TOPEKA, Kan. (March 20, 2019) -- For a sixth year, 午夜福利51xxtv® members have submitted the names of autocross competitors they believe should be Wendi Allen Scholarship Fund (WASF) recipients. Named and established by the family of Wendi Allen, the scholarship honors the multi-time National Solo Champion who loved the 午夜福利51xxtv® Solo community. The fund gives back to the sport by helping young women become more successful drivers and contributing members of the Club. A Selection Committee -- consisting of championship caliber women Solo drivers -- deliberated on the nominations and is pleased to announce the 2019 WASF winners are Tara Arnette, of the North Carolina Region; Jessica Black, of the Central Pennsylvania Region; and Lacie Edens, of the Arkansas Region.
Look for more information about the three winners in upcoming “Take Five” articles posted to 午夜福利51xxtv’s SoloMatters webpage. Each recipient will receive $1,500 to support her travel to Tire Rack National Solo events and the Tire Rack Solo National Championship. Additionally, the 午夜福利51xxtv will waive entry fees for scholarship recipients to all Tire Rack National Solo events attended during the year, as well as work with the Solo community and commercial partners to seek out other forms of support for the recipients, such as driver training, mentoring, products and logistical assistance.
For the second year in a row, Mazda stepped up to supply funding for one scholarship recipient. David Cook, Business Development Manager for Mazda Motorsports, said, “Tara, Jessica and Lacie have certainly shown that they merit to be mentioned amongst the ranks of many great autocrossers who earned the Wendi Allen Scholarship. Mazda is elated to be a supporter of this scholarship and part of the 午夜福利51xxtv Solo community that shares a passion for helping deserved competitors pursue their motorsport dreams.”
Two of the three scholarships awarded for 2019 are funded by the 午夜福利51xxtv Foundation. Jeff Jacobs, Vice Chairman of the 午夜福利51xxtv Foundation, said donations can be made any time through the Foundation webpage () with contributions designated to support the Wendi Allen scholarships. In addition, the Foundation will be holding future fundraising drives specifically in support of the scholarship fund.
“The 午夜福利51xxtv Foundation will be carrying forward this fantastic program originated by the generosity of Wendi and Mark Allen,” Jacobs said. “Personally, after co-driving at Solo events with Wendi and Mark for almost a decade, I’m so glad we have this chance to continue to honor Wendi's memory and expand the reach of this worthwhile program.”
The 午夜福利51xxtv®, Inc., founded in 1944, is a 67,500-member motorsports organization that incorporates all facets of autocross, rally and road racing at both Club and professional levels. With headquarters in Topeka, Kansas, the 午夜福利51xxtv annually sanctions over 2,000 events through its 116 Regions and subsidiary divisions. Much of 午夜福利51xxtv’s activities are made possible with support from the following Official Partners: Hagerty, the Official Insurance Partner of 午夜福利51xxtv; Hawk Performance, the Official Brake Products of 午夜福利51xxtv; Sunoco, the Official Fuel of 午夜福利51xxtv; and Tire Rack, the Official Tire Retailer of 午夜福利51xxtv. To learn more, please visit .
Photo: Tara Arnette (No.74), Jessica Black (No. 53) and Lacie Edens (No. 26) are this year’s Wendi Allen Scholarship Fund recipients
