Donations to the Roadracing World Action Fund, Inc., a 501(3)c non-profit corporation dedicated to reducing racetrack injuries by encouraging the use of soft barriers, have reached $262,669.75 for road racing and $19,147 for dirt track, for a combined total of $281,816.65.

The Action Fund educates racetrack and racing organization officials, racers and spectators on the benefits of reducing rider injuries by deploying air-filled soft barriers in front of walls, embankments and other obstacles located adjacent to racetracks.

The Action Fund arranged for AMA Pro Racing to deploy soft barriers at the Springfield Mile dirt track last September, and followed that up by adding six sections of inflatable Airfence brand soft barriers to AMA Pro Racing’s deployment inventory. For unknown reasons, AMA Pro Racing did not issue a press release on the deployment agreement, despite being asked to and responding with “We can.”

In the meantime, both Clear Channel Entertainment — Motor Sports, which runs the F-USA Series, and SMRI, which runs races in New Mexico, presented the Roadracing World Action Fund with plaques commemorating the Fund’s educational soft barrier deployments with those organizations during the 2003 racing seasons.

The 2004 season marks the Roadracing World Action Fund’s fourth year of promoting motorcycle racing safety through educational deployment of soft barriers.

Fred and Adrienne Bittner started 2004 off for the dirt track portion of the fund, with a $450 contribution. Mr. and Mrs. Bittner’s donation of $2900 in 2002 in honor of injured racer Papa Thiam, along with another $2900 donated in 2003, was enough to buy, transport and install two full sections–almost 60 linear feet–of inflatable soft barriers.

Web-based pledge drives to support the Roadracing World Action Fund are increasing, with bulletin boards and dot-coms throughout the motorcycle community joining in.

The Buell riders and enthusiasts at Badweatherbikers.com raised a total of $800 for the Roadracing World Action Fund through sales of a poster celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first Buell motorcycle, the RW 750: “We as motorcyclists would like to commend Roadracing World for having the initiative and drive to make the Air Fence Fund work. As fans and as racers, none of us like to see bad things happen to good riders, especially when something can be done about it. Thank you for all of your efforts, they do not go unrecognized. Sincerely – The collective ‘BadWeb,’ and Buell Riders and Enthusiasts.”

Mark Brereton has contributed $900 from sales of his DVD entitled “Road Race,” available at www.customflix.com. Brereton has pledged $5 per DVD sold.

Other web-based donations include Carolinabreeze.com, donating $100 “In the name of Mat Mladin,” and R6MessageNet.com donating $20 to start an ongoing campaign for increasing the use of soft barriers.

Other recent contributors include Charles Buse, $250; Scott Whetzel, $20; and Jay Barfield, adding $50 to his ealier donation of $25. Barfield sent this note with his donation: “In honor of the Eagles/Panthers NFL playoff game bet I had with Frank Angel. My team, the Panthers, won the game, thus giving me the honor of donating to the airfence fund. Thanks, JU and Roadracing World Action Fund. Oh, and Frank Angel owes me Philly beer, pretzels and a cheesesteak.”

Summary of Recently Posted Contributions

Mark Brereton/Road Race DVD $900
Badweatherbikers.com/Buell Enthusiasts $800
Fred & Adrienne Bittner $450 (Dirt Track)
Charles Buse $250
Carolinabreeze.com/In the Name of Mat Mladin $100
Jay Barfield $50
R6MessageNet.com $20
Scott Whetzel $20

Accounting Details
As Of January 22, 2004

Road Racing Expenditure Details

Direct purchase of soft barriers: $101,350
Shipping/Customs: $5654.75
Bank Fees: $344.05
Soft Barrier Deployment Crew Training: $700
Transportation & Installation: $4689.47
Corporation/Business Fees: $612
Online Auction Fees: $221.99
Printing Education Materials: $346.42
Misc Supplies: $39.59
Donation to AMA Pro Racing for soft barrier purchase: $104,104

Total Spent: $218,062.27

Total Donations Collected $261,869.75
Misc. Income $92.32

Cash on hand: $43,899.80
Soft barrier orders pending: $40,000


Dirt Track Expenditure Details

Direct purchase of soft barriers: $9200
Shipping/Customs: $2717.72
Transportation & Installation $2174.77

Total Spent: $14,092.49

Total collected: $19,147

Cash on hand: $5,054.51

All administrative costs, including the percentage taken by credit card companies on credit card donations, have been absorbed by Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.