Supercars figures raise $25,000 for cancer research
Leading figures of the Supercars fraternity have raised nearly $25,000 for the fight against cancer after participating in this month's Tour de Cure.
Alongside Team Sydney boss Jonathon Webb and driver Garry Jacobson, Supercars Head of Motorsport Adrian Burgess began the 900km bike ride on Friday, joining Seven host Mark Beretta's Sunrise team.
Departing from Newcastle, more than 140 cyclists and support crew took part in the 14th Tour de Cure, traveling through the New England region, with the tour due to finish in Coffs Harbour on Thursday.
WATCH: SUPERCARS FIGURES BAND TOGETHER FOR CHARITY TOUR
Cycling through the Hunter Valley on Day 2, the tour began to climb through the Great Dividing Range on Sunday, reaching Scone and Tamworth on Day 3.
Burgess has personally raised more than $24,200 for the Tour de Cure to fund life-saving cancer research, support and prevention projects.
"It's been a humbling experience so far," Burgess told Supercars.com.
"Listening to everyone's stories, everyone on the tour has been touched by cancer in some way or another.
"The work that Tour de Cure has done with financing projects in the fight against cancer is incredible, they have done so many, and I am proud to be a part of it."
Burgess lost his mother to cancer when he was just 20 years old.
Last August, his ex-wife fought a short four-month battle with cancer and passed away, aged just 52.
"We owe it to all those less fortunate than ourselves to do our small part where we can to raise awareness and funds to help fight this," he said.
"I'm honoured to have been accepted to take part in this year’s ride; the middle couple of days have been challenging physically, especially through the Great Dividing Range, but nothing compared to those fighting cancer right now.
"My daughter and I have pledged to do what we can by raising awareness and funds to help support the fight against cancer."
The Tekno squad has partnered with the tour since 2010, with the logo currently spread across the bonnet of Jacobson’s #22 PremiAir Hire entry.
Visiting a local school before their departure from Newcastle, the Signature Tour participants held a session to teach kids about health and cancer prevention.
Touring through regional centres, Tour de Cure will invest back into the communities they visit, donating $10,000 to local cancer support programs and services.
Now in its 14th year, Tour de Cure has raised more than $66 million, funded 554 cancer projects and talked to over 160,000 school children about making healthy lifestyle decisions.
The Repco Supercars Championship field will return to Symmons Plains for the Beaurepaires Tasmania SuperSprint across April 10-11. Tickets are on sale now.
The event will be broadcast live on Foxtel and will be streamed on Kayo.
