Thu, 13 Oct 2011, 03:06 PM Wilkerson to Run Special-Edition Mustang at Phoenix and Las Vegas

Courtesy of Bob Wilber

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Tim Wilkerson's Levi, Ray & Shoup Shelby Mustang is typically one of the easiest cars to recognize at any NHRA event, but fans watching the upcoming NHRA Full Throttle races in Phoenix (October 14-16) and Las Vegas (October 28-30) may do a double-take when Wilk brings his car to the starting line.  The new look is designed to create awareness for a special on-line vote, and NHRA fans will get an exclusive "early bird" chance to participate in the selection process.

Instead of racing with his standard and familiar LRS Mustang, Wilk will have a specially-designed Ford Shelby body atop his Funny Car at the two October races, in support of the "Big Website Makeover" promotion managed by LRS Web Solutions, a division of Levi, Ray & Shoup.  The car, designed by Canham Graphics in Springfield, Ill. (also home to both LRS and Team Wilkerson), uses the bold starburst style created for the charitable program, and will be nearly impossible to miss at the race track or on television.

LRS Web Solutions instituted the Big Website Makeover program to assist charities in the Central Illinois community, by offering a complete and professional makeover and redesign of the winning charity's website. In the first step of the program, which is now completed, nominations were accepted and a slate of possible winners created. On-line voting for the most deserving charity officially begins, for the general public, on October 17 and will run through October 30, but NHRA fans will be allowed early voting access beginning on October 14, when the car will make its debut at the NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix.

The entire list of nominated charities is available for perusal at LRS.com, by clicking on the Big Website Makeover banner at the top of the LRS home page.

"We've been talking to Dick Levi and all the great folks at LRS about finding a way for us to help them promote different aspects of what Levi, Ray & Shoup does, and the Big Website Makeover promotion for their LRS Web Solutions division was a perfect fit for that," said Tim Wilkerson. "Websites have become the direct connection to the public, especially for charities, and we're honored to help LRS Web Solutions put this into action.

"This is a pretty neat deal they're doing, reaching out and giving back to the community, and it's a perfect example of how much LRS cares about Springfield and Central Illinois. They're good neighbors in our town, and now we want to spread the word from coast to coast and get everyone involved in this. Go to LRS.com, read about the different charities, and decide who you're going to vote for. Once we hit the track on Friday the 14th in Phoenix, everyone can get on there and make their selection. Let's get out the vote and help a good cause."

Shannon Heisler, Senior Manager - Marketing for LRS, was quick to see the value in spreading the promotion of the Big Website Makeover across the country and around the world.

"The LRS Funny Car has always been one of Levi, Ray & Shoup's most visible marketing pieces, and Tim Wilkerson has been a terrific ambassador for our company and for our community," Heisler said. "In these challenging times, it's become increasingly more difficult for charitable organizations to complete their missions, so projects like a current and functional website often have to be sacrificed. A new website can help a non-profit reach their market better, with on-line services, social media integration, and on-line donations. We see this program as a way LRS can utilize its technical expertise to directly help the chosen charity, and we also see it as a great way to give back. It's a good thing we can do, to help good people.

"This year, we thought it would be a great idea to let NHRA fans and Wilk Warriors everywhere get in on the voting. The vote may be centered on Central Illinois charities, but there are Wilkerson fans all over the country, and around the world, so we're excited to spread this out to a much larger group, and we hope fans everywhere will get involved and help LRS Web Solutions make a big difference for a worthy cause." 

Exclusive "early bird" voting for NHRA fans begins on October 14 at LRS.com.   In addition, fans at this weekend's Arizona Nationals in Phoenix can vote in person by visiting LRS Web Solutions reps, who will be present in the Team Wilkerson pit area throughout the race weekend. The winning charity will be announced on November 1.