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Racer nets $250,000 for children’s hospital at 24 Hours of Le Mans

July 3, 2009

By Jim Feehan

By Jim Feehan
Don Kitch Jr., of Newcastle, has seen a lot in his 30 years of racing, including a dozen years competing at the 24 Hours of Daytona. But he’s quick to point out that his racing at last month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans is the pinnacle of his career.
“In racing, this was certainly my biggest challenge,” he said. “The history of the race and the quality of the drivers you’re sharing the asphalt with was unparalleled.”
Kitch was joined by drivers Joe Foster, of Atlanta, and Patrick Dempsey, of TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” as part of Team Seattle. The team raced a full day and night on an 8.5-mile course near Le Mans, France, June 13-14.
In the past 12 years, Team Seattle has raised more than $3.2 million for the Infant Cardiac Care Unit at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Team Seattle raised $250,000 for Seattle’s Children Hospital at Le Mans, Kitch said.
“That’s a pretty good amount, given the worldwide economic downturn and we still have money pouring in,” he said.
“We’re thrilled by the efforts of Don and Team Seattle in France,” said Aileen Kelly, executive director of Seattle Children’s Hospital Guild Association. “They have given Children’s Hospital increased exposure and they have shown the international racing community what can be done for charity.”
To raise money, the team sold space on the team’s Ferrari 430 GTs.
In April, Kitch, Dempsey and Foster were able to test their Ferrari on a small section of the course known as the Bugati Circuit.
Team Seattle finished ninth in the GT2 classification, and 30th overall after starting 54th in the field.
“The speeds are absolutely incredible,” Kitch said. “You can have no one around you and all of the sudden, two cars are coming up behind you and they don’t hesitate to overtake you.”
Members of Team Seattle, their families and supporters lodged at two chateaus about 10 minutes from the course.
“To have my wife, Donna, and our 7-year-old daughter, Sienna, there meant the world to me,” Kitch said. “Those are memories I will never forget.”
Less than a month after completing the race, Kitch is looking to return to Le Mans in 2010.
Kitch was also effusive in praise of Dempsey’s driving.
“He was brilliant,” Kitch said. “In my 30 years of racing, I’ve run across a lot of celebrity race car drivers and he’s right up there with Paul Newman and Steve McQueen.
“He doesn’t come to the race and parade around in his driver’s suit,” he added. “He comes to compete, and he’s totally committed to racing and he loves the charitable activity of Children’s Hospital.”

Don Kitch Jr., of Newcastle, has seen a lot in his 30 years of racing, including a dozen years competing at the 24 Hours of Daytona. But he’s quick to point out that his racing at last month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans is the pinnacle of his career.

“In racing, this was certainly my biggest challenge,” he said. “The history of the race and the quality of the drivers you’re sharing the asphalt with was unparalleled.”

Team Seattle members (from left) Joe Foster, Patrick Dempsey and Newcastle’s Don Kitch Jr. watch as another team’s car goes through technical inspection leading up to last month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team raised $250,000 for the Infant Cardiac Care Unit at Seattle’s Children’s Hospital. contributed

Team Seattle members (from left) Joe Foster, Patrick Dempsey and Newcastle’s Don Kitch Jr. watch as another team’s car goes through technical inspection leading up to last month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team raised $250,000 for the Infant Cardiac Care Unit at Seattle’s Children’s Hospital. contributed

Kitch was joined by drivers Joe Foster, of Atlanta, and Patrick Dempsey, of TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” as part of Team Seattle. The team raced a full day and night on an 8.5-mile course near Le Mans, France, June 13-14.

In the past 12 years, Team Seattle has raised more than $3.2 million for the Infant Cardiac Care Unit at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Team Seattle raised $250,000 for Seattle’s Children Hospital at Le Mans, Kitch said.

“That’s a pretty good amount, given the worldwide economic downturn and we still have money pouring in,” he said.

“We’re thrilled by the efforts of Don and Team Seattle in France,” said Aileen Kelly, executive director of Seattle Children’s Hospital Guild Association. “They have given Children’s Hospital increased exposure and they have shown the international racing community what can be done for charity.”

To raise money, the team sold space on the team’s Ferrari 430 GTs.

In April, Kitch, Dempsey and Foster were able to test their Ferrari on a small section of the course known as the Bugati Circuit.

Team Seattle finished ninth in the GT2 classification, and 30th overall after starting 54th in the field.

“The speeds are absolutely incredible,” Kitch said. “You can have no one around you and all of the sudden, two cars are coming up behind you and they don’t hesitate to overtake you.”

Members of Team Seattle, their families and supporters lodged at two chateaus about 10 minutes from the course.

“To have my wife, Donna, and our 7-year-old daughter, Sienna, there meant the world to me,” Kitch said. “Those are memories I will never forget.”

Less than a month after completing the race, Kitch is looking to return to Le Mans in 2010.

Kitch was also effusive in praise of Dempsey’s driving.

“He was brilliant,” Kitch said. “In my 30 years of racing, I’ve run across a lot of celebrity race car drivers and he’s right up there with Paul Newman and Steve McQueen.

“He doesn’t come to the race and parade around in his driver’s suit,” he added. “He comes to compete, and he’s totally committed to racing and he loves the charitable activity of Children’s Hospital.”

Written by Jim Feehan · Filed Under Sports 

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