Indianapolis, IN - July 31, 2023 - The Shift Up Now Foundation is excited to announce the launch of its “40 for 40 Campaign,” aimed at raising $40,000 over 40 days, in celebration of Pippa Mann’s 40th birthday on August 11, 2023.
Mann is a trailblazer for gender equality in motorsports. In addition to seven starts at the Indianapolis 500 and winning an Indy Lights race, she was the first female to score points in the World Series by Renault and the first female to run a 230+ mph lap at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. She has competed three times at the 24 Hour Nurburgring, with a win in class.
The British racer took over as CEO of Shift Up Now in 2020, when founder Lynn Kehoe was ready to give the wheel to a new generation of racers. With a goal of taking the organization to the next level, the 501c3 foundation was added in 2023 to live alongside the not-for-profit business.
As Shift Up Now continues to strive for gender equality for female athletes in motorsport, the foundation furthers the mission by accepting tax-deductible gifts, donations and grants. Funds raised from donations are used to award opportunities to racers believed to have the talent and aptitude to succeed in motorsports. This allows these racers access to more competitive equipment, seat time for testing and practice, and resources to help grow their careers.
To join the campaign, race fans and Shift Up Now supporters are invited to make a donation - in $40 increments - from August 1st through September 9th.
When leaders at Lucas Oil heard about the campaign, they got behind the cause as well. The company has been a long-time supporter of talented female athletes in motorsport, including Shift Up Now Athletes Shea Holbrook and Michele Abbate.
Lucas Oil has offered to match the first $5,000 in donations to advance the campaign to its first $10,000.
“I’m thrilled to use my birthday as the kick-off for our first Shift Up Now Foundation fundraising campaign,” said Mann. “I spent years at the Indy 500 competing on small budgets, and the more women I connect with in the motorsports industry, the more I realized that it was time to step up and work to help drive change. I’m passionate about our mission to fund talented female athletes in motorsport, and I’m thrilled that our first fundraising campaign should allow us to write our first sponsorship grants this fall.
“To have Lucas Oil matching the first $5,000 - and becoming the first corporate donor - as we kick off this first campaign is amazing. I want to personally thank Katie Lucas, and Lucas Oil, and I can’t wait to get this campaign started tomorrow on August 1st.”
“We are delighted to be able to support talented female athletes in motorsport like Pippa Mann and the new generation of racers backed by the Shift Up Now Foundation,” said Katie Lucas, Chief Administrative Officer at Lucas Oil. “The campaign aligns with Lucas Oil's deep- rooted commitment to supporting motorsports, which has been such an integral part of our company's history, and Pippa's remarkable journey in advancing gender equality in motorsports is truly inspiring. We feel privileged to contribute to such a meaningful cause and believe in the organization’s mission to provide opportunities and make a lasting impact in the lives of aspiring female racers. We can't wait to kick off this campaign!”
Donations can be made to the Shift Up Now Foundation Inc via the “make a gift” page of the website, www.shiftupnow.com. To pay via check, please contact us at info@shiftupnow.com.
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About Shift Up Now
Founded in 2016 by Lynn Kehoe, Shift Up Now is a collective of female racers working together to provide more opportunity for the industry’s trailblazers. After relaunching in 2020, Shift Up Now operates through a membership format to unite racers and race fans in their support of the mission. Members have access to fan forums, webinars, driver meet-and-greets, garage tours and premiere access to limited-edition merchandise. The organization is currently managed by Pippa Mann, Erin Vogel and Shea Holbrook.
About Lucas Oil
Founded in 1989 by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, Lucas Oil Products was created with the simple philosophy of producing the best lubricants and additives available anywhere. Lucas Oil offers the most diversified range of innovative engine oil, gear oil and additive products refined by years of specialized research, development and testing. The company’s high performance engine oils and gear oils are widely recognized as best-in-class in the automotive, powersports, marine, industrial, outdoor, and motorsports marketplaces. In total, Lucas Oil boasts more than 300 premium products, representing the largest variety of shelf products of any oil company in the United States with a distribution network across 48 different countries.
Lucas Oil’s commitment to motorsports includes long standing support for high profile regional and national racing series, and the distribution of exclusive motorsports content from across the globe via MAVTV, a Lucas Oil owned and operated television network. The company also serves as the exclusive oil and lubricant partner of Monster Jam®, The Dallas Cowboys, the Indianapolis Colts and Lucas Oil Stadium. For more information please visit www.LucasOil.com.