Team Summit Racers to Visit U.S. Troops in Germany

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Fri, 28 Oct 2011, 11:20 AM

Team Summit Racers to Visit U.S. Troops in Germany

Courtesy of Alan Rebescher/Media Relations

TALLMADGE, Ohio --

Team Summit drivers Jason Line (far left), Dan Runte (blue shirt, kneeling),
and Rickie Jones (Summit shirt, kneeling)
visiting with Air Force personnel at Ramstein AFB, Germany, in 2010.

Team Summit stars Greg Anderson (NHRA Pro Stock), Jason Line (NHRA Pro Stock), Rickie Jones (ADRL Pro Nitrous), and Dan Runte (Summit Racing/BIGFOOT Monster Truck) will be bringing a bit of home to American troops overseas as part of the Armed Forces Entertainment-sponsored trip to Germany this November.

The trip marks the seventh consecutive year NHRA pro-class racers have visited troops overseas. This is the first visit for Greg Anderson; Jason Line, Rickie Jones, and Dan Runte made the trip in 2010.

Team Summit will be based at Ramstein Air Base, spending three days visiting with military personnel as well as wounded troops at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and the Wounded Warrior Center. The 86th Services Squadron will host the drivers and provide transportation and logistics support during the visit. Major (retired) Dieter Protsch and Sfc (Retired) Wayne Reed of the Army Special Forces Association Chapter 64 (Carlisle, PA) will accompany the team as tour coordinators.

DHL Express USA has again donated their international express shipping service to deliver approximately five pallets' worth of T-shirts, ball caps, banners, decals, Spike TV Powerblock DVDs, and other items to Ramstein, Germany. Team Summit racers will be handing out these goodies to service personnel during the trip. This marks the second year DHL Express has contributed to the cause.

"You Feel Like You've Done Something Good"
"I'm excited to be going back to Germany, and especially excited that Greg is going with us this year," said Jason Line, driver of one of KB Racing's Pontiac GXP Pro Stockers. "This will be my third time, and it's just a great trip-you feel like you've done something good. Those people are doing good every day just doing their jobs, and if we're able to bring them a little slice of home to show our appreciation for what they do, it is well worth the time. After all, they are the ones who allow us to have the freedoms we enjoy every day, so this is the very least we can do for them."

Rickie Jones, who pilots a 1969 Camaro in ADRL Pro Nitrous and NHRA Pro Modified competition, echoed Line's sentiments. "This will be my second year traveling overseas with Team Summit. It is truly an honor to meet and visit with the men and women that have sacrificed so much for our nation. The joy that we can bring by simply expressing our appreciation for their dedication and service is amazing. It is a true honor to be a part of this."

"It's Important to Go"
Four-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson heard all about the visits from teammate Jason Line and committed to go this year.

"Jason has gone the last couple years, and each time he returned from the trip he would tell me what a tremendous experience it was and what a great time he had," said Anderson. "I'm glad to have the chance to join him this year. These people sacrifice so much to allow us to enjoy our freedom. I think it's important to go and spend some time with them and show our appreciation. It's going to be a great deal for me personally, and I can't wait to get over there."

Summit Racing/BIGFOOT Monster Truck driver Dan Runte said, "Our troops spend so much time away from their families and friends protecting all of us at home. Anything we can do to show them that we appreciate their sacrifice is time and effort well spent. They're a big reason why we enjoy our freedoms as Americans."

Committed to Supporting Our Troops
"Summit Racing is honored to once again have the opportunity to be a part of this trip and show continued support of our troops," explained Jim Greenleaf, Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports and Events Manager. "It was an eye-opening experience to see the men and women of our military in action when we visited last year, and were touched by just how much they appreciated our visit. We are looking forward to returning to Ramstein AFB, and visiting additional bases this year. Thanks go to Armed Forces Entertainment, Army Special Forces Association Chapter 64, and Wayne and Dieter for allowing us the honor of visiting the troops."

Team Summit racers will be blogging during the trip. The blogs and photos will be posted on www.SummitRacing.com and www.NHRA.com.

About Armed Forces Entertainment
As the official Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel overseas, Armed Forces Entertainment and its performers have the honor of supporting soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines by bringing them the very best in American entertainment. Armed Forces Entertainment hosts more than 1,200 shows around the world each year, reaching more than 500,000 personnel at 270 military installations. From muddy makeshift stages to show-stopping extravaganzas, the performances bring a piece of home to those stationed far away from home. Learn more at www.armedforcesenterainment.com

About DHL Express USA
DHL is the global market leader in the logistics industry and "The Logistics Company for the World". DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 275,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. For more information go to www.dhl-usa.com

About Summit Racing Equipment
Established in 1968, Summit Racing Equipment is the leading high performance parts and accessories company. Summit Racing offers the largest selection, lowest prices, and best customer service in the high performance industry via catalogs, Internet, and Retail Super Stores. The company is headquartered in Tallmadge, Ohio with retail locations in Tallmadge, Ohio; Sparks, Nevada; and McDonough, Georgia.

Team Summit Racing-Armed Forces Entertainment
Germany Trip Itinerary

Ramstein Air Force Base
Ramstein is the largest U.S. Air Force base in Europe. Most of the units Team Summit will be visiting are located in and around the base.

Sunday, November 20
• Flight into Frankfurt, check-in at Kaiserslautern Military Community
The KMC is the largest U.S. military community outside of the United States, housing over 50,000 military and civilian personnel supporting Ramstein AFB and surrounding U.S. military facilities.

Monday, November 21
• Visit to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
Landstuhl is where severely wounded troops from active theaters are evacuated for treatment and preparation for transfer to hospitals in the United States.

• Visit/Autograph Session at the USO Wounded Warrior Center
This is a recreational center reserved for the wounded soldiers at Landstuhl.

• Visit to the Contingency Aero Medical Staging Facility (CASF)
CASF is the section of Ramstein AFB that receives wounded troops coming from active theaters and readies them for flights back to the United States.

Tuesday, November 22
• Visit to Spangdahlem Air Force Base

Wednesday, November 23
• Visit/Autograph Session at 86th Services Squadron Auto Skills Center
Also known as the Auto Hobby Shop. Personnel can work on their personal vehicles here, or have them serviced at the fully equipped repair shop.

• Visit to 21st Operational Weather Squadron, Sembach Annex
The 21st provides weather support for all US Air Force and Army forces in the European Command. Commonly referred to as USAFE Operational Weather Squadron.

• Autograph Session Kaiserslautern Military Community Center (KMCC) BX/PX Located in the Kaiserslutern Military Community, the KMCC is the largest U.S. military shopping center in Europe.

• Visit/Autograph Session at Ramstein PAX Terminal
The area where all personnel come into or leave Ramstein AFB