlight of each CTF/R4R race event is the on-site presence and support of a large group of courageous children and their families who have been nicknamed “NF Heroes” for their generally tireless efforts in fighting the disorder.
