The mission of Every Lap Counts is to raise funds and awareness for childrens charities around the world in a unique and fun motorsports format. It is the intent of Every Lap Counts to spread care and joy to children all over the world by inspiring, influencing and empowering others to follow in this noble cause.
“I have been fortunate to receive God’s blessing in just about every endeavor and adventure I have ever pursued. I feel it is my duty to give back to those who have not been so fortunate, and children have always had a very special place in my heart. Most say the reason for this is simply because I am just a big child myself and I tend to agree with them. Every time I see a child smile it gives me great joy. At the same time it reminds me of those children around the world who don’t get to smile much, or never smile at all. Every Lap Counts is my gift to all the brave children around the world who so desperately need a reason to smile. Together, we can fulfill this great mission and share my passion of placing a smile on every child’s face.”
-Toto Lassally
Engine Woes End Day Early For No. 134 but Donor Part Helps Teammates Carry on Race and Mission
The 134 MyPluggz.com/Drink Florida Orange Juice!/SPEEDCOM/Marcos Racing International BMW 120D team of Hal Prewitt, Will Turner, Don Salama and Toto Lassally saw their bid for a repeat win in the Dunlop Dubai 24 Hours end early Saturday but not the effort to raise funds for a pair of children's charities through EveryLapCounts.com.
Prewitt had just taken the wheel of the second-place No. 134 for a Saturday evening driving stint in what had been a trouble-free run to that point by all four SPEEDCOM/Marcos drivers. He was accelerating up to speed after an on-course safety period when he felt the steering stiffen. Prewitt made it to the pits where the Marcos Racing crew confirmed the problems went beyond the steering.
"The team tells me it was a pretty serious crankshaft failure in the engine," Prewitt said. "I have honestly never heard of something like this happening without a major hit or something, but it did and the pulley system on the front of engine came loose and undone when the crank broke. That's why the steering went off and it turns out it was a much bigger issue with the engine."
Turner and Salama saw their debut race on the Dubai Autodrome come to an early end but were still impressed with the Marcos team and the performance of the diesel BMW.
"That car was actually coming to us," Salama said. "Even in the night with old tires, I could run fast laps in that car within a second of our pole time all night long, and it was consistent. The car was as powerful at the end of the stint as it was on the first lap of the two hours. This is the mistake probably because I was starting to believe that we actually had a chance, not the fastest car but we were up to P-2, and we were moving like perfect. Then all of a sudden we had a significant and unusual event for the crank to break. You never hear about this type of problem but it happened, and that's racing."
Turner started the No. 134 BMW and joined only Salama in getting two full stints before the early exit. The retirement could have also meant the end for this year's EveryLapCounts.com (ELC) charity fundraising drive, but some sportsmanship between teammates ensured that another Marcos entry and the ELC effort will both have a chance to continue to the race's checkered flag on Sunday.
The sister No. 135 Marcos Racing International BMW 120D of Jan Versluis, Trevor Knight, Kurt Thiel and Frank Nebig encountered a myriad of mechanical issues from the race's first hour. The team overcame an early wheel bearing failure and related rear suspension change only to be forced to the sidelines again with a fuel-line failure at the time of No. 134's retirement.
"Part of doing well in a 24-hour race is luck, but luck just bit us," Turner said. "But our retirement was also a lucky break, and in a charitable way, because a part of our car is helping our team car live on. We actually took a fuel line off our car and donated it to their car and that's giving the 135 guys a chance to keep up the laps for a good cause. So, let's just cheer them on now."
The 26-hour webcast that began a 1 p.m. local time on Friday will continue in an abbreviated schedule until the race finish Saturday at 2 p.m. The webcast and donation link can both be found at www.EveryLapCounts.com. The No. 134 BMW completed 173 official laps before retiring. Donors have the option of calculating their per-lap pledge based on that laps-completed amount or adding the total laps that the No. 135 BMW will complete. Fixed dollar amount pledges will not be effected.
