Colorado Springs, CO - December 28, 2004 - WoO Sprint PR
More than anything, Kevin Gobrecht wanted to be an Outlaw. From the time he started racing as an 8-year-old, Gobrecht dreamt of racing a sprint car with the World of Outlaws.
After years of success as a member of the Pennsylvania Posse and in a few short stints with several Outlaws teams, Gobrecht landed a full-time ride in 1999 driving for former champion Dave Blaney. Once he was settled, Gobrecht earned a victory at Eldora and had a solid showing at Knoxville. It was clear he had the skill and ability to become a star on the circuit.
But on a late September night at I-80 Speedway in Nebraska, Gobrecht died from injuries sustained in a crash. It left the sprint car world stunned.
In the days that followed, the Outlaws announced its honor to the top first-year driver would become the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award. In addition, his family created the Kevin Gobrecht Memorial Fund.
The award in 2004 went to Kraig Kinser, but it is the fund that continues to best pay tribute to Gobrecht, who in addition to racing earned a degree in business and finance from Millersville University. To date, the organization has raised and distributed more than $54,000. And in a display of how popular Gobrecht was, his memorial merchandise has been requested worldwide.
“The rookie of the year award title keeps Kevin associated with the Outlaws, and that was one of his dreams,” said Donna Gobrecht, Kevin’s mother. “All he ever talked about was being a professional driver with the World of Outlaws. It means a lot that the Outlaws were willing to carry his name.”
The organization’s biggest fundraiser is an annual golf tournament near the end of September. In 2004, 140 golfers helped to generate a record-high $19,000, even after torrential rains forced the event to be relocated in a matter of hours.
The group uses those funds to award two scholarships and assist local and national charities.
“One scholarship is through the high school that goes to a senior going into higher education,” Donna Gobrecht said. “The second one is through the racetracks and is available to anyone. The only stipulation I put on that scholarship is that the winner attend Kevin’s memorial race at Lincoln Speedway for the presentation. This year, because of the proceeds from the golf tournament, we’ve actually been able to double the amount of the scholarship so we’re going to give two $2,000 scholarships this year.”
The rest of the money is donated to aid groups, such as Feed a Friend, or ones that assist injured drivers in the racing community.
“The purpose is to keep Kevin’s name alive,” Donna Gobrecht said. “We’ve never taken one cent for administration costs or anything. It’s all going back into the racing community, and that’s the purpose.”
For more information on the Kevin Gobrecht Memorial Fund, go to www.kevingobrecht.com.
Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Winners
2004 — Kraig Kinser
2003 — Jason Sides
2002 — No rookies on tour
2001 — Jeff Shepard
2000 — Danny Wood
1999 — Tim Shaffer
More than anything, Kevin Gobrecht wanted to be an Outlaw. From the time he started racing as an 8-year-old, Gobrecht dreamt of racing a sprint car with the World of Outlaws.
After years of success as a member of the Pennsylvania Posse and in a few short stints with several Outlaws teams, Gobrecht landed a full-time ride in 1999 driving for former champion Dave Blaney. Once he was settled, Gobrecht earned a victory at Eldora and had a solid showing at Knoxville. It was clear he had the skill and ability to become a star on the circuit.
But on a late September night at I-80 Speedway in Nebraska, Gobrecht died from injuries sustained in a crash. It left the sprint car world stunned.
In the days that followed, the Outlaws announced its honor to the top first-year driver would become the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award. In addition, his family created the Kevin Gobrecht Memorial Fund.
The award in 2004 went to Kraig Kinser, but it is the fund that continues to best pay tribute to Gobrecht, who in addition to racing earned a degree in business and finance from Millersville University. To date, the organization has raised and distributed more than $54,000. And in a display of how popular Gobrecht was, his memorial merchandise has been requested worldwide.
“The rookie of the year award title keeps Kevin associated with the Outlaws, and that was one of his dreams,” said Donna Gobrecht, Kevin’s mother. “All he ever talked about was being a professional driver with the World of Outlaws. It means a lot that the Outlaws were willing to carry his name.”
The organization’s biggest fundraiser is an annual golf tournament near the end of September. In 2004, 140 golfers helped to generate a record-high $19,000, even after torrential rains forced the event to be relocated in a matter of hours.
The group uses those funds to award two scholarships and assist local and national charities.
“One scholarship is through the high school that goes to a senior going into higher education,” Donna Gobrecht said. “The second one is through the racetracks and is available to anyone. The only stipulation I put on that scholarship is that the winner attend Kevin’s memorial race at Lincoln Speedway for the presentation. This year, because of the proceeds from the golf tournament, we’ve actually been able to double the amount of the scholarship so we’re going to give two $2,000 scholarships this year.”
The rest of the money is donated to aid groups, such as Feed a Friend, or ones that assist injured drivers in the racing community.
“The purpose is to keep Kevin’s name alive,” Donna Gobrecht said. “We’ve never taken one cent for administration costs or anything. It’s all going back into the racing community, and that’s the purpose.”
For more information on the Kevin Gobrecht Memorial Fund, go to www.kevingobrecht.com.
Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Winners
2004 — Kraig Kinser
2003 — Jason Sides
2002 — No rookies on tour
2001 — Jeff Shepard
2000 — Danny Wood
1999 — Tim Shaffer
