CONCORD, N.C. — Dignitaries from the international motorsports have honored lifesaving teen driving program B.R.A.K.E.S (Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Sale) in a special presentation here.
B.R.A.K.E.S. was established in 2008 by multi-time Top Fuel Drag Racing Champion Doug Herbert in honor of his two sons, Jon and James, who lost their lives in a tragic car crash.
Herbert turned that personal tragedy into a lifesaving mission that has trained more than 145,000 teens and their parents to date.
The special donation was made by David Meunier, who competed in the iconic “24 Hours of Le Mans,” as well as hundreds of endurance races and rallies across the globe.
Meunier is founder of AFM Give Me Wings, an Aiken, S.C.-based charitable organization established to honor the memory of his son Anthony, who tragically lost his life in a car crash in 2022. The foundation focuses on teaching young people how to drive safely while providing financial support for grief therapy services to families who have lost a child.
Joining Meunier was “AFM Give Me Wings” Ambassador Simon Pagenaud, winner of the 2019 Indianapolis 500, as well as championship titles in the IndyCar Series, American Le Mans Series and Atlantic Championship. Pagenaud earned “Rookie of the Year” honors in the 2012 IndyCar Series.
“When I learned about B.R.A.K.E.S., I soon realized that Doug Herbert and I not only share a passion and background in motorsports, but a common dedication to educate new drivers become safe behind the wheel,” said Meunier. “We are proud to support Doug and the B.R.A.K.E.S. program in their remarkable efforts to save lives and make U.S. roadways safer.”
Teens who have completed the B.R.A.K.E.S. training are 64 percent less likely to get in a crash within their first three years after completing the B.R.A.K.E.S. program.
“We are deeply honored to receive this generous donation by David, Simon and the AFM Give Me Wings organization,” Herbert stated. “We look forward to a longstanding relationship with this foundation and its shared goal of saving lives across our nation.”