REV Group, Inc, a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of specialty vehicle brands, along with Road America, have teamed up to pay tribute to first responders at the inaugural NTT IndyCar series REV Group Grand Prix June 20-23, 2019.
“We got involved in racing about three years ago with Team Penske when we were taking the company public,” says Tim Sullivan, president, and CEO of REV Group. “We looked at where all of our vehicles congregate in one spot—it’s a race track. Everything we do finds its way to a race track.” Sullivan says he was talking to George Bruggenthies, an old friend and recently retired president of Road America, who asked if REV would sponsor an IndyCar series for the next three years to take place in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. “We started talking about it, and he told me that on any given day there are 200 first responders around the track. We said if we sponsored it, we would make it a tribute to first responders. I said if we’re going to do it, I want to do it right. I want to make sure all first responders get in for free all weekend. It’s really a tribute to them.”
As part of the tribute, all active-duty first responders will receive free entry to the REV Group Grand Prix during the entire weekend of activities including the NTT IndyCar feature race. Additionally, REV Group and Road America have planned a unique race experience to honor the men and women who answer the call to protect and serve our communities. First responders, including law enforcement, fire, paramedics, and EMTs, will be admitted free of charge by showing valid identification indicating active service Thursday, June 20 through Sunday, June 23. Free admission must be redeemed at the gate and is only valid during the event weekend.
Fire and ambulance vehicles from REV’s E-ONE, KME, Horton, AEV, and Wheeled Coach brands will be on display, allowing race fans to get a close look at some of the vehicles that equip the nation’s first responders. “We are honored to have the REV Group Grand Prix as a platform to recognize first responders. The employees of REV wanted to share our appreciation for the dedicated people who use our vehicles each day to serve their communities,” says Sullivan.
The NTT IndyCar Series (NICS) will take center stage at Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI, June 20 to 23, where an international lineup of drivers will compete on one of the world’s most revered road courses. NICS Championship driver, Josef Newgarden, will return to defend his 2018 Road America win in a REV-branded Team Penske Dallara/Chevrolet. “Safety is paramount at our track and in this sport, and the fire and medical team are critically important. Our award-winning Road America Safety Team, which is entirely first responders, have saved many lives over the years, and we are thrilled that the REV Group Grand Prix gives us the opportunity to recognize all first responders on and off the track,” says Mike Kertscher, Road America’s president and general manager.
Sullivan explains that getting involved with the race is about being part of the industry. “My grandfather was a fire chief for 30 years. My father was a firefighter. My uncle just retired as a captain,” he says. “It’s more than just providing vehicles. It’s being part of the industry. It’s being connected with firefighters and EMTs. It’s above and beyond vehicles. We want to be part of the industry. You can’t be part of the industry unless you really embrace the people who are part of the industry. It’s beyond vehicles for us. It’s something we want to be deeply involved in. It goes back to my personal roots, but it is also the right thing to do: t