Indy legends backs U.S. Navy charity

From Rahal Letterman Racing

HILLIARD, OH — Celebrated around the world for its accomplishments on four wheels, Rahal Letterman Racing is entering the two-wheel world in a partnership with the naval-focused charity organization Steel Anchor and famed custom motorcycle builder Darwin Motorcycles to raise funds for U.S. Navy sailors and their families.

The partnership will raise funds for the U.S. Naval Hospital medical research efforts through the creation of a custom-built Darwin Motorcycle in which the bike’s theme honours Rahal Letterman Racing and its co-owner Bobby Rahal. The motorcycle will feature graphics honouring Rahal’s Hall-of-Fame racing career that saw him win three Indy Car championships along with the 1986 Indianapolis 500. The bike will also contain some custom engineering modifications from the race team.

“We are quite honoured to have been included in such a worthwhile endeavour that has the potential to positively impact the lives of sailors and soldiers that protect our country,” said Rahal. “Rahal Letterman Racing pledges to use whatever resources necessary to help create and promote this project and look forward to building toward a quality result that will help raise funding and awareness for Steel Anchor.”

The Steel Anchor charity, www.steelanchor.org, was created in 2008 and is a dedicated union of current and former Naval personnel whose goal is to raise money to help both prior and current sailors and their families. The organization was created by U.S. Navy veterans Vic Perz and Michael Keyes and has already been integral in charitable support on a global scale.

“Steel Anchor is both excited and honoured by Bobby and his entire team’s willingness to support this project and our troops. The Rahal Letterman racing team truly exemplifies the American spirit,” said Perz. 

The Cincinnati-based organization is joining with Darwin Motorcycles and its founder Dar Holdsworth to create a custom bike that will raise funds for their organization. Holdsworth’s Brass Balls Bobbers & Choppers have placed third and fifth in the World Championships of bike building (production class) and have been selected as a Top 10 production manufacturer in 2008 and was awarded "Production Bobber of the Year" for 2009 by Easyriders and V-Twin Magazine. They were most recently named the official bike for Daytona Bike Week 2011.

“As a veteran myself, I understand firsthand the need to provide support to our troops. I am excited to be a part of a project that gives back to the selfless men and women who serve our great country," said Holdsworth. “A very special thanks to Rahal Letterman Racing and Steel Anchor for entrusting us to create this bike. We are honoured to collaborate with Bobby Rahal and his world class race team, Rahal Letterman Racing.”

The motorcycle is slated to be completed by the end of the year and will then go on a year-long tour of the country to raise awareness for Steel Anchor. More details on the build, Rahal Letterman Racing’s contributions to the project and the process of awarding the bike to a lucky winner will be released as the project progresses.