FAQs
Is there going to be a Boy Scouts of America race car this upcoming season?
Yes. The Boy Scouts of America, along with Dale Coyne Racing, will compete in the entire IZOD IndyCar Series schedule.
Will the BSA car race at Indy?
Yes. The Indianapolis 500 is the cornerstone of the 17-race season.
Why did the Boy Scouts of America pick now to do this?
This year is the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. This coincides with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Centennial Era celebration. The track opened in 1909, a year before the Boy Scouts of America was founded.
Why did the Boy Scouts of America choose this program?
With all of the technology in today’s world, the BSA sees the need to place an emphasis on more than just outdoor activities. Today, the BSA is working to lead America’s youths into the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. IndyCar racing and the interactive programs that will be developed create an exciting, technical, modern-day involvement that opens Scouting to a whole new group of aspiring youths.
What programs will be available to Scouts?
This is the first year of a long-term program. Many new initiatives via electronic social media, webcasting, and interactive racing programs at races and large Scout camps will provide a way to engage youths into this technology platform. A traveling Race Base, along with the 100th Celebration Tour, will kick off next summer, bringing these new initiatives directly to existing Scouts and new members alike.
What is the size of the BSA organization?
There are currently about 2.8 million Scouts, 1.2 million adult leaders, and approximately 300,000 Venturers and leaders. The Scouting alumni in the United States number 50 million strong. This influence makes the Boy Scouts of America the largest youth-serving organization in the country.
What is the cost to the Boy Scouts of America?
This program comes to the BSA at no cost. Funding is provided through the philanthropic efforts of Dale and Gail Coyne. Additionally, funding will be provided by one or more presenting sponsors who wish to be a part of this unique marketing opportunity.
How can companies get involved?
Companies can contact the Dale Coyne Racing marketing company or the Boy Scouts of America to explore this highly visible opportunity to be involved with this historic and wide-reaching program.
Stephen Emerick, Director of Corporate Alliances - stephen.emerick@scouting.org or Eric Moore, Manager of Corporate Alliances - eric.moore@scouting.org
Dale Coyne Racing - dalecoyneracing@aol.com
What are the benefits of getting involved?
Companies will receive signage on all race cars, support equipment, media materials, and merchandise associated with the program. Companies will also be a branding partner with the Boy Scouts of America. “Proud Sponsor” language and a Boy Scout-themed co-promotion are just a few of the benefits of being onboard with the BSA car.
Does a portion of the sponsorships go directly to the Boy Scouts of America?
Yes. A substantial portion of all sponsorship funding goes directly to the Boy Scouts of America.
How will Scouts be directly affected?
Scouts will now have their own car to cheer for every week. IndyCar racing is the ultimate pinewood derby. Many interactive elements will be provided to engage Scouts into learning more about the science of racing. America needs to encourage the youths of today to enter the ever-expanding fields of science and technology. IndyCar racing provides excitement for this targeted age group, helping to provide building blocks to the future.
Can I buy a model of the race car?
Yes. There will be an array of racing merchandise available for the consumer and collector in 2010.
Where and on what types of tracks will the BSA car be racing?
There are 17 races that make up the 2010 season. They include two overseas races in Brazil and Japan, two in Canada, and 13 in the United States. The IndyCar Series is very diverse and competes on several types of race tracks. There are eight oval-track races—in or near Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Indianapolis; Newton, Iowa; Japan; Kansas City, Kansas; Sparta, Kentucky; and Miami. There will be four road-course events: Birmingham, Alabama; Watkins Glen, New York; Lexington, Ohio; and Sonoma, California. There will be four temporary street circuits: Sao Paulo, Brazil; St. Petersburg, Florida; Long Beach, California; and Toronto, Canada. Finally, there will be one airport circuit in Edmonton, Canada. For a full schedule, see
www.dalecoyneracing.com/schedule.html
.
Can our local Scout council get involved?
Plans are under way for local councils to be involved in activities happening during race events. For further information about how to get involved, please contact
eric.moore@scouting.org or stephen.emerick@scouting.org.
Contact Dale Coyne Racing at dalecoyneracing@aol.com.
Is this just for the 100th Anniversary year of 2010?
No. This is a multiyear program and will continue well past the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Boy Scouts of America.
Has the BSA ever done anything like this before?
We have not launched a program as dynamic as this from a national perspective. This program incorporates the excitement of IndyCar racing with the BSA’s desire to engage youth more in the areas of math and science in a more meaningful and relevant way. That is the uniqueness of this program. Many local councils have also had great initiatives. This is the first time a national program with the full backing of the national office in Irving, Texas, and the entire 290 councils have been engaged in a marketing effort of this magnitude. As we enter the second century of Scouting, this is the first step in bringing Scouting into the mainstream of the 21st century. This is truly a great moment in time for the Boy Scouts of America.
How do I learn more about this program?
Contact the Boy Scouts of America at stephen.emerick@scouting.org or Dale Coyne Racing at dalecoyneracing@aol.com. .