TOR-VETM Empowers Disabled Combat Veterans through Motorsports

Combat veterans, on the grid, before the race at the Daytona International Speedway in 2013.
Combat veterans, on the grid, before the race at the Daytona International Speedway in 2013.

Client Pete Cline, founder of Team Ohio Racing / Veterans Empowered Through Motorsports (TOR-VETM), is partnering with two Whalen clients, Oxford Consulting Group and Portfolio Creative, to actively engage and empower disabled combat veterans through their motor sports efforts. The team also has assistance from the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and is supported by 11 other businesses and organizations.

Team Ohio Racing is the first motorsports team to fully integrate disabled veterans into an active race team environment. By working with the Wounded Warrior Project, local alumni-warriors are incorporated into their AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) Pro Racing Harley-Davidson Vance & Hines XR1200 team. Team Ohio Racing delivers respect to the WWP mission by working with WWP-Alumni members, allowing them to focus on their abilities instead of disabilities, and to heal and empower through motorsports.

Oxford Consulting Group partnered with TOR-VETM for two races in 2012 and will again support the organization’s unique program outreach in positively impacting combat veterans in 2013. TOR-VETM recently supported two Harley-Davidson entries at Daytona International Speedway with great success.

“To see these veterans in action as they expertly supported the race teams in 2012 was phenomenal,” said Michelle Kerr, president of Oxford Consulting Group. “To hear about their feelings of accomplishment, confidence and empowerment that resulted was such a rewarding and inspirational experience. We look forward to helping Team Ohio Racing extend this excellent opportunity to other veterans in 2013.”

Cline said that because of Portfolio Creative and Oxford Consulting Group’s direct support, Team Ohio Racing will have a presence in the AMA paddock for the remaining 2013 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson races. To learn more about TOR-VETM, visit the organization’s website at www.tor-vetm.org, or follow them on Facebook, Twitter @TeamOhioRacing or Pinterest.

Oxford Consulting Group, Inc. is a leading information technology (IT) consulting firm and solutions provider that has developed, implemented and supported the technology portfolios of hundreds of companies across North America. Established in 1998 and headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, Oxford Consulting Group has a team of nearly 200 talented, dedicated, creative and customer-focused business and technology professionals. The company’s breadth of solutions range from delivering business to business integration and supply chain management solutions for large enterprises, to IT staffing and placement services, to IT services for small to mid-sized businesses.

Portfolio Creative is a creative staffing and recruiting firm connecting clients with creative talent in all areas of design, marketing, communications and advertising.  It also provides educational resources, payroll and direct hire services. Founded in 2005, the company has been recognized as an Inc. 500 fast growth company and with awards from Staffing Industry Analysts, Columbus CEO magazine, the Columbus Chamber, Enterprising Women magazine, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the American Staffing Association, the Ohio Department of Development and the National Association of Women Business Owners. Co-owners are Catherine-Lang-Cline and Kristen Harris.