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IMSA Paddock Unites for Disabled Veterans Initiative

IMSA paddock unites for “Homes for Our Troops” on July 4 weekend…

Photo: John Dagys

Visit Florida Racing’s partnership with Homes For Our Troops in this weekend’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen brings together three different IMSA teams, in a unique set of circumstances that dates back to an accident in the last WeatherTech SportsCar Championship round at Detroit.

SunEnergy1 Racing team owner Kenny Habul has made a donation to the charity, which provides 100 percent handicap-accessible homes to combat disabled veterans, mortgage free, with Freedom Autosport driver, retired Marine Staff Sgt. Liam Dwyer, having recently been accepted into the program.

Habul’s No. 75 Mercedes-AMG GT3 suffered brake failure in Detroit, slamming into the No. 90 Visit Florida Riley Mk. 30 Gibson of Renger van der Zande and resulting in significant damage to both cars.

While the Australian offered to pay for the repair bills for the Visit Florida squad, team owner Troy Flis suggested he instead donate the funds to Homes For Our Troops, which has indirectly benefited Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge competitor Dwyer, who lost his leg in an IED explosion in Afghanistan.

“My wife Meghan and I are very fortunate to have been accepted into the Homes For Our Troops program,” Dwyer said.

“Being provided a handicap accessible home is a huge weight lifted off our shoulders. This will allow me the freedom to move around our house with complete ease.

“To have the ability to come home after a race weekend, take my leg off and relax, all while still being able to function and move around freely in my wheelchair, is something I can’t put into words.

“I can’t thank Homes For Our Troops enough for providing this freedom to us.”

The Homes For Our Troops logo is prominently featured on the Visit Florida Racing entry this weekend, which carries a special camouflage livery as part of Fourth of July weekend celebrations.

“First of all I want to say thank you to all of our Veterans and current armed forces for their sacrifice for our country,” Flis said. “We are honored to represent Homes For Our Troops at The Glen and show everyone what this incredible organization is all about.

“We have watched Liam race over the last few years and it’s just been outstanding to see all he has accomplished. So we are thrilled to have him benefit from this cause.

“And of course a big thank you to Kenny [Habul] who stepped up to be a part of this deal.

“On the track we may all be competitors but away from the track it has been great to see everyone come together for this cause.”

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John

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