Accessible Racing And Shane Hmiel Conquer The Rock

 

Rockingham, N.C. – Bad weather couldn’t stop Accessible Racing and Shane Hmiel on Saturday, January 26 at Rockingham Speedway.

Two and a half years prior to this day, doctors told Hmiel’s parents that he had a 10 percent chance to live, and that he would never walk or breathe on his own again, after a crash in a United States Auto Club Silver Crown race on October 9^th, 2010.

Shane Hmiel’s indomitable spirit and determination helped him to beat almost all of the odds the doctors said he was up against. Accessible Racing’s President Brian Hanaford, Rockingham Speedway’s President Andy Hillenburg, and Hmiels mother Lisa, teamed up to put Shane back where he never thought he’d be again, behind the wheel of a race car.

Accessible Racing, the brain child of Brian Hanaford, is a New Jersey based Nonprofit Corporation, whose purpose is to “Break Down Barriers and Create Opportunities” for person’s with disabilities. Hanaford said that newly injured persons will reach a plateau after traditional therapies, and will make a mental list of things they can no longer do in life. Hanaford said,” We want to give them freedom, hope and inspiration with our accessible cars and other programs, and teach them skills useful in everyday driving through our multi-tier programs.”

On Saturday, Andy Hillenburg and his team at Rockingham Speedway did everything they had to and then some, to make sure the track was ready. Hanaford and his team had the car dialed in and ready to ride. When they helped Shane Hmiel into the driver’s seat and instructed him on the controls specifically adapted for his needs, it was the quietest garage in the history of Rockingham. Everyone present watched, and waited, and slowly, the largest, most genuine, infectious smile crossed Hmiels face, and he looked out at everyone in attendance and said, “I can’t wait to floor this thing.” There were a lot of eyes filled with tears that morning.

The first two track runs were taken by Lance Corporal Cody Evans USMC (ret), and Scout Sniper Jessie Fletcher USMC (ret), injured veterans who lost their legs in IED explosions in Iraq. They had come to Rockingham on Saturday through Hanaford’s invitation to another program, Racing 4 Vets. Hmiel watched every move being made by these Marine Corp veterans. Hmiel said, ”Those guys are the real heroes here today, they are the ones that have made it possible for all of us to just be here, let alone take advantage of this amazing car Accessible Racing has brought here for us.”

And then it was time. The Accessible Racing team got Hmiel buckled in, and, with David Dion buckled in the passenger seat beside him, the window net was raised, the engine was fired, and with a huge grin and a thumbs up, Shane Hmiel did what no one, including himself, ever thought he would do, he drove a race car 10 laps around Rockingham Speedway. When he pulled in the pit afterwards, a sparkle in his eye and a grin on his face, Hmiel said, “I don’t want to get out, let’s go again!”

Whether a part of the Accessible Racing team, Rockingham staff, media, family, or friends that were in attendance at Rockingham Speedway on Saturday, they bore witness to a warrior conquer an enemy.

Brain Hanaford said, “This is what it is all about, this is why we do this. Through our various programs, such as iracing, and the accessible cars, we can give people of the disabled community a chance to do the things they never thought they could.”

For more information on Accessible Racing, and how you can help:http://www.accessibleracing.com ; https://www.facebook.com/messages/accessibleracing

Or, contact Brian Hanaford, President, Accessible Racing : https://www.facebook.com/messages/brian.hanaford

(Photo Credit: Andi Camassar)

Shane Hmiel Set to Get Back Behind the Wheel of a Racecar at Rockingham Speedway

Shane Hmiel Set to Get Back Behind the Wheel of a Racecar at Rockingham Speedway

Accessible Racing has teamed up with Hmiel to share freedom, hope, & inspiration & to build the morale & welfare of the disabled that will help them reintegrate into society post injury

(Charlotte, N.C. Dec. 18, 2012) Ever since Shane Hmiel’s accident that left him paralyzed while attempting to qualify for a USAC race at Terra Haute, Indiana on Oct. 9, 2010 his Road to Recovery has been nothing short of miracles and has served has an inspiration to many. Doctors initially told Hmiel and his family he had a 10 percent chance to live and that he would never walk or breathe on his own again. He wasn’t supposed to ever move his fingers again. He wasn’t supposed to ever move his arms again. He wasn’t supposed to ever move his toes or his feet again but he has defied the odds and overcome all those things.

For Hmiel, none of this would have been made possible without all the support, prayers, and donations from his loving family, friends, and fans across the country. And now, with continued support, Hmiel has the opportunity to get back behind the wheel of a racecar with Accessible Racing at Rockingham Speedway on Saturday, January 26, 2013. For more information on how you can be involved to help make this special event happen, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/cxq7wfy. Donations are being accepted now through January 26.

Accessible Racing is the brainchild of Co-Founder and President Brian Hanaford and is a program built on the mindset of breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for disabled Vets and civilians. Hanaford grew up in an auto racing family but choose a different path in life. Running became his passion but a car accident resulted in a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) that changed the course of his life. After years of recovery and emotional distress, he decided to modify a racecar to assist the physically challenged. Hanaford explains, "Seeing the look on other disabled peoples’ faces when they took a ride in my racecar was a life changing experience for me. Improving somebody’s quality of life in this way is more fulfilling then any self help book or organization I learned of in 30 years. I want to continue sharing with others what has been a gift from God to me.”

The Accessible Racing driving experience provides an exciting and therapeutic experience that helps disabled individuals rediscover their capabilities. It opens up the possibilities in their lives after an accident, illness or injury. It allows individuals to experience the excitement of competition and the thrill of victory, as well as the agony of defeat. These experiences help prepare individuals after rehabilitation to face the adversity of a disability in their lives and to learn to bounce back in the face of challenge and change. To find out more about Accessible Racing please visit www.accessibleracing.com.

Contributions and continued support will help Hmiel take another huge step on his Road to Recovery and continue the positive impact Accessible Racing is providing for our disabled Vets and civilians.

Race to the Rock Event

 

 

 

Race to the Rock Event

Objective

In conjunction with Accessible Racing & Rockingham Speedway, CMG will be providing support around the January 26, 2013 ‘NASCAR Arrive & Drive’ event on behalf of Shane Hmiel and 3 Wide Life. Through the use of Shane Hmiel’s likeness, the primary focus will be to position Accessible Racing as the leading rehabilitative race car experience for wounded Veterans and the physically challenged through targeted media relations outreach across national, regional, and local platforms in TV, magazines, print, radio, and online mediums.

Assets to Leverage

Key assets to leverage and pitch to the media to increase the likelihood of significant coverage around this event are as follows:

Shane Hmiel – Hmiel continues to defy the odds since a racing accident left him paralyzed proving he is a miracle and inspiration to many. He is a national figure and his story is certainly of national scope. It will be very meaningful news for Hmiel to get back behind the wheel of a racecar and on a racetrack for the first time since his accident.

Accessible Racing – Accessible Racing’s mission in and of itself is a very strong storyline for the media and to add to that, the world’s only hand-control equipped, NASCAR-style racecar provides for a great visual and is an excellent additional news hook for the media.

Rockingham Speedway – The location really legitimizes this event and provides for a visually appealing backdrop for the media. The track’s internal media relations department should also have an extensive media distribution list to help with dispersing news on the event.

Media Relations Outreach

Core tactic will be a month long news bureau leading up to the event that will focus on national media outlets. Secondary focus will be on regional outlets with the tertiary focus being on local outlets. Time on this will need to be spent:

• Researching and identifying all relevant/potential media outlets
• Drafting communication materials and pitches
• Conducting proactive media outreach to targeted media outlets securing interviews
• Conducting aggressive follow-up to strengthen media placement opportunities
• Maintaining contact with targeted media outlets

Sample of target media outlets that will be pitched for this event are as follows but are not limited to:

TV – 3 Wide Life nationally syndicated TV show that’s in 70 million households and reaches nearly one million viewers per week, all ESPN/ABC programming, SPEED Channel, ABC, NBC, CBS, & FOX national news feeds to local affiliates, CNN, HLN, FOX News, ABC World News, NBC Nightly News, CBS Evening News, local Rockingham TV affiliates (ABC, NBC, CBS, & FOX)

Print / National Wire Services– Associated Press, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, NY Times, LA Times, Reuters, Bloomberg News, Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service, Charlotte Observer, Indianapolis Star, Rockingham daily newspaper

Magazines – NASCAR Illustrated, ESPN the Mag, AutoWeek, National Speed Sport News, Speedway Illustrated, Circle Track Magazine, Sprint Car & Midget Magazine, ESPN the Mag, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, Men’s Journal, Best Life, Men’s Health

Radio – Sirius NASCAR Radio, MRN Radio, PRN Radio, ESPN Radio shows, Sporting News Radio shows, Fox Sports radio shows, ABC Sports radio shows

Online Sites – ESPN.com, NASCAR.com, FOXSports.com, Jayski.com, Yahoo Sports, SBNation.com, CBSSports.com, etc. and also push video of the event out virally to additional men’s interest’s sites and bloggers

Utilize Social Media Channels – Utilize Facebook, Twitter, etc. of 3 Wide Life, Rockingham Speedway, Accessible Racing, & Shane Hmiel to distribute timely news about the event.

Created by Colborne Media Group

 

 

ALL,

 

making progress, just need to fire up the fund raising (http://tinyurl.com/cfwwte7)with this added value below from media and put on best show ever.

-Brian

Race 2 The Rock Hmiel ticket!

 Accessible Racing focuses on Possibilities, not Disabilities

As a person living with disability, you know how hand controls have helped you regain your independence on the road. But what if you could help other members of the disabled community build their self-confidence with the thrill of victory?

Using a passion for racing as a vehicle for change, Accessible Racing has been tearing up national race tracks since 2007. With the worlds only hand-control equipped, NASCAR-style race car, their “arrive and drive” events have put disabled veterans and citizens behind the wheel for the experience of a lifetime.
professionals value sports and recreation to promote physical recovery. With Accessible Racing, individuals rediscover life’s’ possibilities through a fast, fun, hands-on experience that rejuvenates the spirit as well as the body.

And they need our help. Accessible Racing is now raising funds to launch their next NASCAR Disabled Driving Experience event at Rockingham Speedway in January 26, 2013. With your support, civilians and veterans will experience the thrill of victory.
Help fuel this important event and raise awareness for the disabled community at    http://www.indiegogo.com/worlddrivingchallenge.

As a proud sponsor of Accessible Racing, DADC is pleased to share this opportunity with you and your friends.

Thank you for your consideration,
Brian E. Hanaford

Racing for Disabled Vets @ The Rock

 

 

Accessible Racing (AR) plan to expand its race experience by finding sponsors and partners that can bring together the financial, product, and marketing resources to help continue to create compelling motorsports experiences for disabled people of all ages.

 

Accessible Racing will employ a conventional driving simulator to rehabilitate war fighters and civilians with disabilities by teaching them how to drive.

 

VXP driving simulator is a commercial-off-the shelf gaming wheel modified with a low cost hardware simulation of a hand controlled acceleration and braking system powered by iRacing.com advanced training technology.

 

Accessible Racing, Sonalysts Corporation and Dr Jeffrey Heckman have collaborated on a White Paper submission for Driver Rehabilitation Training System (DRTS) to prepare disabled war fighters and civilians to successfully pass all drivers license certification requirements. Sonalysts has an extensive background in military training, as well as computer based military simulation and commercial gaming. We plan to leverage this expertise to develop a comprehensive suite of software training scenarios when funding is procured. 

 

Driver Skills Development Program develop the skills to avoid an accident and transition virtual world skills seamlessly to real world experience where they will learn car control and behavior to anticipate and respond to emergency situations. With the assistance of cooperative insurance in the State of Vermont and vetted in a study conducted by the Vermont center for Justice Research, Driver Skills Development program can reduce the automobile crash rate by 50%. Cooperative Insurance, as well as the Vermont Youth Safety Council PAY their employees and policy holders to attend.

 

Accessible Racing Recreational & Therapeutic value reaches far beyond the highways and speedways with a mentoring program that shares Freedom, Hope and Inspiration with newly injured persons that typically make a mental list of things they can no longer do, this is a road map to recovery and not only learn to do things differently, BUT provide a service and shared experience from participants.

 

Accessible Racing and New England Disabled Sports are strategically planning a Power Sports program that will incorporate the tools above, in addition to marketing in the same fashion as muscle powered sports to control insurance cost and provide Accessible Power Sports benefits to charter members.

 

World Driving Challenge powered by iRacing is a example of one of the recreational activities that we rehabilitation hospitals can feature as a shared activity. Accessible Racing will work with Charter members on develop new Power Sport programs, keeping Social Media out reach current, and help find new ways for Charter Members to contact them.  

 

'Indiegogo' will also be integrated into this project to help charter members access film footage to reach out to family, friends and resources.

 

Accessible Racing will help secure partners that can donate product and services that can help underwrite cost. Major Corporate partners are contingent on the response we gain through charter memberships to help show marketing reach and impact.

 

Accessible Racing needs your help to create a marketing plan that can bring AR to the next level by increasing awareness and positively influencing consideration for Power Sports program and services.

 

 

Lawrence Klamecki, President Racing4Vets, Inc.

Racing4Vets plan is clear, which is to build a grassroots “fun” karting program that’s located near Veterans Administration hospitals, with the opportunity for vets to pursue it as far as they’d like.

 

They WILL establish a U.S. karting rehabilitation and racing program in the USA, integrating with KartForce and the experience of disabled karters in the U.S. to do it correctly.

 

They will  bring an injured veteran’s kart racing team to compete against lads in the UK. 

 

Racing4Vets has so far had a very warm welcome.  I’m getting incoming emails and calls a couple times a week now from people looking to help.  This is a good sign that we will be able to put the necessary resources in place without an inordinate amount of publicity.  Klemechi's greatest concern is the dignity and achievements of the individual veterans. 

 

 

 

 

Motorsports for Injured U.S. Military Veterans Higher Ground program link to promo video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6P_g_V5q1w

 

World Driving Challenge sustainability and fundraising plan  http://tinyurl.com/cfwwte7

 

Also Expected to attend: check out youtube.com/abHeart08 Ansel Brown will be joining us at "The Rock" http://tinyurl.com/cfwwte7 ”

Special Guest: also include Military guest, Childrens Dream Racer, Shane Hmiel, 3 Wide Life (hopefully Steve Pruett also) and possibly  Mario Fiore's Irish connection and guest! 

GOOD YEAR & PENSKE Racing Shocks support-

GOOD YEAR & PENSKE Racing Shocks support- 

Accessible Racing &

World Driving Challeng powered by iRacing.com

2012 National Award WINNING Motorsports Video of the Year!

"This Demonstrates racing's contributions beyond the track and crystallizes everything that makes racing, and sports in general, great", said Justin Burnett, who has been with SPEED TV for nearly 2 years. " Far away from the bright spot light of a NASCAR race weekend, Accessible Racing is using their passion for racing as a vehicle for inspiration and change."

There's more then meets the eye!

Sonalysts Corp developed NAVY software training for every submariner in past 30 years. New York University Medical Center's Dr Jeffrey Heckman, and Accessible Racing co founder Brian Hanaford joined together to Research & Develop a Driver Rehabilitation Training System. DRTS design is strive to develop comprehensive suite of software driver training scenarios focused on preparing disabled war fighters and civilians to successfully pass all driver's license certification requirements.  

Start Your Engines with World Driving Challenge

Accessible Racing and Social Architect cause related shopping network to provide innovative fund raising for consumers to purchase daily used products at market value to benefit disabled Vets and civilians; coffee mugs, cell phone jackets, pet or dog tags, apparel, etc.
Accessible Racing offers World Driving Challenge (WDC) access for purchases of $100 or more on  http://tinyurl.com/8oyv3rn! 

,  

WDC powered by iRacing is a sustainability plan loaded with incentives beginning with access to iRacing.com and the World's leading fund raising software and tools like individual web sites and form letters to ask family and friends for support, apparel, and an opportunity to drive a NASCAR or INDY car or Accessible Racecar at participating tracks across America, Canada and the UK.

"It has been 3 years of development and now the time is here! We are excited...."

-Sean Siff, iRacing.com 

World Driving Challenge (WDC) is a sustainability plan to provide VA facilities and top rehabilitation hospitals a chance to share Freedom, Hope and Inspiration - Therapeutic Physical & Emotional Rehabilitation- to break barriers and create mobility opportunities for newly injured and physically challenged Vets and Civilians to reintegrate into society. WDC includes iRacing access and the world leading fund raising software with built in fund raising incentives, including a chance to drive a NASCAR! 

• Improve shared activities and participation of family caregiver, friends in rehabilitation.
• Improve hand / eye coordination and muscle memory in the virtual world that seamlessly transitions to real world applications.
• Improve functional performance in daily life skills 

  

Hanaford explains, "We are team players providing services to accomplish together what could not be achieved individually. The goal is to bring the marketing plan to the next level by increasing awareness in social media out reach and developing new ways to allow marketing partners and customers to share interest in developing a national Power Sports Network with benefits for existing organizations!"

• Good Year racing tires, Penske Shocks, Sunoco, iRacing.com discount or donate parts and equipment.  

• Atlanta Motor Speedway, Canaan Fairs Speedway, Lime Rock Park, Thompson Speedway, Wall Stadium, Waterford Speedbowl, White Mountain Motorsports Park discount equipment & track time to deliver programs that help underwrite services. 

• Local supporters like Vien Builders, Annie's Overflow Restaurant, Woodward's Resort support our cause. 

• The goal is to bring the marketing plan to the next level by increasing awareness in social media out reach and developing new ways to allow marketing partners and customers to  develop Accessible Power Sports. 

• Insurance to network National organizations in the same manor Disabled Sports USA was formed. 

• We realize not everyone wants to drive a racecar, but what about other events like Jet Skiing, Snowmobiling, ATV or 4X4 events covered under the same insurance umbrella?

•  Fundraising and marketing to grow membership in conjunction with existing muscle powered sports offered through Disabled Sports USA chapters!

• Social Architect designed a shopping network that provides daily use items at fair market value for cause related shoppers.

• Social Architect and Accessible Racing offer unlimited gift ideas ranging from branded ceramic ornaments, coffee mugs, thermos's, apparel, dog tags, cell phone jackets for all models for cost related shoppers to help empower the disabled Vets and civilians. 

• Accessible Racing page will offer World Driving Challenge discount or free entry for http://accessibleracing.swagpress.com  purchases over $100 dollars! 

"This really is a wonderful program, full of great people, who are bringing immense enjoyment to people who would otherwise never have had this opportunity!"

 -Sonalysts Technical POC, Mike Kolar.

  

1. Purchases ALL benefit physically challenged Vets and civilians! 
2. World Driving Challenge discount or free entry for purchases over $100
3. Remember, WDC includes iRacing access and the world leading fund raising software with built in fund raising incentives, including a chance to drive a NASCAR! 

FRONT PAGE UNION LEADER, http://tinyurl.com/dyhfhjf  

NATIONAL AWARD WINNING VIDEO, view video on main page www.accessibleracing.org

WORLD DRIVING CHALLENGE, (sustainability plan) http://tinyurl.com/766a38e      

ACCESSIBLE RACING SWAG NEWS SHOPPING NETWORK http://tinyurl.com/8oyv3rn

CONTACT: Brian Hanaford

Email: BrianHanaford@aol.com

Phone: 603-726-6477

Adaptive racing program focuses on vets

By ALLEN LESSELS
New Hampshire Union Leader

Plymouth resident Brian Hanaford, co-founder and president of Accessible Racing, helps Team Wounded Warrior driver Heriberto Vidro into a specially designed, NASCAR-style stock car at a New Jersey race track during filming for a NASCAR Race Hub documentary. (COURTESY)

CONCORD -- brought his one-of-a-kind race car and his vision to downtown the other night and set up in Bicentennial Square behind Margarita's Mexican Restaurant and Watering Hole.

The brightly painted car carried the name of sponsors and supporters and, from the outside, looked much like an older version of the NASCAR vehicles that will zip around New Hampshire Motor Speedway just up Route 106 in Loudon this weekend in the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Sprint Cup race.

Up close was a slightly different story.

The car with the blue and yellow paint scheme is equipped and outfitted to be the flagship vehicle for Accessible Racing, an organization co-founded by Hanaford that intends to open doors to auto racing, both virtually and on the racetrack, to injured veterans and others who are disabled.

“It's not all about racing,” Hanaford said. “It's about living for these guys and getting them a newfound freedom they may have given up on.”

Heriberto Vidro, who suffered a spinal cord injury in an explosion in Iraq in 2003 and uses a cane and has a service dog, drove the Accessible Racing car last summer.

“Oh man, it was like a dream come true,” said Vidro from his New Jersey home. “I wanted to be a race-car driver since I was a kid and thought I was never going to achieve that. I couldn't believe it when I put on the race suit and they put me in the car and I was whipping around the turns. It was so fast, and it felt so natural. You could actually feel the car hugging the turns.”

Vidro and his golden retriever, Houdini, spend much of the winter in Waterville Valley, working with the adaptive ski program at Waterville Valley Ski Resort.

At NHMS this weekend, racers will hop into their cars through the driver's seat window.

The Accessible Racing car has a door that swings open to 90 degrees, and Hanaford opened it last week to show off some of the adjustments that had been made to the vehicle.

The driver's seat swivels, allowing the car's operator to move from a wheelchair into the seat. Hand controls allow the driver to use the accelerator and brakes. A couple of different steering wheel options are available, depending on the needs of the driver. And the passenger side of the car is set up with controls, too, giving an instructor a chance to teach and help out.

Accessible Racing is a multi-pronged approach, with the race car and what Hanaford likes to call an “arrive and drive” racetrack setup at the top of the program.

The organization has partnered with iRacing.com, a Massachusetts-based company that offers a worldwide online racing community, and Driver Skills Development, a long-standing driving school in Raymond that teaches teens and others to drive.

The idea is to get people who have been disabled started on the way back to driving freedom, first in the virtual world — “it has tons of therapeutic value in developing hand-eye coordination and other aspects,” said Hanaford — then in adapted cars at the driving school and finally, for those who want to take it all the way, in the race car.

iRacing.com has a prototype of a steering wheel and hand-controlled hardware system.

Accessible Racing is in its early stages, and Hanaford and the organization are working with veterans groups — there's a Wounded Warriors Project decal on the car — and others to raise awareness, get the word out and seek funding for the programs.

“The car was built for disabled veterans to give disabled veterans a run around the track,” said Sean Siff, a Hopkinton native and marketing manager for iRacing.com. “The immediate goal is to spread awareness and let people know there's a place for them to go and learn about racing, and also to have more at-track events where they can experience it for themselves.”

A moving video describing the project aired on the Speed Channel last year and remains available on the group's website (www.accessibleracing.com).

“We train for one thing and a career path we thought we could spend a lifetime working in, and then all of a sudden we have this abrupt change in our life,” retired Air Force Lt. Ian James Brown, who is paralyzed from the chest down from a line-of-duty injury, says in the video. “Sometimes we need just one thing to shock the system.”

Driving the race car helped get him on track, said Brown, who is now in medical school and also serves on the board of directors for Accessible Racing.

“We all love auto racing, and it's a big draw for a lot of guys,” Brown adds. “But this is a greater endeavor, that we're getting guys rehabilitating and on the path of success in every facet of their lives.”

Former NASCAR champion Terry Labonte, incidentally, won a Cup race in the Accessible Racing car in the vehicle's early days, Hanaford said.

Years later, it still appears to be a winner.

- - - - - - - -

Allen Lessels may be reached at alessels@unionleader.com.