About the Race for Hope

Steve Marcus, of Motorsport Technology Group and founder of Marcus Motorsports of Richmond, Virginia, along with his partner Larry Hahn, will donate 2008 season race proceeds from their new BMW Z4 M Coupe, along with proceeds from other fund raising events and activities during the 2008 race season to the Meisha’s Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338 at Morris Animal Foundation. This Fund sponsors research into the prevention and treatment of Autoimmune/Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA/IMHA). AIHA/IMHA claims the lives of an estimated 50% of dogs afflicted with the disease.

Marcus’s intentions are two-fold; to provide funding to accelerate research on AIHA/IMIHA, as well as increase awareness of the disease. He anticipates a minimum half million dollar contribution. This fund-raising effort has been named “Race for Hope” to represent the need for speed to find a cure and hope for his late dog Tasha (who was diagnosed with IMHA in mid-March 2008 and passed in May 2008), as well as other dogs affected with the disease.

The #18 BMW Z4 M Coupe and #21 Porsche 911 sport the Morris Animal Foundation colors, with logos and paw prints at events in the KONI Challenge and BMWCCA. This headliner racer, car #18 named Megen, was designed and built by Motorsport Technology Group in Wardensville, West Virginia. It features 3.2L BMW power and will be piloted by the expert team of Billy Johnson of California and Tom Milner from Virginia. The car will debut at Lime Rock Park on May 24, 2008. The Lime Rock debut will include informational brochures about AIHA/IMHA. Caps, t-shirts and stickers featuring paw prints and logos will be available for donations, with proceeds going directly to the Meisha’s Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338 at Morris Animal Foundation. The Marcus’s hope to bring their dogs Tasha and Anya to the track to lead a “Mutt Strut” on Sunday, May 25 for both race fans and dog lovers.

Morris Animal Foundation and the Meisha’s Hope Web site thank Marcus Motorsports and Motorsport Technology Group for all their efforts to help in the fight against AIHA/IMHA. Together we will find answers to the many questions that surround this difficult, often fatal disease.

How can I donate?

• Purchase a "Race for Hope" benefit items on this website's marketplace
• Participate in the "Race for Hope 5K Run and Mutt Strut at Lime Rock Park" (see information below)
• Purchase a "bone" decal Grand-Am GT Classic at Lime Rock Park on Memorial Day Weekend, and apply it to the #18 racecar!
• Simply sending a donation check, payable to Morris Animal Foundation (please put fund #338 on the memo line) to:

motorsport technology group
ATTN: Meisha's Hope benefit
4104 Eubank Road Richmond, Virginia 23231

How can I learn more?

Visit the Meisha's Hope homepage
Visit the Meisha's Hope page at the Morris Animal Foundation

Upcoming Race for Hope Events

Stay tuned for more Race for Hope events. To be notified of upcoming events, please contact stevem@motorsporttechnologygroup.com

Past Race for Hope Events

Race for Hope, Lime Rock Park, May 25 2008

Mutt Strutt, Lime Rock Park, May 25 2008

Meisha's Hope Contributors

The following businesses contriburte a portion of their proceeds to the Meisha’s Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338 at Morris Animal Foundation: