Doran Racing Wins Bengals Charity Karting Event
(Courtesy Grand-Am.com)
CINCINNATI, Ohio - Brad Jaeger and Kevin Doran teamed with Cincinnati Bengals linebacker coach Jeff FitzGerald to win Friday's Shayne Graham Celebrity Raceoff on the kart track at the Motorsports Country Club of Cincinnati in Batavia, Ohio.
The Doran Racing-sponsored team edged defensive end Frostee Rucker's Premier Business Management team and Graham - a veteran pro bowl kicker who raced with Mercy Health Partners.
"It was an hour-long race using nine-horsepower Honda 4-stroke karts," Jaeger said. "It was a pretty nice kart for being a corporate event, with a nice mix of people."
Doran recently joined the club, where he drives his shifter kart in a golf club atmosphere and frequently participates in the Wednesday evening members-only races.
The Doran Racing No. 77 McDonald's Ford Dallara and John Wright's Phillips Way Racing Porsche were among the race cars on display at the Raceoff.
"It was a great event," Doran said. "There were about 12-15 Bengals players, and a lot of media. It generated a lot of money for kids.
"Jeff is a real cool guy and a huge race fan," Doran said of his co-driver. "He's a certified Richard Petty Driving Experience instructor, and gives rides during the off-season."
FitzGerald also joined Wright's pit crew for the 2009 Rolex 24 At Daytona, helping the team to a third place finish in the Acxiom GT class.
"Jeff really loved the event," Doran said. "He'll be back for next year's Rolex 24 - if the Bengals aren't in the Super Bowl."
According to an article on www.bengals.com, FitzGerald was one of the celebrities recruited by Graham for an event he hoped raised anywhere between $50-70,000 for his foundation with $5,000 per the 10 carts. It was an obvious call. FitzGerald is a race-car enthusiast who drove stocks this past winter and spring at Daytona, Bristol and Darlington as a member of the Richard Petty Experience.
"We gave guests a ride before the races, but it was a fast ride," said FitzGerald, who had it at 180 miles per hour at Daytona.
That wasn't quite nearly the speed Friday in Batavia. But FitzGerald was still eying the trophy before the race.
"This is playing," he said. "But I always want to win."
