Putting FUN into Fundraising at Solo Nats
By Jim Weidenbaum, SCCA Foundation BOD
Jay Bullington and JXB Performance helped raise over $4000 for the SCCA Foundation’s Women On Track and general fund at the 2024 Tire Rack Solo Nationals in Lincoln, NE. While that donation was itself impressive – it was the way these funds were raised that should make all of SCCA proud.
Jay Bullington, 2023’s Spirit of Solo recipient, volunteered for the dunk tank, to help raise funds for SCCA Foundation’s Women On Track and general fund.
Photo by: Rick Cone
Here's how it worked – it started with a dunk tank. As Jay tells it, “It wasn't like a typical dunk tank event where you paid a certain amount to have X throws at the target. Instead, 12 SCCA volunteer celebrities (including Jay) sat on the tank. Each of the volunteers was auctioned off, with the auction winner getting to dunk the person in whatever fashion they liked.” While most threw rubber balls from the standard distance of 20’ others got closer to ensure they’d hit the target with some - eventually - just hitting the button by hand, with even large groups coming up to press the button all at once much to the delight of all – including the wet volunteers.
Again, quoting Jay, “It was all about the show.” While the auction started with some class leaders, later auctions featured some prominent autocrossers. Given the good-natured SCCA crowd, as the event proceeded it got more creative, with people pooling their money towards the cause. At the end, it was Jay’s turn – colorfully outfitted with poncho and sombrero - with the crowd taking one-at-a-time turns dunking him a total of 5 times.
Watch this clip from JXB’s 2024 Solo Nats video showing some of the Solo Nats Dunk Tank FUNdraising:
The full list of dunk tank volunteers:
Christian Patrick – in-going CSP class leader
Chris Gregor - Chicago Region Board member and Region sponsor
Ryan Huffman - EP competitor, Charlotte
Alex Piehl - prominent PA autocrosser and multi-time winner
Bill Rogerson – “Team Canada” competitor
Mat Beck - paddock layout designer
John Hale - leader of the RTRT Big Wheel ProSolo extravaganza
Andie Albin - SCCA staff and WOT member
David Nolan - this year's Spirit of Solo recipient
Rick Cone - prominent autocrosser
Rick Myers – SCCA Director of Rally/Solo
Jay Bullington – “party planner” and last year's Spirit of Solo recipient
What an outstanding, community-spirited, fun way of raising money for SCCA Foundation and WOT. Our greatest thanks to generous auction bidders and to those volunteering to get a dunking for a good cause.
For more information on SCCA Foundation and Women on Track, please visit www.SCCAFoundation.org