Below is the information on the benefit fund set up to help the Wirt family through these very tough times. I would hope that all fellow racers pitch in as much as they can. Dave Wirt is not only a local racing legend/hero, but he is truly a class act. You would think that after all these years that racing is his life, but he has always made it clear that his family is much more important. He made that clear to me just weeks before this terrible tragedy happened. He's always been there for fellow racers in need of any help in the pits, and beyond. Now it's our turn to return the favor. Please do all that you can to help this family.

Benefit Fund Established For Son, Crew Member of Late Model Driver

Prepared by Doc Lehman

Wooster, OH --- A benefit fund has been established to help the family of Orry Wirt, 15, a crewmember and son of dirt Late Model racer Dave Wirt, who was seriously injured as a passenger in an auto accident on Sunday April 2. Orry has suffered from what is called a brain shear that has resulted in severe injuries to his brain, head and spinal cord. He has remained in a coma and on life-support since being life-flighted to Akron Children’s Hospital following the accident.

Three specialists have assessed Orry and a fourth, a specialist from Atlanta, GA, will offer an assessment this week. Orry remains in a coma on life-support.

Orry Wirt is a freshman at Triway High School and the son of Dave & Angie Wirt of Fredricksburg, OH. He has a sister, Alisha, 18. He also serves as a crewmember on his father’s #991 dirt Late Model team.

Those wishing to contribute to the Orry Wirt & Wirt Family Contribution Fund to help defray expenses may either drop off or send in their contributions at any Chase Bank or Bank One. Please affix the Orry Wirt & Wirt Family Contribution Fund account number to your check or money order. The account number is: 715357711.

Those who wish to contribute and who live outside the area may mail their contributions in to: Chase Bank, att’n: Orry Wirt & Wirt Family Contribution Fund, 141 N. Walnut Street, Wooster, OH 44691. (Include the account number: 715357711)

Orry’s father, Dave, has been a successful dirt Late Model racer for over 30 years with a large fan following and Orry has been an integral part of the crew of the Rocket Chassis/Draime Racing Engines #991 for several years.

Dave, Angie & daughter Alisha have been staying at the Ronald McDonald House at the Akron Children’s Hospital. “The doctors, nurses and staff here at Akron Children’s Hospital have just been absolutely fantastic to us,” commented Dave Wirt. “Some of these nurses, well, I just have to call them our angels. They have done so much not only for Orry but our whole family.”

“I have to thank everyone for the prayers and support. That’s what we need right now. We need a miracle. But we are so grateful to the entire racing community for their prayers and expressions of support.”

Dave Wirt is a father who is experiencing the most traumatic difficulty a parent can ever have thrust upon them, but he has words of advice that needs heeded. “Love your children! Never push them off, always take time with them no matter what! Support and love them!”

“The racing community is our family, too, and we love each and every one of them. That’s why I race, not for the speed, not for the excitement, it’s for the friends we have in racing, the fans, the camaraderie of the drivers and the love and support we all share with one another.”

Cards of support & encouragement can reach Orry Wirt and his family by sending them to: 8378 Hoy Road, Fredricksburg, OH 44627