On Monday, May 2, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride made its way through downtown Kanab, under clear blue skies and a warm afternoon sun. Led by the flashing lights of the Dodge Law Enforcement Official Pace Car, more than 125 motorcycles and riders rumbled through town on their way to their next pit stop at Bryce Canyon National Park.
Now in its 26th year, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is one of the most successful and popular charity events in the country, engaging celebrities, sponsors, motorcycle enthusiasts, fans and local communities to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction, a year-round camping facility for children with serious illnesses and chronic medical conditions. Co-founded by NASCAR auto-racing icon Kyle Petty and his family in honor of his son Adam, Victory Junction provides these children with life-changing camping experiences, free of charge. Since the ride’s inception, more than 8,650 riders have logged 12.4 million motorcycle miles and raised $19 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.
The inspiration for the ride came in 1994, when Petty and three friends rode their motorcycles from North Carolina to a NASCAR race at Phoenix International Raceway. Friends joined the ride along the way, and by the time the group reached Phoenix, it had grown to 30 riders. The turnout inspired Petty, and he decided to turn the event into something bigger, thus the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America was born.
Learn more about the Kyle Petty Charity Ride at www.kylepettycharityride.com.
Learn more about Victory Junction at www.victoryjunction. org.
