Late Model Champion Brian Tagg Enters Karting to Conquer Cancer

Late Model Champion Brian Tagg Enters Karting to Conquer Cancer

Tom Larson Files First Entry for January Event

 (December 1, 2015 - WALLINGFORD, CT) – Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park Late Model champion Brian Tagg has announced his intentions to run the inaugural Karting to Conquer Cancer, being held at On Track Karting in Wallingford, CT, on January 16.

Tagg, who earned the title in his rookie season at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, is excited to take part in the charity event, which will benefit the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.  Tagg explains, “Racing is very dear to me, but it's not just about the racing, it's about people other than ourselves that are either struggling personally with the disease, or have a loved one with the disease.”

Tagg has many reasons to participate in the event, including family and crew members who have been affected by the disease, saying, “I have had a crew member, John "Red" St. Germain, lose his fight to cancer in 2012.  My late Pepe had prostate cancer, and beat it.  One crew member we have now, Ed Bedard, has a rare form of leukemia, called Multiple Myeloma, and is in remission.  It's been a part of our team’s lives, unfortunately.”

The first person to enter the Karting to Conquer Cancer, Tom Larson, also has plenty of reason to compete.  Larson, a corner flagman on the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park road course, says, “I have had family members who have succumbed to cancer, I think that we all have.  I have had friends that have also suffered with different types of cancers, and I have seen the impact that it has had on them, as well as their families.  It is a terrible thing, and if there is some small way in which I can help to put an end to it, or ease the suffering, then I am going to do that.  It is the human and humane thing to do.”

With the chance of going up against some of the biggest names in the industry in New England, Larson is not intimidated, explaining, “I have run fender to fender in the karting venue with a few drivers with big names.  The chance to rub elbows, and maybe fenders, with them is a challenge, and a chance to learn a few things.  For me, the biggest thing is to be able to simply have had a good run, and be able to feel I did the best I could, even if it is to have finished in last place.”

The entrants have a great understanding of the purpose of the event, to raise money and awareness against this horrible disease.  Tagg continues, “If we can make a difference in even one person’s life after this event, it's a win.  It's a great concept with how [OTB Promotions] is going about it, and it's only going to raise more awareness as time goes on, also.”

The Karting to Conquer Cancer will take place on January 16, at On Track Karting in Wallingford, CT.  The Karting to Conquer Cancer event is also the second race in the Triple Charity Challenge, a three race series for drivers to earn points towards a championship of charity races, concluding at the DT100, on February 27.  For more information, visit www.otbpromos.net, or visit the event page, at https://www.facebook.com/events/1442606889364050. 

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By:  Shawn Sicard