Two of drag racing's legendary champions – one on two wheels and one on four – led a special ceremony at the National Hot Rod Association's (NHRA) Lucas Oil Winternationals in February to announce a $1 million donation to B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe), a national non-profit organization dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives by training teens and their parents to be safer on the road.
Terry Vance, 14-time national champion motorcycle drag racer, title-winning team owner, and co-founder of aftermarket motorcycle performance parts manufacturer Vance & Hines, made the presentation to Doug Herbert, the multi-time Top Fuel drag racing champion who founded B.R.A.K.E.S. in 2008 after the tragic loss of his sons Jon and James in a car crash.
"Terry and I have been friends for years, and we have a lot in common," said Herbert. "Besides loving racing, driving and riding, we're also parents, and we both recognize that protecting our kids and setting them up for success in life is the single greatest accomplishment you can ever aspire to. Thanks to Terry's generosity, the charity that I founded to honor my sons is going to help a lot more teens and parents nationwide."
Vance, who recently attended B.R.A.K.E.S.' intensive half-day defensive driver training program with both of his own sons, said: "As a parent, every time your kid goes out the door, especially if they're getting into a car, you want to know that you've done everything in your power to help them get back home safe. B.R.A.K.E.S. training does that. It gives teens the skills and knowledge that we all know they'll need on the street, and it stresses the importance of making good decisions to avoid trouble in the first place.
"I think every teen should go through B.R.A.K.E.S. That's why my wife and I are making this donation to help Doug's program keep expanding and saving lives, and we hope to inspire others to do the same."
Over 34,000 teenagers and their parents have attended the B.R.A.K.E.S. program from 45 states and five countries.
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