OUR STORY

RFH’s Founder, retired US Army Special Forces CW3, Mike Evock returned home to Clinton County a few years into his retirement from the United States Army and afterward he realized the best way to manage the effects of his Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Brain Disorder (PTSD) was through auto racing.  Finding success and an active solution for his personal challenges, he moved his vision to provide the same “alternative therapy” to other Veterans within the North-Central Pennsylvania area.  What he found to be even more helpful than racing, was the purpose it provided and the camaraderie among his fellow Veterans.  That fact was reinforced as he invited more of his former colleagues to participate in this great new endeavor.  Many of Evock's fellow Veterans have found some level of recovery through racing too, which is both rewarding and inspiring.  Motorsports not only provides an outlet for Veterans suffering from PTSD, it also has the potential to save lives.

On September 12, 2014, the Wall Street Journal reported on the potential of alternative therapies in treatment of PTSD and TBI.  These alternative therapies include yoga, oxygen therapy, dance, scuba diving, among others.  The article pointed out that although the therapies seem “far fetched” to some, Veterans who have benefited and program advocates are pressuring the Veterans Administration to  “expand the range of treatments for those who can’t find relief in the standard regimen of drugs and talk therapy.”  Many warriors only find their way on the path to recovery with other warriors.  In doing so, they create a mutually beneficial relationship.  It’s not just about racing cars, it’s about connecting with a purpose and saving lives.

In May of 2014, Racing For Heroes Raceway opened the gates for a Memorial Day Race.  By the end of the season, more than 40 Veterans and 23 spouses were honored at races throughout the year. Throughout the season, we honored Veterans from every branch of service and from every period for service beginning with World War II.  An honorary lap, a plaque, and flowers brought many tears to the eyes of those men and women who proudly served.  In addition, we honored the work of Soldier’s Angels, Military Moms, and Patriot 365 along the way.

Being armed with this first-hand experience, seeing that racing brings people together, and helps with the healing process for Veterans being faced with a multitude of challenges, Mike Evock decided to refocus the Racing For Heroes mission to become a national, and potentially global organization.  Racing For Heroes has morphed into an organization that uses the interaction, excitement, adrenaline and community from racing, and correlates that with the same type of environment that is the commonality between all eras and branches of service.  We do this by hosting events, participating in competition and social gatherings focused around motorsports.  Our current competition reach is focused within the Eastern half of the United States, with an auxiliary community in and around Southern California.  Throughout our vast network of our racing and Veteran families, we are growing our presence within Texas, and other regions throughout the country.
Board of Directors
Founder & Chairman of the Board:
Mike Evock, CW3, US Army Special Forces (ret.)
Member of the Board
Richard W. Camp, M.D., Former SFC US Army Special Forces
Member of the Board
Eric Ditty, Former CPL US Army
Member of the Board
Nick Rabenau, Former SSG US Army Special Forces
Leadership Council
Leadership Council Member
Kurt Cook, MAJ US Army Special Forces (ret.)
Leadership Council Member
Drew Schiemel, M.D., Captain US Navy Medical Corps (ret.) 
Leadership Council Member
Yuval Neria, Ph.D., Former Israeli Army, Medal of Valor - Israel 
Leadership Council Member
David Lemay, M.D.
Staff
Executive Director
Brett Morash, Ph.D., LCDR, US Navy (ret.)
Chief Operations Officer:
Darren Mix, Former FC1(SW) US Navy