National MS Society Award to LCMS Founder Fay Teal
Laps to Conquer M.S., Inc. (LCMS), co-founder, Fay Teal, was inducted into the National MS Society's 2005 Volunteer Hall of Fame for Fundraisers at their November 11 National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 1989 LCMS has raised $136,000 for the NMSS.
"I was honored to be nominated," said Fay, MS patient and LCMS Executive Director, "being selected was a surprise. All that LCMS collects is spare pocket change from Sports Car Club of America amateur racecar drivers, crew members, race workers and the many friends of LCMS."
LCMS had a very busy year. Baglier Mazda, of Butler, Pa., is a new sponsor this year that arranged for LCMS to use a Mazda6 Sport Wagon from April 27 through November 21.
On April 27, David & I took our motorhome-Chief-to BeaveRun Motorsports Complex, in western Pa., where Danny Yanda had the Dominion Title Baglier Sunoco Mazda6 Sport Wagon almost ready for the April 29 - May 7 One Lap of America (OLOA). Ron Pizor joined us there April 28, as David finished "dressing" the Mazda. David, Ron & I took the Mazda to South Bend, Indiana, for the OLOA start.
The LCMS team changed this year. Ron started with us. He ran with us to Indianapolis Raceway Park, then back to BeaveRun. Danny then replaced Ron. Danny ran with us until Nelson Ledges, Ohio, where Ron replaced Danny. Ron was with the LCMS Mazda back to the 1 Lap finish South Bend. (I think that's right.)
The OLOA started 93 cars and teams on a wet Tire Rack skid pad in South Bend then sent us on a 3,500-mile trip through 18 eastern states that stopped at 9 racetracks for 20 timed events. The OLOA ended 8 days later, back where it started, on a dry skid pad.
The OLOA stopped for timed events at Indianapolis Raceway Park; BeaveRun, Pa.; Lancaster Speedway, NY; New Hampshire Int'l Speedway; Shenandoah at Summit Point, WV; Mason Dixon Dragway, Md.; Virginia Int'l Raceway; Roebling Road, Ga.; and Nelson Ledges, Oh.
The Carolina Rod Shop, in Piedmont, S.C. - owned by fellow 1 Lapper, Glen Dodd - hosted a break between Virginia Int'l Raceway and Roebling Road. 1 Lappers visited with Dodd's family and staff-and got fed. This is always a welcome stop.
The LCMS Dominion Title Baglier Sunoco Mazda6 finished 55th Overall, of the 93 competitors, and 9th in the 18-car Mid Priced Sedan/Wagon class. The LCMS Mazda6 usually placed between 52nd and 60th at the events-very good for an unmodified car (the LCMS drivers are good, too). The best finish was 29th OA, 9th in class, at a very wet Roebling Road.
We dropped Ron off at his house and had a short visit with his wife, Darlene. Back at BeaveRun - again - we saw Danny as we got Chief ready to bring the LCMS Mazda and us home to recover from the colds we got.From May through November, the Dominion Title Baglier Sunoco Mazda6 averaged 4 appearances monthly as a pace car, display car or competitor-David Teal won his class at a South Jersey Region, SCCA Autocross in July.
LCMS was event charity for 3 events this year. Just before the first, the Tri Region Double National at Pocono Int'l Raceway, the Mazda was hit and totaled 17 miles from home. Baglier Mazda found another Mazda6 so LCMS missed having a car for only 2 events. LCMS finished the year's schedule and even took it to the National Conference of the NMSS in Atlanta. It was a very full year.
Advances in understanding and treating MS are happening but MS still exists. So until it is cured LCMS drives on to the checkered flag.
Thank you, to the Sponsors who fuel the drive to end MS:
Baglier Mazda Butler, Pa. 724.283.7400
Dominion Title Services, Inc. Vineland, N.J. 856.691.6783
Sunoco Performance Products, Linwood, PA 800.722.3427
Sunoco Marcus Hook Refinery, Marcus Hook, PA 610.859.1038
SunGard Availability Services, Philadelphia, PA 215.351.1016
Steven Rudner, D.M.D. & Staff, Cherry Hill, N.J. 856.428.2550
Chambres and Associates, LaMott, PA 215.635.7294
Baglier Racing Dutch Dryden Stephen Wasley Meg Meyer
Personally -
David has a 3 granddaughters: Leda Marguerite, born Apr 25 to Cyndy & Brock Yates, Jr., Abby, 3 & Sami, 1
David & Rich Smith repeated, for 3rd time, as NESCCA Enduro Race Series Champions.
Fay's grandsons are growing: Dylan is 14 in 9th grade; Caelan, 6 in 1st grade, Tristan, 2 1/2.