MINI JCW Team Celebrates One-Year Anniversary and New Partnership with Veterans of Operation Iraqi Enduring Freedom
Sebring, Florida -  March 15, 2016

Ready For Year Two
The MINI JCW Team is ready and excited to officially begin it’s second year of racing in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Series. With a late start in 2015, the team worked hard to prepare a winning stable of John Cooper Works MINI Coopers and began its program at the second event of the 2015 season in Sebring, FL. Even after facing multiple setbacks, team principal Luis Perocarpi was excited to finish the year with the team’s first podium finish, 2nd place, at Road Atlanta last September. “This is why we come to race!” Perocarpi exclaimed, “Next season we’ll be on the top step.”  With the long break after the 2016 season opening race at Daytona International Speedway, the MINI JCW Team is better prepared than ever with it’s three MINI entries for Sebring.

Supporting Veterans Through Partnerships
In honor of it’s second season in the CTSC, the MINI JCW Team, worked with Mark Pombo, co-driver of the #37 car, and Army combat veteran who served 8 years, to create a support partnership between the Team and the Veterans of Operation Iraqi Enduring Freedom [VOIEF]. The program, designed to create awareness in the VOIEF, a non-profit organization to help those who have served or continue to serve in operations within the Iraq and Afghanistan regions, will harness the fan loyalty the MINI JCW Team has steadily created in it’s short history. Utilizing various social media campaigns, and prominent on car branding, the MINI JCW Team expects to drive significant fundraising to the VOIEF and it’s programs. Said Luis Perocarpi, “I’m excited to have an opportunity to return something to those who’ve chosen to serve our country;  they put so much on the line, and in exchange we get to follow our passion for racing. We are excited to host the VOIEF's Garrett Goodwin, Tim Taylor, James Razor and Daniel McTeague for the 12 Hours of Sebring weekend. They will have insider access to the Team before, during and after the race."

“We are honored by the generous commitment the MINI JCW Team has given to VOIEF; it means a lot to us and, more importantly, to veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq who turn to our organization for the safe haven that they are owed,” VOIEF Founder and National Director Kurt Schwab said. “Mark Pombo is a champion and a veteran who demonstrates all the qualities of selflessness, courage and passion that VOIEF and its members stand for, and we look forward to a very successful racing season for him and his team.”

Donations supporting the VOIEF can be made at http://www.voief.org.

About the MINI JCW Team
The MINI JCW Team, operated by LAP Motorsports, drives the John Cooper Works Hardtop 2 Door–the most powerful MINI ever built in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge. Headquartered in Brownsburg, Indiana, the three car lineup lives up the motto ‘Defy Labels’ as it takes on competitor manufacturers typically associated with high-performance over value. Utilizing unique marketing strategies, the MINI JCW Team provides exciting motorsports experiences for fans and partners alike as they promote North American sports car racing while consistently out performing industry expectations. For additional information please visit minijcwteam.com or email mike@minijcwteam.com.

About the Veterans of Operation Iraqi Enduring Freedom [VOIEF]
The VOIEF provides aid and support to veterans of the recent conflicts and their families, especially those veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other hidden ailments caused by war. The organization was founded in 2009 by Kurt Schwab, an 18 year military veteran whose challenges after returning home to civilian life inspired him to start VOIEF.

VOIEF is dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and their families by providing shelter, food, job training, education and other needs not currently being provided. The services offered by VOIEF are completely free and are funded by donations and sponsorships. Donations supporting the VOIEF can be made at http://www.voief.org. Contact info@voief.org for additional information.