Honda HRC Progressive and Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Team Up at SMX Playoffs 1: Plastics Now Up for Auction
The following press release is from Honda:
Honda HRC Progressive CRF Bodywork on Auction
- Plastic from Charlotte SuperMotocross round being raffled off
- Parts autographed by Jett Lawrence, Hunter Lawrence and Jo Shimoda
- Proceeds to benefit Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Earlier today, autographed plastic bodywork components from the factory CRF race bikes of Honda HRC Progressive riders Jett Lawrence, Hunter Lawrence and Jo Shimoda were placed on auction, with all proceeds to go to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.
The parts, which were used on the track during this past weekend’s opening SuperMotocross round in Charlotte, North Carolina, feature special artwork created by PBTF patients and their siblings, and produced by Throttle Jockey, the team’s graphics sponsor. The theme for this year’s design was “The Power of Dreams: My Podium Moment,” a concept that emphasizes the strength, imagination and courage of children with brain tumors, aligning with Honda’s brand ethos and providing an emotionally resonant and timeless framework. The artwork serves as a powerful reminder of the kids who never stop dreaming while facing their toughest opponent, one far more relentless than any rival on the track.
The Charlotte SMX race weekend also saw Honda HRC Progressive and the Foundation collaborate in several other areas. PBTF patients and their families attended a Friday-night dinner in the team’s factory pits, where they met the riders before cheering them on during Saturday’s racing. In addition, associates from Honda’s North Carolina and South Carolina plants (which are responsible for the production of all Honda ATVs and side-by-sides, respectively) visited the Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital, to connect with young patients and support family engagement in the community.
Since 1991, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation has been the leading nonprofit focused on ending childhood brain cancer, leading the way in funding research into pediatric brain tumors (the deadliest form of childhood cancer), an area that is woefully underfunded by the government and private investors. A key part of the Foundation’s mission is to support innovative projects that lead to vital discoveries, new clinical trials and better treatments—all with the goal of getting closer to a cure. To date, the Foundation’s supporters have raised more than $54 million to support groundbreaking research. The PBTF also advocates for policies that help patients, survivors and their loved ones, and it provides support to families affected by childhood brain cancer along every step of the journey, through emotional, financial and educational resources.
“The Charlotte SMX weekend with Honda was really meaningful, for recognizing our longtime partnership and for bringing a really incredible experience for some patient families,” said Alissa Karas, Ride for Kids Peer to Peer Manager at the PBTF. “These families weren’t familiar with SuperMotocross, but they got the chance to enjoy the hospitality with the team and to see what SuperMotocross is all about. It made for a really special weekend.”
The partnership between Honda and PBTF goes back over 34 years and is rooted in the success of the Ride for Kids program. What began as a single initiative and a series of motorcycle events hosted by PBTF to unite riders in support of children with brain tumors has grown into a nationwide movement, connecting Honda employees, families, dealerships, customers and communities to PBTF’s mission. This legacy has fostered hope, created meaningful connections and driven lasting change for countless children and families.
“It was a pleasure and honor for our team and associates to get to spend time with such a special group of guests this weekend, and we encourage our customers and fans to bid generously in this one-of-a-kind auction,” said Jeremy McGuire, Director of Customer Engagement at American Honda. “Year after year, everyone at Honda is inspired by the PBTF and the families they work with, and ever since they visited with us at an SMX round last year, we’ve had this weekend circled on our calendar. We wish them all the best, and we look forward to seeing them next year.”
For information on how to bid, or to make a donation, visit the PBTF website. The auction will close on September 15.
