Quinn Christopher to Distribute TC Safety Initiative Items July 24 at Stafford Speedway
(Stafford Springs, CT)—Prior to the beginning of the 2020 racing season, Quinn Christopher, wife of wife of the late Stafford Speedway legend Ted Christopher, established the Ted Christopher Drive for Safety Initiative. The program’s aim was to increase safety awareness among Stafford drivers with any driver who had registered a number to race in 2020 at Stafford eligible to sign up and receive a free nomex undershirt, helmet skirt, or carbonx head sock. Now that the 2020 season has gotten underway, Christopher will distribute the safety items to the 96 drivers who signed up to take part in the program this Friday night, July 24, in Teddy’s usual parking spot in the paddock area right next to the Sunoco fuel truck.
“I didn’t really know what to expect having never done anything like this before,” said Christopher. “I’m so happy with all the drivers who participated in the program and I’m looking forward to handing out the safety gear to everyone. I think it‘s such a nice way to honor Teddy, keep his memory alive, and keep him in people’s minds in a positive way Safety was always very important to Teddy and every time I think of him at the race track, I think of him in his fireproof undershirt with his firesuit tied around his waist. Teddy was always on people telling them they needed to get a fireproof undershirt and things like that. Racing is expensive and I think sometimes it’s easy for drivers to say they’re not going to spend money on safety items but racing is racing and it’s dangerous no matter where you’re competing at or what level you’re competing on. It’s exciting that I get to do this program. My plan is to set up in Teddy’s old pit area around 5:15 to give drivers the opportunity to stop by either just before or right after the driver’s meeting is finished up.”
In addition to receiving a free safety item, all 96 drivers who signed up to participate in the TC Safety Initiative are entered into a drawing for a brand new Leaf Racewear double-layer firesuit. Christopher’s original plan was to hold the drawing during the TC 13 Shoot Out and that is still her plan once the race gets rescheduled on the Stafford calendar.
“My original plan was to hand out the safety equipment at the Sizzler and then hold the drawing during the TC 13 Shoot Out, but Covid-19 changed those plans,” said Christopher. “I’m still planning on holding the drawing during the TC 13 Shoot Out whenever Stafford reschedules that race. Once Teddy got really good and well known, he had a lot of companies wanting him to wear their gear but he always felt like Leaf was a great brand and they’ve been a great partner for me to work with for this program. I can’t thank them enough for all of their help.”
For those competitors who signed up for the program, every piece of safety equipment will carry special embroidery with Teddy’s initials.
“I didn’t want to tell anyone I was going to do the embroidery with Teddy’s initials, I wanted it to be a surprise when I handed everything out,” said Christopher. “I think everything came out looking great and I’m looking forward to giving everyone their safety equipment.”
Drivers who signed up for the TC Safety Initiative can collect their equipment this Friday night in the Stafford paddock area in the parking space that Ted Christopher normally occupied every Friday night just to the right of the Sunoco fuel truck in the paddock area starting at 5:!5pm.
For more information, visit www.staffordspeedway.com, checkout Stafford Speedway on Facebook or Twitter, or contact the track office at 860-684-2783.
Sources: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR