Tinsley Hughes, a longtime African-American NASCAR team owner is utilizing Lowes Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway as a foundation for his efforts to increase minority participation in motorsports. Hughes, founder and owner of BH Motorsports, has fielded cars in NASCAR Winston Cup racing off and on since 1989. Hughes formed the Motorsports Academy as a driver development program for BH Motorsports. The academy gives urban and inner city youth the opportunity to develop skills needed to eventually advance to NASCARs top level as drivers or crew members. When you look at the top three NASCAR series, one thing is very obviousthe lack of diversity, said Hughes. Its not that African Americans or other minorities do not have the desire to drive race cars or pursue a career in motorsports, its that adequate funding is an obstacle. Unlike most stick and ball sports, it takes significant capital in equipment to race. In addition, youre not going to find a race track at your local community park next to the basketball goals and soccer fields, so it takes a serious commitment and effort to race at any level. Hughes recognizes the need for a detailed plan and course of action to help young drivers in their quest to become future NASCAR stars. Participants in his development program gain valuable experience in driving, car set-up and other aspects of motorsports industry. This summer, Hughes Motorsports Academy is fielding two Thunder Roadsters in the popular Summer Shootout Series at Lowes Motor Speedway and at other tracks throughout the Southeast, including Atlanta Motor Speedway. Reggie Primus, a 32-year-old African American from Hartsville, SC, is currently piloting the academys #36 Thunder Roadster while 19-year-old Kyle Beattie of Concord, N.C., handles the #007 entry. As noted, Hughes is no stranger to the NASCAR Winston Cup garage area. Formerly involved as a principle in Mansion Motorsports, drivers such as Mike Skinner, Carl Long, Ron Hornaday Jr. and even three-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Darrell Waltrip have driven Hughes cars. Last October, Hornaday drove a Hughes entry to a second-place finish in the ARCA RE/MAX season finale at Lowes Motor Speedway. Information about BH Motorsports and Hughes Motorsports Academy is available online at www.bhmotorsportsonline.com or by calling (704)335-0770. See the full Press Release on my Racing Schools/Jobs page .(7-30-2003)
