Cycle World reader Steve Solberg won the Roland Sands Design Project ConqueRR bike in a final drawing of over 16,000 entries. Solberg purchased his ticket in January on the Ride For Kids website. The raffle was organized by Cycle World magazine and Ride for Kids, and the money raised will benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.
The bike, a 2007 Honda CBR1000RR donated by American Honda, was customized by noted bike builder Roland Sands. The goal was to build a distinctive custom machine that would go like stink on the racetrack. Erion Racing stepped up and built the motor, which should have an extra 30 ponies over a stock CBR's. The brakes and wheels are by Performance Machine, and Chris Wood of AirTrix laid on the distinctive black and gold-leaf paint.
If you think it looks good, you're not alone. Tens of thousands of CW readers saw the bike online as well as in person at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows. Over $84,000 was raised for the PBTF. That's a record number, and it boosts the total Cycle World has raised with these project bikes in the last seven years to over $700,000. If you've given; thanks. If you haven't, it's never too late to start.
The PBTF, with its Ride For Kids fundraising arm is based in Asheville, North Carolina, and has funded brain tumor research to the tune of $34 million since 1984. On May 14, 2008, it announced an additional $6 million grant to its research institute at Duke University. The research facility will use the money—as do the two other PBTF institutes—to develop new treatments for childhood brain tumors and cancers. They also fund scholarships for brain tumor survivors.
Money for the PBTF is raised primarily through Ride For Kids. Dozens of organized rides all over the country allow thousands and thousands of motorcyclists of all types to express their generosity and compassion. You can find out more information about local rides at the Ride For Kids website.