The Racing2Learn idea was developed by Jim Becker over three years ago in an attempt to tie together things that are important to him: children, education and racing. Over the last three years, Jim has had some "free" time (i.e., he has run a limited racing schedule due to family and work commitments) to think about it and further develop the concept.

The basic foundation of Racing2Learn is to help get high school-aged students more involved in racing and to help good students who may be financially challenged to attend college through the help of scholarships. It is also a tool to connect with younger children through the KIDS Machine , which is explained in further detail below.

The Concept

Initially, Racing2Learn is a two-year pilot program that starts with the creation of up to four (but at least two) scholarship programs for students who want to be involved in racing or who need help financially to attend college. This involvement includes the different aspects of racing and a race team, including but not limited to: mechanical and engineering; marketing and sales; planning, testing and result reporting; and business administration. The race team can help provide real life experiences with all of these disciplines.

To support this, J&J Racing has partnered with area schools, and with colleges and universities ( SUNY Cobleskill is the first) which offer programs in or specialize in the programs associated with each of the aspects stated above. The Racing2Learn program will allow for students to apply for internships and scholarships, and, based on those applications, teacher input and candidate interviews, the students will be selected. The criteria for selection is to choose a career "good student" and/or choose a student who needs incentive to do better and who wants to further his or her education and financially needs help doing so.

The Internship/Scholarship

The Internship portion of this program includes the duties the students perform on the race team with the requirement that the students have to commit to the necessary time before being accepted. The Scholarship, in turn, comes as a reward for doing those duties. The program is designed to put money into the scholarship fund for the students based on the teamÕs winnings and other factors such as appearances. J&J Racing puts 100-percent of the amount won into the scholarship for that year, with a predetermined minimum and maximum level to be paid out to the students.

There are different ways the program can work, and it can be customized based on the interested collegeÕs and corporationÕs needs (there is continuing need college and corporate partner support!). J&J Racing will pledge all winnings to the scholarships, and then have the associated colleges also provide scholarships for the students who choose to attend their schools. If the student does not choose any of the participating colleges, he or she solely has the scholarship money from the Racing2Learn program. In most cases, we are targeting students who choose a partner college and take advantage of the additional scholarship. This scenario helps the student and the college. The student gets "real world" experience and financial help for their college education. The college gets a student with "real world" experience, someone who has direction and a goal in life, and most likely a solid student who will participate in other programs at the college.

For instance, many of the Engineering schools have programs that involve design and creation concepts that revolve around racing and competing. Clarkson University, for example, has their SPEED program where they design, build, and race solar powered cars, all terrain vehicles, alternative fuel source cars, etc. The Racing2Learn program easily ties into one of those programs, and it would be a plus for everyone involved. We know colleges have similar programs for other disciplines as well.

The Corporate Partner

Again, J&J Racing thinks the idea of helping children with education is positive, and we believe that many corporations looking to be good corporate citizens to their customers and communities served feel the same way.

This is the perfect program for a company to attach its name to. The company becomes a Marketing Partner and will get attention through the positive press this program receives. Along with this, Marketing Partner status gets the company name (or product name) on all press releases, marketing information, team apparel and team equipment. Although this is good exposure, J&J Racing realizes the driver is a key factor in this equation. The driver must take it one step further and help bring the message into the community. Jim Becker has extensive experience with this, not only with speaking at schools and other events, but also with attracting media coverage and support. The Racing2Learn program was featured on the Albany-based "FOX Fast Track" television show (weekly racing news that covers local, regional, national, and international racing) this past year, and Jim has an "open invitation" to be a guest on the "Racing with Heart" radio show. "Racing with Heart" is broadcast on 810WGY and PYX106, the largest AM and FM stations in the Albany DMA. Jim has also been a "fan favorite" at every track which he has raced full-time during his 10-year career, and he continues to promote the program and sport he loves.

The Corporate Partner plays a pivotal role in this program, and it does not work without their support and the marketing dollars associated with that.

The KIDS Machine

The team realizes that we also need to get and keep the younger kids involved in racing. They are using the KIDS Machine idea to help generate interest in racing and to teach important messages such as teamwork, safety, and the importance of school.

Jim and the team bring the car to local schools and other events to talk about the importance of education, teamwork, abstaining from alcohol and drugs, communication, setting and attaining goals and racing. The presentation/discussion is geared to the particular age group. It needs to be fun, and the kids need to be having fun when talking about these things. Tickets are given away for the track nearest to the school, information is given about great programs going on in the community, and "cool" prizes are given away for general question-and-answer time.

The team calls the car "The KIDS Machine." The KIDS Machine moniker will be on the car, on the trailer and on the website, and it will truly be the kids' machine. One of the neat ideas used for this was having the kids sign their name or make a drawing on it for good luck at the next race. They loved it.

The team also brings marketing goodies (Frisbees, plastic cups, rulers, etc.) into the stands for the kids, and they win a gift by answering important questions. Questions are prepared for the different age groups. Examples of questions asked include: "What do you say to someone who offers you drugs?" or "What do you do if a stranger asks you to go for a ride?" or "What is the telephone number to call for help?"

General information on both programs is given to the PR person and race announcer at every track run. The "KIDS Machine" moniker helps draw even more attention to the program and the organizations supporting the program. It automatically draws the childrens' attention no matter where they are or what the team and car are doing.

In closing, the Racing2Learn idea is unique and different, and it attracts attention for those involved while meeting its core objective, which is helping educate children at all levels and providing college-bound students real world experience and help through racing.