Racing to End Alzheimer’s returns to where it all began

The first “names” livery made its debut at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 2017

LOS ANGELES (25 September 2023) – For the Racing to End Alzheimer’s team, this weekend’s Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America doubleheader at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca marks a number of milestones – the chance to compete at the legendary Rennsport Reunion and increase its class points lead, and the opportunity to add to a record number of names on the team’s Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car.

The R2EndAlz team also returns to the track which saw the debut of the “names” livery in 2017.

“It’s been a wild ride — and an incredibly rewarding one,” said R2EndAlz founder Phil Frengs. “And it’s all thanks to the generosity of so many family members who have chosen to honor their loved ones by putting their names on the car – and by helping to fund research and raise awareness of this terrible disease.”

The team carries 185 names on the No. 43 Porsche 911 (type 992) Cup Car, driven by Am Class points leader Mark Kvamme, and each of the names reflects the efforts of the R2EndAlz team to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease, while giving families a way to honor their loved ones in a very tangible way – and raising funds for research and treatment (more information at https://www.r2endalz.org). 185 is a new season record for the team, but Frengs has no intention of slowing down now.

“Hitting our best-ever number of names on the car two weeks ago at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was great,” said Frengs. “Now it’s time to turn our attention to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and this incredible event.

“I’ve always had an affinity for this place because of its history in motorsports,” continued Frengs, a Bay Area native. “And now, we will begin a big push to add loved ones’ names before our last two race weekends – this one and the season finale in October at the Formula 1 event at COTA in Austin. Our goal of 200 names is in reach!”

Kvamme won’t be the only driver representing the cause this weekend – longtime Monterey resident Nick Galante will be on hand to act as an ambassador for the cause, one that is very personal (Galante lost both a grandmother and an aunt to Alzheimer’s). Galante plays a significant role in the story of the Racing to End Alzheimer’s program.

In 2006, R2EndAlz founder Phil Frengs played a round of golf at Pebble Beach, with Galante (a tenured professional caddie at Pebble Beach Resorts, working with PGA and LPGA players, tournament celebrities and VIPs) on his bag. Impressed with Galante’s drive and desire to become a race car driver, Frengs’ company Legistics began to sponsor him – and continued to do so as he moved up the racing ladder, from the WRLS’ based Jim Russell Formula Mazda Championship into the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, where he won championship titles in 2016 and 2018.

But the racing program changed dramatically when Frengs’ wife Mimi was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s in 2013. Looking for a way to make a difference for people enduring the terrible disease, Frengs formed R2EndAlz and began the “names” livery, which made its debut at WRLS in 2017.

“The reaction was wonderful,” remembers Galante. “Everyone came together, asking about the car and about the charity. I’d lost my grandmother to Alzheimer’s the year before and I didn’t realize that, at the time, my aunt was suffering from the disease – so it was so near and dear to me.”

When Frengs moved to Kvamme’s MDK Motorsports team in the Carrera Cup series, Galante continued to support R2EndAlz, coming to all the races as an ambassador, speaking with fans and telling his own story– though Racing to End Alzheimer’s backed him in six Canadian Sports Car Championship Canada races this year, with Galante earning podiums in all six races, including three victories.

“I feel as though I owe Phil so much, for everything he and the charity have done for me,” said Galante. “Not just through the racing, but for everything I’ve learned in this care project – and what it means to give back in this world. Kindness seems to be a dying thing, so I’m so grateful and have a duty for everything. There isn’t much you can do to help, but Phil wanted to do something in Mimi’s honor, so he created this charity to make a difference.”

The Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America series will contest two races at Rennsport Reunion 7 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca September 29 – October 1. Race one takes the green flag Sunday at 12:05 p.m. EDT, with race two later in the day at 6:35 p.m EDT. The race will be broadcast live in the U.S., on IMSA.tv, the NBC Peacock streaming app and PorscheCarreraCup.us.