Mockett.com and a Who’s Who in American Racing Support Team USA Scholarship

Nov 2, 2005
Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (November 2, 2005) –– A veritable Who’s Who in American racing, representing virtually every facet of the sport, has lent its support and credence to the Team USA Scholarship, which, in its 16th year, will give 17-year-old rising star J.R. Hildebrand of Sausalito, Calif., the opportunity to contest the upcoming Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy in England.

The series will comprise three races on each of two weekends: at Snetterton this coming weekend, November 5/6, and at Brands Hatch on November 12/13.

Doug Mockett & Company, a Torrance, Calif.-based producer and supplier of “Fine Architectural Hardware For Your Fine Furniture,” will remain as the program’s primary sponsor for the second straight year.

A variety of teams and drivers representing the Champ Car World Series, the Indy Racing League, the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series and the American Le Mans Series, plus one of the world’s most highly respected suppliers of auto racing safety equipment, Sparco USA, are among additional Scholarship supporters.

Two Champ Car teams, Dale Coyne Racing and Mi-Jack Conquest Racing (owned by former Indy Lights champion driver Eric Bachelart and Mike Lanigan), are contributing to the program along with 1996 title winner Jimmy Vasser, who since claiming the inaugural award in 1990 has become one of the Scholarship’s staunchest supporters, and 2001 Scholarship winner (and 2004 Champ Car Rookie of the Year) A.J. Allmendinger.

Buddy Rice, who won a Team USA Scholarship in 1996 and went on to win the 2004 Indianapolis 500, represents the IRL along with 1991 Scholarship winner Bryan Herta, the winner at Michigan this year.

Fellow former Scholarship winners Tony Ave (1992), Memo Gidley (1995), Paul Edwards (1998/’99), Andy Lally (1999) and Joey Hand (2000) are now plying their trade to excellent effect in the Rolex Grand-Am series and have also pledged their support. (Incidentally, Lally will be seeking to clinch his second Grand-Am championship in as many years this coming weekend in Mexico City.) Also contributing from the sports car ranks is Bryan Sellers, who joined Allmendinger in winning a Team USA Scholarship in 2001.

“I’m extremely grateful for the support of people like Doug Mockett and all these former winners – who know first-hand how much their careers have benefited in the past,” notes Team USA Scholarship founder and veteran auto racing writer/broadcaster Jeremy Shaw. “We’re still looking to complete the funding for this program. A modest investment can reap big dividends, and help make it possible to continue the development of young American talent.”

“Winning the Scholarship was a huge help to me,” declares Allmendinger. “It enabled me to make a lot of connections that really helped me get to where I am today, and it’s a great feeling to be able to be involved in giving a similar opportunity to someone like J.R.”

“One of the great things in life is to be able to help others,” adds Mockett, an accomplished vintage car racer and arch enthusiast who in recent years also has played a pivotal role in furthering the careers of both Edwards and Joe D’Agostino, who won a Team USA Scholarship in ‘03 and is now working his way up the auto racing ladder in England.

“In no other sport do the competitors need assistance like they do in motorsports. You don’t just need a mitt and bat, or tennis racket, or set of golf clubs, or set of running shoes to display your talent. You need a very, very expensive piece of machinery. If you’re not wealthy, climbing the motor racing ladder can become virtually impossible. And immensely frustrating.

“So it is a pleasure to be able to assist up-and-coming drivers like J.R.,” continues Mockett. “It’s just a small step, just a little help along the way.”