Brian Olatunji a 15 year drag racing veteran has competed in a variety of NHRA categories from Super Gas to Top Alcohol Funny Car. 2012 will mark the year Brian O will look to make his mark in IndyCar’s Indy Lights division. In addition to drag racing he has his sights set on the Firestone Freedom 100 (during the Indy 500) and Chevrolet Belle Isle Grand Prix events. “I know competing in the Indy Lights series is an evolutionary step in my racing career. Of course drag racing will always be my first love, but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity I can’t turn down,” says Olatunji.
Champion Spark Plugs has a unique online video contest where contestants are judged on the following three criteria: Inspirational Quality (34%); Relevance to Theme/Best Depiction of a Champion (33%); and number of votes (33%). That’s where the fans come in!
“My team put together an AMAZING video that chronicles our quest for a championship! Your votes will be the driving force to make this dream possible. I need you to vote for my video,” said an energetic Olatunji!
Brian O has ambitions to compete in the Indy Lights events at the Firestone Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, 2012 and the Chevrolet Belle Isle Grand Prix in Detroit on June 3, 2012. In addition he and the Leadfoot Motorsports team are finalizing their NHRA drag racing plans. “My team and I are excited and really looking forward to the challenges of IndyCar and winning races in the NHRA,” stated Olatunji!
For the sixth consecutive year, The Leadfoot Foundation, Inc (501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization) will host the “Driving Excellence” charity event. “Driving Excellence” is the marquee event for the Leadfoot Foundation. During the event school supplies are collected then distributed to youth K-12th grade. “Our goal is to give back to the very community from which I came. After all, it takes a village to raise a child,” stated Brian Olatunji (Olatunji is Chairman and President of the Leadfoot Foundation, Inc). Detroit is prime territory to not only give back but focus on school supplies for youth. Although, Detroit has recently been well documented for trouble with public schools, the Leadfoot Foundation has been making an impact by providing back-to-school essentials for the past five years.
The Leadfoot Foundation enjoys strong partners with Pepsi and the U.S. Army; however it relies on the community to assist in their efforts. “The Driving Excellence charity event is the platform we use to ensure youth have the necessities to perform in the classroom. It is essential for everyone in a position to give, to bring $10 or more in unopened school supplies to the event to assist those in need,” said an emphatic Olatunji.
This year’s event will take place from noon until 5 pm on Saturday, September 17th at the Lighthouse on Belle Isle Park.
The Leadfoot Foundation has assembled a team of volunteers who are enthusiastic about serving each and every young person with school supplies to begin their school year. Olatunji continued, “We have our sights on continuing to grow this event. Ultimately, we want this event to be known as THE SCHOOLS SUPPLIES DRIVE of the City of Detroit. I am adamant about giving back especially given I am a proud Detroiter and a product of Detroit Public Schools!”
In addition to the collection and distribution of school supplies there will be a live DJ, hot rods on display, exotic motorcycles, face painting as well as five new 2012 Chrysler vehicles. Gleaners Community Food Bank has also been gracious to provide snacks for the young people to enjoy. The event provides an opportunity for the community to interact with each other through activities such as a kids station while benefiting with essential back-to-school supplies.
For more details as well as a place to donate, please visit The Leadfoot Foundation’s website at: www.leadfootfoundation.org.
Brian Olatuji’s Press Packet PDF download has been completally revamped. Updated information including a new racing history time line, brand new graphics on every page and tons of high quality never before seen pictures. Download it now at the link below!
On a clear Detroit morning, just one day after the U.S. Army’s 236th birthday, Brian Olatunji took flight with the Golden Knights. It was a long wait for Brian O, who was previously scheduled to jump with the U.S. Army’s Parachute Team last fall until the worst Midwest storm cell in over 30 years kept the plane and Brian O’s skydiving ambitions grounded.
The Golden Knights is the U.S. Army’s official aerial demonstration team. Made up of real Soldiers the team travels around the United States performing demonstrations at major events connecting the Army with the American people. Taking Brian O on his wild ride were members of Team Tandem, who have jumped from a plane with everyone from former president George H. W. Bush to sports stars and actors such as Tiger Woods and Chuck Norris. Ensuring Brian’s enjoyment and safety on his aerial adventure were Airborne Rangers SSG Aaron Figel and SSG Reese Pendleton. After taking off from Selfridge Air Force Base, SSG Figel freefell with Brian O while SSG Pendleton caught all the action on camera. With Lake St. Claire as a backdrop Brian O and the Golden Knights free feel thousands of feet towards Michigan below.
Brian O was thrilled at the opportunity, “Exhilarating is the only way to describe the experience! Certainly something I would do again in a heartbeat! The Golden Knights are the best in the world and their professionalism is second to none. After all, SSG Pendleton hung outside of the aircraft like passenger 57 and was able to capture my enthusiasm and experience while free falling from 14,000 feet above the earth. Awesomeness!!!”
Welcome to the new official website for Brian Olatunji! We’ve added extra browser support for mobile devices, so those of you without Flash will no longer have a problem seeing our site while you’re on the go. We’ve also added an improved blog with an RSS 2.0 Feed so you can get updates immediately if you subscribe. While 99% of the site is up and running, there are few pages that are still being tweaked on, so give us a little time. Those coming soon messages will be gone shortly.
Also be on the lookout for a brand new Brian O Racing press packet which will feature tons of new information and graphics. We’re a couple new pages away from that being up and ready. Brian O and the team will be headed to Milan Dragway this Thursday in preparation for our first race of the year which will be at the largest single day drag race in the world, the Night Under Fire in Norwalk, OH. Keep checking back and we’ll keep you up to date! Better yet, come say hello at one of our events!
Be sure to like Brian O Racing on our new Facebook page! You can follow Brian O on Twitter @BrianORacing.
Brian Olatunji and the Leadfoot Motorsports organization are proud to announce a continuing partnership with the U.S. Army for 2011. Brian O will serve as a “center of influence” and facilitate the U.S. Army in spreading the message about education as well as career opportunities as an Army Strong Soldier.
The partnership began in 2010 with an assault both on and off the race track. Now entering into the second season in tandem with the U.S. Army, Brian O looks to further enhance the Army Strong message and reach even more young people throughout 2011. “One of the great joys of being a professional race car driver is the captive audience I enjoy with young people. This forum gives me a great platform to enlighten young people about pursuing their dreams, however using education as their foundation! (Olatunji is a graduate of Kettering University with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering). Interacting with young people and informing them of career options internally and externally unique to the Army is very gratifying,” said an honored Brian O.
Our Army is built on values, character and commitment which are also cornerstones for a successful motorsports program. Brian O and his race team are elated to have the strongest force behind them as they embark on the 2011 NHRA season. “Our Army Strong Soldiers exhibit strength, fortitude and a willingness to serve at all cost. We are truly blessed to live in a country where so many selflessly serve to allow us freedom. To represent these men and women is one of the highest honors one could receive. My team and I are humbled to partner with our Army,” stated a proud Brian O.
As part of the partnership, Brian O and Leadfoot Motorsports will join the Army’s efforts in reaching young Americans and their influencers about the many education and leadership opportunities available in the Army. The U.S. Army is also a proud supporter of Brian Olatunji’s philanthropic efforts and his personal charity, the Leadfoot Foundation, Inc. For the past five years the 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization has held an annual event to equip under privileged youth in Detroit with back to school essentials. The U.S. Army is extending its presenting partnership during this year’s 6th Annual Leadfoot Foundation Driving Excellence Charity Event. The event will be held at the lighthouse on Belle Isle Park, Detroit, MI on Saturday, September 17, 2011.
Brian Olatunji joins the U.S. Army Racing family which consists of Tony Schumacher, driver of the U.S. Army NHRA Top Fuel dragster, and Antron Brown of Don Schumacher Racing, along with Ryan Newman, who pilots the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series No. 39 U.S. Army Chevy, and Tony Stewart of Stewart-Haas Racing. The Army team of drivers represents more than one million brave Army Strong Soldiers, and give the men and women who serve this country a race team to be proud of. The motorsports program also provides opportunities for the Army to interact with prospects and influencers, and assists recruiters in building an all-volunteer force for our Nation.
