Annual motorcycle tour that benefits children with chronic illnesses will travel from Santa Cruz, Calif. to Branson, Mo.,
CHARLOTTE, N.C. March 2, 2015 – The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America has announced the route for its 21st Anniversary motorcycle trek, taking place May 2-8, 2015. NBC Sports NASCAR analyst and former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty will lead 200 motorcyclists along the 2,500 mile-route, stretching from Santa Cruz, Calif. to Branson, Mo., to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction – a camp created to enrich the lives of children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.
“Each year, we select a route that’s full of breathtaking scenery, while also allowing us to spread the word and build excitement around our mission along the way,” said Petty. “Year after year, the Ride creates lasting memories for our riders, most importantly, it provides life-changing opportunities for children at Victory Junction.”
Spectators, visitors and locals along the 2015 route are encouraged to attend one of the Ride’s eight overnight stops or daily fuel stops to greet Petty and the riders, purchase Ride memorabilia or make a donation to Victory Junction.
The 2015 Kyle Petty Charity Ride Schedule:
Day 1, Saturday, May 2 – Santa Cruz, Calif. to Bakersfield, Calif.
Day 2, Sunday, May 3 – Bakersfield, Calif. to Tonopah, Nev.
Day 3, Monday, May 4 – Tonopah, Nev. to Bryce Canyon, Utah
Day 4, Tuesday, May 5 – Bryce Canyon, Utah to Moab, Utah
Day 5, Wednesday, May 6 – Moab, Utah to Colorado Springs, Colo.
Day 6, Thursday, May 7 – Colorado Springs, Colo. to Hutchinson, Kan.
Day 7, Friday, May 8 – Hutchinson, Kan. to Branson, Mo.
As a result of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride, 7,815 children have attended Victory Junction at no cost to their families. The camp has served as the Ride’s primary beneficiary since its establishment by Kyle Petty in 2004 in honor of his late son, Adam.
This year, many celebrities plan to participate in all or part of the 21st Anniversary Ride, including: NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven time champion Richard Petty; NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth; NASCAR legends Harry Gant and Donnie Allison; former NFL great Herschel Walker; Harley-Davidson, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Levatich; NBC Sports NASCAR analyst Rick Allen; co-host of History Channel’s Top Gear America and NASCAR personality Rutledge Wood.
“When Kyle started this Ride 21 years ago, I don’t think any of us realized just how special it would become,” said Kyle’s father Richard Petty. “Riding across our beautiful country on two wheels with great friends and family is incredible, but knowing you’re doing it to help others makes it the ride of a lifetime.”
The 2015 Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is made possible by presenting sponsor Manheim, as well as Coca-Cola, Dodge, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Racing Electronics, FLUIDYNE Racing Products, WinCraft Racing, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, the Petty Family Foundation, Headbands of Hope, Original Bike Spirits and the Beef Jerky Outlet.
To follow Kyle Petty and the riders live, visit www.facebook.com/KPCharityRide, or on Twitter and Instagram, @KPCharityRide.
About the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (KPCRAA)
Led by former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty, the KPCRAA is an annual cross-country motorcycle trek that raises funds and awareness for Victory Junction. The KPCRAA is one of the most successful and popular charity events in the country. Now in its 21st year, more than 7,500 riders have logged 11.1 million cumulative motorcycle miles and raised more than $16 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.
About Victory Junction
Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children, ages six to 16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Co-founded by Kyle Petty family, in honor of his, son Adam Petty, the camp is located in Randleman, N.C. Victory Junction exists to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment, always free of charge. As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous individuals, foundations, organizations and corporations to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families. Since the camp’s inception, more than 21,500 children and families have received not only a circle of support but experiences thought to only be possible by healthy children. Victory Junction is a member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network of Camps founded by Paul Newman, and is accredited by the rigorous guidelines of the American Camping Association. To learn more, please visit www.victoryjunction.org.
About Manheim
Manheim is the leading global provider of vehicle remarketing services, connecting buyers and sellers of used vehicles to the largest wholesale used-vehicle marketplace. The company helps dealer and commercial customers achieve results by providing physical and digital auction channels, data analysis, financing, transportation and mobile products and solutions. Manheim pioneered in-lane vehicle auctions and has been an innovator in both digital and mobile auction platforms. Manheim registers nearly 7 million used vehicles annually, facilitating transactions representing nearly $46 billion in value. Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim has more than 20,000 employees in 122 worldwide sites and generates annual revenues of more than $2.5 billion. A subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Manheim participates in “Go Green with Manheim,” the company’s sustainability program. For more information, please visit www.manheim.com.
