Two-time WPRA world champion barrel racer Kelly Kaminski of Bellville, Texas, and national circuit finals qualifier Laura Lambert of Wiggins, Colo., are teaming together in September for an 8-day, 14 city, 2,200 mile interactive road rally competition known as the FIREBALL RUN. It is an interactive journey, a rolling scavenger huntacross America. The only “Race” is the Race to RecoverAmerica’s Missing Children.
The Race to Recover America’s Missing Children is the largest active recovery effort for missing and exploited children in the country. Each team is assigned a missing child from their home region along with thousands of posters to distribute along the route. A decal featuring the child is affixed to the vehicle, creating a rolling awareness campaign. To date, the effort has assisted in the recovery of 38 missing children.
“We are excited to partner with the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame on this exciting event that will be featuring women in professional sports as part of “The Year Girls Rule” theme,” said WPRA President Jimmie Munroe. “Not only will this event bring national attention to the sport of barrel racing and rodeo in general, but to our great sponsors like the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.”
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame logo will be proudly displayed on both sides of the vehicle and the ladies will distribute information on behalf of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame to all the fans in the Northeast.
As Munroe stated, the 2012 FIREBALL RUN features women in professional sports as part of the notable cast making up “The Year Girls Rule.” Kaminski and Lambert will be competing against Tarah Mikacich, a pro wakeboard champion; Tina Stull, NHRA Super Comp Dragster Driver; Timber Tina, Lumber Jill World Champion from CBS’s Survivor and ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover; Shea Holbrook, Long Beach Grand Prix winner, as well as an additional 35 teams made up of convention and visitor bureau members, civic leaders, etc.
The participants must solve clues and complete missions in order to successfully navigate the roadways and score points – all while aiding in the Race to Recovery of America’s Missing Children. It takes more brainpower than horse power to win this part rally, part game, part cause. The teams and their sponsors are the moving pieces and America is the game board. The production, filmed by Universal Studios Florida, expertly captures the essence, magnitude, and thrill of the adventure and takes the audience on an emotional ride of a lifetime, all the while raising awareness that aids in the recovery of missing children and more familiarity with each teams walk of life.
“This is an exciting opportunity to partner with the WPRA and bring added attention to women’s professional rodeo, the Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and to the issue of missing children,” said Craig Schaefer, Associate Executive Director of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. “We are looking forward to following Kelly and Laura in this rally across the Northeast.”
The Fireball Run is an 8-day, 14 city (this includes the lunch stop cities and night stop cities), 2,200 mile interactive road rally that will make overnight stops in:
Independence, Ohio – check-in on Sept. 21; Official Green Flag kick-off party on Sept. 22 and with official start of race on Sept. 23
Jamestown, N.Y. – Sept. 23 arrive and depart on Sept. 24
Wellsboro, Pa. – Sept. 24 arrive and depart on Sept. 25
Watertown, N.Y. – Sept. 25 arrive and depart on Sept. 26
Schenectady, N.Y. – Sept. 26 arrive and depart on Sept. 27
Waterbury, CT – Sept. 27 arrive and depart on Sept. 28
Ogunquit, ME – Sept. 28 arrive and depart on Sept. 29
Bangor, ME – arrive Sept. 29 – Race Ends
Fans nationwide will be able to watch LIVE at http://www.wpra.com/ and help the ladies solve the clues through the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Facebook page and the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Facebook page, so be sure to “Like” both pages to stay up-to-date with all the latest news and information on this race and help “The Cowgirls” find the team’s missing child.
Women’s Professional Rodeo Association
The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) is the oldest women’s sports organization in the country. The Association started in 1948 with a group of Texas ranch women who wanted to add a little color and femininity to the rough-and-tumble sport of rodeo. A major move at the time, 38 women met in a hotel in San Angelo, Texas, on February 28, 1948, to change the way they were being treated in the male-dominated world of rodeo. These women banded together to create the very first professional sports association created solely for women by women – the Girls Rodeo Association (GRA).
The GRA began with 74 original members with 60 approved contests with a total payout of $29,000. In 1981, the GRA changed its name to the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA). Today, it is a computerized association with more than 2,800 members and over 1,200 events with a total payout of over $4.8 million.
The WPRA provides opportunities for women across the United States and Canada a chance to compete in the timed events of barrel racing, team roping, breakaway roping, and tie-down roping. For more information on the WPRA and a list of events visit www.wpra.com.
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is the only museum in the world dedicated to honoring and celebrating women, past and present, whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience, and independence that helped shape the American West, and fosters an appreciation of the ideals and spirit of self-reliance they inspire. It is the legacy of legends.
Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., admission is just $5 in honor of the Museum’s 10th anniversary. Children ages 3 and under are free, and group rates docent tours are available.
For more information about the Museum, please contact Craig Schaefer, Associate Executive Director of Membership, Marketing and Development at (817) 509-8664 or [email protected] or visit www.cowgirl.net.
