 DAYTONA
BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 1, 2012) - Kevin Fandozzi, who earned the 41st annual
RRDC Mark Donohue Award for his spectacular Touring 3 class victory at the 2011
SCCA National Championship Runoffs last September, was presented the award at
RRDC’s annual dinner prior to the running of the 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 At
Daytona.
Originally scheduled to be awarded at the 2012 SCCA National Convention in
March, the Road Racing Drivers Club board members elected to present the trophy
to Fandozzi in Daytona as part of the RRDC’s 60th-anniversary celebration.
The award is given in the name of Mark Donohue for personal spirit and
performance at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs.
Every year, the RRDC Mark Donohue Award is an engraved glass top mounted on a
selected racing-experienced wheel, provided by an RRDC member. The 2011 wheel
was donated by Grand-Am team owner Chip Ganassi. It had seen racing action on
the Target Chip Ganassi with Felix Sabates Lexus Riley that won both the
2007 and 2008 Rolex 24 At Daytona races. RRDC member Scott Pruett, who was on
board for both victories, made the presentation, alongside Mark’s son David,
also a member of the RRDC.
“It’s a privilege for me to present this award to Kevin in my dad’s name
for all that he represented, especially within the SCCA community,” said
David Donohue.
Added Pruett: “Looking around the room and seeing an unbelievable group of
drivers who represent the heritage and history of the RRDC is very exciting for
me. I feel honored just to be here.
“It’s exciting also for us, especially Chip as the leader of the Ganassi
organization, to give something to the RRDC on behalf of our team, and
something that is significant. We’ve been fortunate to have won the Rolex 24
At Daytona several times. In fact, the 01 car finishing every lap of this race
for the last four years has been nothing short of spectacular.
“We are excited to support this great organization of road racing drivers and
to contribute to the Mark Donohue Award. Congratulations, Kevin.”
“What an honor it is to be here to accept this award,” said Fandozzi, a
former GM engineer who won at the Runoffs racing in the rain on dry (Hoosier)
tires. “This is very special and it gives me an opportunity to celebrate a
significant event in a sport that I’ve grown to love.
“In racing, when the actual event passes, it takes on a life of reflection.
When the actual driving fades away you begin to see what this award really is.
It’s a symbol of two things: one, the approach to racing as pioneered by the
man for whom this award is named; and, second, the people who have given me the
knowledge along the way. I believe firmly that they are completely responsible
for my being a part of this award. Thank you to everyone.”
About the RRDC:
The Road Racing Drivers Club was formed in 1952 as a way to give champion
drivers a say in their sport, particularly in the areas of safety, and has
evolved to serve the future of road racing by mentoring new drivers on both
amateur and professional levels. The Club’s membership includes leading
industry professionals, race officials and motorsports journalists, in addition
to prominent racing names.
In 2011, the RRDC launched a free on-line training seminar - www.safeisfast.com
- featuring more than 30 RRDC members and other industry experts in
high-quality videos covering subjects from physical and mental preparation to
driving techniques, driver safety to car setup and sponsorship. The videos are
updated regularly.
President Bobby Rahal is the 1986 Indy 500 winner and is co-owner, with David
Letterman, of the 2004 Indianapolis 500 winning Rahal Letterman Racing team.
Ten-time SCCA National champion John Fergus is the Club’s Vice
President/Treasurer, and five-time SCCA National champion Tom Davey is the
Secretary.
In addition to RRDC members lending their expertise to up-and-coming drivers,
the Club presents three annual awards: the Phil Hill Award for rendering
outstanding service to road racing; the Mark Donohue Award for personal spirit
and performance at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs; and the Bob Akin
Award – the top award presented to amateur and semi-professional racers –
for speed with style, passion, sportsmanship and contribution to motorsports.
The RRDC also supports the Team USA Scholarship, which has been assisting young
Americans in the early stages of their careers since 1990.
Membership in the RRDC is by invitation only. Additional information on the
organization may be found at www.rrdc.org.
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