The final round of the Independent Race Series for 2010 was held at Eastern Creek on the weekend, and the drivers weren't the only ones to do some winning. As part of our ongoing recognition of the awesome work our volunteer officials do, iRace was able to reward three lucky officials from the meeting.

Stu Inwood, our very dedicated scrutineer, won a Fastrack V8 Super Drive and Ride. Experience V8 Racing / Driving at its best, with the best, you and a professional race car driver behind the wheel of a V8 Race Car You Drive for 6 (NSW-SA) or 8 (VIC-WA) heart-racing laps. Then be taken for 3 thrilling Hot Laps as a passenger with your pro race car driver.

The Gurney Racing team, in conjunction with R&A Mowers, provided two fantastic lawnmowers, which were won by: Paul Brissington, Turn 2 Flag Marshall, and Mick Harvey, Fire Marshall.

With the cold and windy conditions experienced at Eastern Creek, every single official was deserving of our recognition, and we're very grateful to Fastrack and R&A Mowers to be able to offer these prizes as part of that recognition.

If you'd like to find out more about becoming a volunteer official with the Independent Race Series, click here.

Super Hoist Plus Production Racing Cars competitor Gerry Murphy will carry the Day of Difference (DoD) logo on the bonnet of his MoComm Racing HSV GTS in an effort to raise awareness about the vital work undertaken by this important charity.

The charity was founded in November 2004 by the parents of little Sophie Delezio who suffered unimaginable burns to 85% of her body in a terrible accident at her child care centre. Thanks to the skill and dedication of hospital staff, Sophie survived.

But there are many more children like Sophie, who suffer critical injuries and need our help. On average, 68,000 children aged 0-14 years are admitted to children’s hospitals due to injury.

That’s 186 per day and 8 every single hour.

Driver Gerry Murphy said “Sophie’s situation was the catalyst for us getting involved with DoD. I just wanted to do something to help her and the hundreds of kids like her. If our involvement can assist to raise the profile or prompt someone to donate, then I feel we have helped in some small way.”

The Day of Difference Foundation
The Day of Difference Foundation is a national children’s charity dedicated to working for critically injured children and their families across Australia, by supporting them on the life changing journey from Intensive Care through to recovery.

The mission of the charity is to offer family support, hospital resources, access to communications and accommodation, community engagement and education in the acceptance of difference.

The Family Support Program
The lives of families where children have been critically injured are often changed forever. The psycho social impact of the trauma they face is well documented in research and for some, it is lifelong and something from which they may never recover.

The Day of Difference Foundation aims to practically address the issues these families face through a new program called the Family Support Program; following the principles of family centred care. We believe this program will result in fewer hospital delinquencies and translate to cost savings in the overall heatlhcare of the family.

The final round for 2010 of the Independent Race Series will be held at Eastern Creek, 16 October. Find out more at the official website: www.irace.net.au

For more information on the Day of Difference Foundation, visit: www.dayofdifference.org.au

iRace is a great community of racers, but we couldn't go racing without the fantastic volunteer officials. These guys spend their spare time standing out in all sorts of weather to help make our racing possible. We like to show our thanks whenever we can, and not a trophy presentation goes by without the officials being thanked in a number of speeches. And as we have done in the past, we are now able to offer a little more recognition to our officials.

Thanks to the Gurney family, and Blue Hills Farm Retreat, one randomly selected official will win a fantastic weekend for two at the Blue Hills Farm Retreat, located in the Blue Mountains, near Lithgow.

Situated in the heart of historic Hartley Vale, Blue Hills Farm Retreat offers relaxing country charm for both couples and families providing an ambient, romantic and cosy place to unwind and relax. Surrounded by native Australian bushlands with wild life a plenty, breathtaking mountain escarpments and glorious sunsets, this is a special place.

And thanks to Fastrack, another randomly selected official will win a V8 Super Drive and Ride.

Experience V8 Racing / Driving at its best, with the best, you and a professional race car driver behind the wheel of a V8 Race Car You Drive for 6 (NSW-SA) or 8 (VIC-WA) heart-racing laps. Then be taken for 3 thrilling Hot Laps as a passenger with your pro race car driver.

A huge thank you to our fantastic supporters for helping us recognise the efforts of our volunteer officials! We will have similar rewards on offer for our final round for 2010 at Eastern Creek in October, check out the details closer to the event.

If you are interested in being an official at one of our events, please check out the info and get in touch.