K&N Joins 19 year-old Jarrod Holly's Quest for Bucket List Power Tour
- Mar 7, 2012
Even after being diagnosed Jarrod, who already had a deep passion for cars and drag racing, successfully participated in Jr. Dragster racing winning an event in his specially modified half-scale dragster. As his disease progressed, even the changes that were made to his car were not enough for him to continue to compete safely and after a crash when he was ten, his parents has to sadly pull the plug on Jarrod's racing program. Although young Jarrod is wheelchair bound, he continues to be as involved with his love of cars and drag racing as much as his extremely limited mobility will allow. He makes as many visits as possible to his local drag racing facilities, including his home track Southwestern International Speedway [SIR], in Tucson, Arizona. He has also taken up participating in RC race cars, something that he can still enjoy being a part of the action even with his deteriorating health.
"He recently graduated high school and is going to college on a part time basis, about 2 hours a week, where he is studying Computer Graphics," said his father Ethan, who not long ago retired from his position to take care of the now 19 year-old, Jarrod. "He knows what is happening to him and he has a 'Bucket List;' he saw the movie. Participating in the 2012 HOT ROD Power Tour is a major part of that list. His prognosis is not good, but maybe they are wrong and he will be around a lot longer. There is so much to do in a short amount of time. He enjoys life and he doesn't complain about what is going on. That right there gives my wife Barbara and I the strength to keep going, but it weighs on our minds every day. We enjoy seeing him happy and that's all that counts right now. So when we say thanks to all those who are helping Jarrod make his Power Tour dream come true, we really mean it." The HOT ROD Power Tour is rolling tribute to the performance car and is the ultimate gearhead road trip. Now in its eighteenth year, the tour consists of seven days in seven cities. For 2012, it will kickoff June 2nd in The Motor City and spend the next week driving and bench racing through the Midwest, including other Michigan stops as well as in Illinois and Oklahoma, before wrapping up June 9th in Arlington, Texas. "I met Jarrod and his father, Ethan, at the 2011 SEMA show through a mutual friend," explained Devin Rickey, Sr. Manager of Special Projects for K&N Engineering. "After hearing about Jarrod's plans to participate in HOT ROD Power Tour and what he wanted to do with the car, I thought that there is an opportunity for the aftermarket community to help this young man's dreams come true. Jarrod's dad, Ethan is also building a custom trailer to tow behind the 2007 Mustang that will give them the needed capacity to carry Jarrod's wheelchair and any other support equipment." Starting with K&N Engineering, numerous manufacturers and companies along with various individuals have joined in the quest to make Jarrod's dream a reality. "The generous outpouring of support in needed parts for this young man's wish list and his project have been wonderful," said K&N's Rickey. "But we could still use some help in making this Power Tour trip a reality for Jarrod and that is why we are reaching out to let others know about his story. Anyone who may like to take part, may contact me directly."
"It's such a wonderful project to be involved in and even though we have been very successful in acquiring much of Jarrod's wish list for the car itself, there is only a very short time to make his dream a reality," added Rickey. Current supporters for Jarrod and his Mustang Power Tour Project: - K&N Engineering - Saleen Speedlab [Series 6.5 Supercharger Kit] - Ford Racing - Tom Detloff and Wayne Geoffery - Brembo Brakes - Big Brake Kit - Sharp's Transmission and Auto Repair [Axle Upgrade] - Don's Hotrod Shop [Axle Upgrade] - Army SSG Nathan Guzik [Front Hood Strut Cylinder Kit] - American Muscle - Various Dress Parts - Classic Design Concepts - Various Dress Parts - Tucson Dragway/SIR - Jim and Lori Thomas - Brown Motorsports Custom Trailers - Custom Wheelchair Trailer - MSD Ignition - Southwest Custom Trucks For more information on how to join the in helping Jarrod Holly, contact Devin Rickey at K&N Engineering 951-826-4119 or email him. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
