Yunick Foundation: Smokey Yunick’s family announced the formation of a non-profit foundation that will support automotive and motorsport innovation through grants and scholarships. They have named the foundation after one of Smokey’s favorite phrases: “it didn’t say you couldn’t.” Smokey applied this phrase to racing rule books, but also to everything he did. He took nothing for granted and looked to solve problems in ways that most people would never contemplate. It was said about him that, “he didn’t just think outside the box, he was on another planet.” It is this spirit of unlimited exploration and innovation that the Smokey Yunick – It Didn’t Say You Couldn’t Foundation will seek to foster. Two performance businesses have already signed on as inaugural sponsors of the Foundation. Performance Racing Industry, the voice of the racing marketplace, has committed to provide funding as well as raffle a special Collector’s Edition of Smokey’s autobiography, that will be signed by over 200 racing personalities, at its annual trade show in December, 2002. Automotive Racing Products (ARP), the premier racing fastener company for whom Smokey was a long-time spokesperson, has also signed on as an inaugural sponsor. The first grant or scholarship will be announced and presented at the Smokey Yunick Roundtable at the PRI Trade Show in December, 2002. Additional information will be posted in the NEWS section of Smokey’s web site at SmokeyYunick.com.(4-23-2002)
