This is RACERS WHO CARE’s newsletter. Here you can find the most recent updates.
381
Racers Who Care, Inc.
RACERS WHO CARE, INC., IS A CALIFORNIA-BASED 501C3 CHARITABLE CORPORATION THAT HAS WORKED WITH AUTO,
Los Angeles County Sheriff Department Detective Andrew Armes, again joins Racers Who Care’s Field Trip Program for Kids at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach as a speaker. RWC has received a grant from the Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation making the upcoming Field Trip Program for Kids possible. Also supporting RWC's April 19 – 21 Field Trip Program is the Gand Prix Association of Long Beach via Chris Esslinger and Mike McElroy in the form of Exhibitor Passes, a Conference Room in the Long Beach Convention Center with tables and chairs, as well as the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach via Rick Duree, in the form of Friday General Admission tickets.![]()
![]()
Armes drag races a unit painted to look like a Los Angeles County Sheriff Department. He began racing karts, at what is now the Auto Club Speedway, in Southern California. He realized quickly that he enjoyed all things fast: cars, boats, etc. He now has several cars – all fast - and races with the L.A.S.D. Motorsports Team, the largest law enforcement racing and outreach team in the United States. ![]()
![]()
Some years ago, Sheriff Deputies who raced realized that motorsports involvement gave them an opportunity to interact with youths in a non-authoritative, interactive setting through which they enjoy sharing their racing experiences with kids and teens. They find that their stories of hard work, overcoming challenges, team spirit, and dealing with disappointment assists kids and teens with pinpointing and achieving their goals. Andrew’s outreach through Racers Who Care, Inc. is done on his own personal time. He pays his own related out of pocket expenses and is not an RWC employee.
Tiffani Marie Lewis will be a speaker for Racers Who Care, Inc.'s Quick Tips on Winning in Life Field Trip Program for Kids during the upcoming Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 19, 2024. RWC’s Field Trip event is made possible by a grant from the Norris Foundation, by the Gand Prix Association of Long Beach via Chris Esslinger and Mike McElroy in the form of a Conference Room in the Long Beach Convention Center with tables and chairs, as well as by the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach via Rick Duree, in the form of General Admission tickets.![]()
. ![]()
Tiffani Lewis is a National Porsche Club of America Driving Instructor, who primarily races Autocross circuits and track events. She is the first female to be awarded Instructor of the Year for PCA-OCR (Orange Coast Region) and has achieved consecutive first place wins in her class for several years in the PCA-OCR Autocross Series. ![]()
![]()
Additionally, Tiffani has participated as an instructor in the first women's track day of its kind, Accelerating Change. She has also been a guest judge for the annual Steve McQueen Car Show, an instructor at California Festival of Speed, and has appeared in various publications and commercial spots promoting PCA, POC, Michelin Tires, Hunziker Design LLC, Rennsport Reunion, Vision Motorsports, and Cars & Canvas. ![]()
![]()
Born in Bellflower, California, Tiffani didn’t dream of racing while growing up, but always loved cars and driving. Her first car memories are of helping her dad rebuild the engine of her grandfather's 1967 Mustang Fastback. But, while her dad taught her about mechanics, it was her mother who taught Tiffani how to drive a 5-speed Honda Civic. Learning how to drive a clutch was important for Tiffani's future racing career. ![]()
![]()
Her first personal car was a 1993 Suzuki Swift, which was also her home for a few weeks during a challenging time in college. She loved that car! Selling it was hard, but necessary when she moved to Seoul, South Korea for two years to work as a missionary, serving as a teacher and director of an international school. ![]()
![]()
In addition to raising her son, racing, and volunteering, Tiffani has owned and operated a tutoring/mentoring business she established following her return from Seoul. Her goal is to share her passion of cars, racing, education, art, and culture with today's youth.![]()
![]()
Tiffani joined the Porsche Club of America in 2014, then attended a Car Control Clinic, and participated in the first autocross of the 2014 season. “Autocross is cheaper and more fun than therapy!” she joked. She has also stated: “Life takes us all on twists and turns, but the ride is much more fun in a fast car!”
Once again, Racers Who Care, Inc. has been honored to receive a grant from the Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation for its upcoming Field Trip Program for Kids to take place at the Acura Toby Jen Graynd Prix of Long Beach April 19 - 21. Also supporting RWC's Field Trip Program is the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach via Chris Esslinger and Mike McElroy in the form of Exhibitor Passes, a Conference Room in the Long Beach Convention Center with tables and chairs, as well as the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach via Rick Duree, in the form of tickets.![]()
![]()
The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris foundation, whose mission is: “Enhancing the quality of life through medicine, education, and the arts in Southern California,” was created in 1963.![]()
![]()
Based in Long Beach, California, the Foundation’s initial areas of funding were medicine and private education in California.![]()
![]()
Throughout the years, the Norris Foundation continued to allocate larger portions of its resources to medicine and education but began encompassing a broader range of organizations, including communities, youth programs, science and the arts.![]()
![]()
Since 1963, the Foundation has created partnerships with many organizations that they still collaborate with. The Foundation counts its longstanding relationships as one of its most valued assets. ![]()
![]()
The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation first awarded grants to RWC in the late 1990’s. Then, they collaborated with RWC’s Field Trip Program for Kids at the Grand Prix of Long Beach in 2013, adding RWC’s Field Trip Program for Teens, held in connection with the National Hot Rod Association’s Career Fair, in 2015.![]()
Once again, Racers Who Care, Inc. has been honored to receive a grant from the Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation for its upcoming Field Trip Program for Kids to take place at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach April 19 - 21. Also supporting RWC's Field Trip Program is the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach via Chris Esslinger and Mike McElroy in the form of Exhibitor Passes, a Conference Room in the Long Beach Convention Center with tables and chairs, as well as the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach via Rick Duree, in the form of tickets.![]()
![]()
The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris foundation, whose mission is: “Enhancing the quality of life through medicine, education, and the arts in Southern California,” was created in 1963.![]()
![]()
Based in Long Beach, California, the Foundation’s initial areas of funding were medicine and private education in California.![]()
![]()
Throughout the years, the Norris Foundation continued to allocate larger portions of its resources to medicine and education but began encompassing a broader range of organizations, including communities, youth programs, science and the arts.![]()
![]()
Since 1963, the Foundation has created partnerships with many organizations that they still collaborate with. The Foundation counts its longstanding relationships as one of its most valued assets. ![]()
![]()
The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation first awarded grants to RWC in the late 1990’s. Then, they collaborated with RWC’s Field Trip Program for Kids at the Grand Prix of Long Beach in 2013, adding RWC’s Field Trip Program for Teens, held in connection with the National Hot Rod Association’s Career Fair, in 2015.
Only about 23 students and six staff participated in RWC's second Field Trip Program on Saturday, April 15. They were from Long Beach's Bixby Park and Valor Academy Middle School. Speaking to them were Martina Kwan, who also led their Expo Tour, and Jake Stone, who comes to racing via genes. His Grandfather was the 2023 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Grand Marshall. Jake is set to begin racing on the Porsche Owners Club Circuit soon.![]()
MARTINA IS AN EURASIAN RACE CAR DRIVER, A WAR SURVIVOR , A BUSINESS STRATEGIST, A TRANSFORMATIONAL COACH, AND A JELLY, EMMY & FURNITURE DESIGN AWARD-WINNING BUSINESS FOUNDER & ENTREPRENEUR.![]()
Martina was born in Hong Kong to a German mother and Chinese father. She spent her childhood in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, but credits living in war-torn Beirut, Lebanon between the ages of 8-10, as an experience that defined much of her fearlessness today. Her unique path in life has shaped her into a woman of drive and determination.![]()
After earning two Master of Science degrees, Martina worked in the male dominated finance and accounting fields in New York City with KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Wall Street's Lehman Brothers. Eventually, she landed Senior Management roles with Ian Schrager properties, the Hudson Hotel and the Paramount Hotel. Ultimately, Martina's strong entrepreneurial spirit led her to leave the corporate world to open her own business, the award-winning furniture company, Neoteric Luxury Outdoor Collections. She had previously won Jelly and Emmy awards with the first company she founded, So! Animation.![]()
At the age of 50, Martina decided to become a race car driver.![]()
Since her debut as the world's only Female Chinese/European race car driver, Martina has become a 3-time champion in a male-dominated racing category in her Porsche 911. She set track records in each of her Porsche car classes, and has won first place for most of each year she has driven. In addition, she is now an FIA licensed race car driver of the Saleen Si in Saleen Cup Series as part of the Blancpain GT World Challenge Series. She podiumed twice in the 2019 Saleen Cup Series' seven races. Since then, she has entered into discussions with Saleen to drive a second season with them in the Si, and aspires to continue blazing trails in her Porsche 911 race car in her male-dominated GT4 Class.![]()
As a mother of two teenage girls, one of her goals is to inspire people, especially women, as well as girls and boys to have the courage to dare to be different, remember who they are, and to fear nothing as they transition into a life of happiness and fulfillment. And...to convey that it's never too late to accomplish anything, at any age.![]()
Martina currently resides in Los Angeles, California. She is fluent in English and German and holds both US and British Citizenships.![]()
RWC's 2023 Quick Tips on Winning in Life Field Trip Program for Kids at thge Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach was made possible by a grant from The Norris Foundation and by the support of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, via Chris Esslinger and Rod Henderson, who donated a podium, chairs, tables, a multi-media setup, and a large Conference Room.
Forty-six students from the YMCA of Greater Log Beach, Teach Academy of Technologies and Bandini Elementary School participated in RWC's first, 9:00 a.m., Field Trip Program for Kids on Saturday, April 15 at the 2023 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Speaking to them and answering their questions during a Question and Answer Session, was Nicholas Deskins. Deskins is the current Cal Poly Racing Business Team Lead, Testing Lead, and driver. Cal Poly Racing competes in Formula SAE which is a collegiate racing series where universities build their own race cars to compete at annual events at Michigan Motor Speedway. Deskins is a former F2000 race engineer and USAC West Coast Midget crew member with LKK Racing., who finished 4th in the season and won Rookie of the Year honors. Recently, Cal Poly Racing Formula SAE beat 114 teams for a 6th place finish. Now the team is preparing for the final race of their season. Nicholas also assisted Martina Kwan with the students' Expo Tour. Kwan, has scored three GT4 championships in her Porsche 911. Additionally, she is now an FIA licensed race car driver of the Saleen Si in Saleen Cup Series, a part of the Blancpain GT World Challenge Series. Supporting this program was the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach via Chris Esslinger and Rod Henderson, who provided a Conference Room, tables and chairs, a podium and video setup; as well as a grant from The Norris Foundation. (Photos were by Kevin Amirkhanian.)
For Racers Who Care's Third Quick Tips on Winning in Life session at 3:00 p.m. on Friday April 14 at the 2023 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, 145 students and 23 staff attended from the Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach, the Griffith Steam Magnet Middle School and the YMCA of Greater Long Beach. Supporting this program was the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach via Chris Esslinger and Rod Henderson, who provided a Conference Room, tables and chairs, a podium and video setup; as well as a grant from The Norris Foundation. Our two speakers who were to make a Quick Tips on Winning in Life Presentation to the students couldn't locate parking anywhere near the Long Beach Convention Center and went back home, after notifying RWC. However, stepping into the breach, was Tiffani Lewis, who is a Porsche driving instructor and is an autocross racer. Tiffani made the Presentation, led the Question and Answer Session and led the students on their Expo Tour! Special kudos to Tiffani for all the extra work! The photos are by Kevin Amirkhanian.
Over 360 children, under the age of 12 years, participated in Racers Who Care's recent Quick Tips On Winning in Life Field Trip Program for Kids at the 2023 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. The Norris Foundation provided the grant that made the Program possible, while the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach via Rod Henderson and Chris Esslinger, provided Exhibitor Passes, Photo Credentials, a Conference Room in the Long Beach Convention Center, tables, chairs, and a multi media set up. The first groups to participate in the Program on Friday, April 14, were San Pedro, California's 15th Street Elementary School students with their teacher, Sherry Kuhn, and Bell Gardens, California's Suva Intermediate School under the direction of Leo Gallardo. Tiffani Lewis, a National Porsche Club of America Driving Instructor who primarily races Autocross circuits, made a Quick Tips on Winning in Life racer life skills presentation to the children, then led them on an Expo Tour to interact with motorsports professionals and view race cars on display. The Photographer who took the attached photos was Kevin Amirkhanian, who worked with RWC throughout the weekend. Volunteers for the day were: On-Site Event Coordinator for Volunteers on Friday - Allan Santa Cruz; On-Site Event Coordinator for Volunteers on Friday and Saturday - Alan Aguilar; On-Site Event Coordinator for Volunteers for the entire weekend - Linda Russell; LA All-Stars' Leo Gallardo, and Tina Melendez. On-Site Event Coordinator for RWC's Event Materials, was Porsha Walker, who got RWC's materials to the Long Beach Convention Center before the event, then picked them back up after the event and helped facilitate getting them back to storage.
Tiffani Marie Lewis will be a speaker for Racers Who Care, Inc.'s Quick Tips on Winning in Life Field Trip Program for Teens this Thursday, November 10. ![]()
![]()
Hosting the Field Trip Program at the National Hot Rod Association's S.T.E.M./Career Fair will be Steve Johnson Racing. RWC's Field Trip Program for Teens is made possible by a grant from The Norris Foundation and by the support of the National Hot Rod Association and Steve Johnson Racing.![]()
![]()
Tiffani Lewis is a National Porsche Club of America Driving Instructor, who primarily races Autocross circuits and track events. She is the first female to be awarded Instructor of the Year for PCA-OCR (Orange Coast Region). ![]()
![]()
She has achieved consecutive first place wins in her class for several years in the PCA-OCR Autocross Series. She gives credit to her son, Alden, for his role as the best AX assistant! ![]()
![]()
Additionally, Tiffani has participated as an instructor in the first women's track day of its kind, Accelerating Change, in honor of International Women's Day. She has also been a guest judge for the annual Steve McQueen Car Show, an instructor at California Festival of Speed, and has appeared in various publications and commercial spots promoting PCA, POC, Michelin Tires, Hunziker Design LLC, Rennsport Reunion, Vision Motorsports, and Cars & Canvas. ![]()
![]()
Born in Bellflower, California, Tiffani didn’t dream of racing while growing up, but always loved cars and driving. Her first car memories are of helping her dad rebuild the engine of her grandfather's 1967 Mustang Fastback. But, while her dad taught her about mechanics, it was her mom who taught Tiffani how to drive a 5-speed Honda Civic. Learning how to drive a clutch was an important milestone for Tiffani's future racing career. ![]()
![]()
Her first personal car was a 1993 Suzuki Swift, which was also her home for a few weeks during a challenging time in college. She loved that car! Selling it was hard, but necessary when she moved to Seoul, South Korea for two years to work as a missionary, serving as a teacher and director of an international school. In addition to raising her son, racing, and volunteering, Tiffani has owned and operated a tutoring/mentoring business she established following her return from Seoul. Her goal is to share her passion of cars, racing, education, art, and culture with today's youth.![]()
![]()
Tiffani joined the Porsche Club of America in 2014, then attended a Car Control Clinic, and participated in the first autocross of the 2014 season. “Autocross is cheaper and more fun than therapy!” she joked. She has also stated: “Life takes us all on twists and turns, but the ride is much more fun in a fast car!” (The attached photos of Tiffani participating in previous RWC Field Trip Programs were taken by Allen Aguirre.)
Hosting RWC’s Quick Tips on Winning in Life Field Trip Program for Teens at the National Hot Rod Association’s S.T.E.M./Career Fair on November 10 for the 7th time, is Steve Johnson Racing.![]()
![]()
Racers Who Care, Inc.’s Quick Tips on Winning in Life Field Trip Program for Teens is made possible by a grant from The Norris Foundation and by the support of the National Hot Rod Association, as well as by the support of the Steve Johnson Racing Team.![]()
![]()
Steve Johnson, whose current top speed is 6.729 (seconds for a quarter mile), rides a Suzuki drag bike for the Steve Johnson Racing Team on the National Hot Rod Association's national circuit and is presently 3rd in the NHRA's Pro Stock Motorcycle national competition standings.![]()
![]()
On the NHRA Pro Stock circuit, there are few riders who work harder at competing or promoting the sport than Steve Johnson. Along with a reputation for being a tireless worker, Johnson is also known for his outgoing personality. The combination of his sunny disposition and work ethic makes Johnson one of the most popular competitors on the circuit.![]()
![]()
An NHRA superstar racer, Johnson, currently hails from Irondale, Alabama, near Birmingham. In 1993, Johnson was one of the first to make a Quick Tips on Winning in Life racer presentation, and is Racers Who Care's most experienced presenter. He has worked with Racer Who Care, Inc. for nearly 30 years.![]()
![]()
Steve has competed on other Series and types of motorcycle racing. In 1987 and 1989, he was Drag Bike USA’s Pro Stock Motorcycle Champion. In 1987, he won the PSM drag race at Fuji International in Japan. In 1991, he won the American Motorcyclist Association’s Rebel Nationals. In 1997, he won the AMA Rebel Nationals. In 1998, he received from the AMA the Hazel Cobb Award. And, in 2014, he won CompetitionPlus.com's Mike Aiello "Spirit of Drag Racing" award.![]()
![]()
One of Johnson’s career highlights occurred when, in 2008 NHRA Super Stock Drag Bike competition, Johnson posted back to back wins in Indianapolis and Charlotte, earning him a brief second in point standings position. ![]()
![]()
In addition to working with Racers Who Care, Inc., Johnson also works with B.R.A.K.E,S., which promotes safe driving for teens, and serves on its Board of Directors, and has been President of the 2-Wheel Professional Racers Organization (Pro 2).![]()
![]()
Steve also has a nationally recognized national program for high school and tech school students called "Marketing your Brand after the Diploma". It's a 45-minute high energy, interactive presentation that covers:![]()
![]()
Soft skills needed to launch a career;![]()
![]()
College, tech school, military or straight to work;![]()
![]()
Developing a personal brand to get the job;![]()
![]()
Short racing video, STEM info and very good prizes;![]()
![]()
On stage mock interviews with students; and![]()
![]()
Students competing with a portable NHRA reaction timer.![]()
![]()
"I'm really proud of the program and the input I get back from the students. Everyone isn't wired for college and we point out that you (the students) can be successful in life without five years in college and all the debt," Steve declares.![]()
![]()
On Labor Day weekend, 2022, Steve Johnson and his team were all in at the NHRA’s U.S. Nationals event in Indianapolis, and won the race in exciting fashion. The real excitement for Johnson, though, was celebrating in the winner's circle.![]()
![]()
On the NHRA Pro Stock circuit, there are few riders who work harder at competing or promoting the sport than Steve Johnson. Along with a reputation for being a tireless worker, Johnson is also known for his outgoing personality. The combination of his sunny disposition and work ethic makes Johnson one of the most popular competitors on the circuit.![]()
![]()
Johnson likes hanging out and dirt bike riding, Scuba diving, golf, NASCAR and eating…but just in the off season. “Eating good and having some strength are important,” says Johnson. “But riding a Pro Stock bike that goes 0-60 m.p.h. in a second and travels a ¼ mile at just under 200 m.p.h. in 6.8 seconds is all about finesse and being in shape,” Johnson says.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
