Arizona Outlaws 356 Names Keynote Speaker for ‘High Desert Holiday’
Valkyrie Racing’s Renee Brinkerhoff will talk about her Valkyrie Gives project at Flagstaff gathering, happening Oct. 2-6.
Philanthropist and racer Renee Brinkerhoff of Valkyrie Racing/Valkyrie Gives has been named by the Arizona Outlaws 356 Club as a keynote speaker for their 2019 “High Desert Holiday” gathering, happening October 2-6. During the organization’s awards banquet, Brinkerhoff shared the highlights of her global undertaking of the “Project 356 World Rally Tour” – her personal effort to raise awareness of child trafficking — by embarking on a near 20,000 mile commitment to rally through six races and seven continents where she can spread the word and provide raised funds and support worldwide.
According to David Gill, HDH Co-Chair for the 2019 356 Club event, Brinkerhoff’s determination and commitment to her own vintage 356 and the capabilities her beloved car continues to endure through climate and topographical challenges, offered a unique commonality to share with the more than 350 attending members and 356 owners for their annual meet.
“Renee sparks a desire within all of us to make a mark and stand behind our own beliefs. She has shown the world not only how to succeed as a racer, and a woman, but more so, she has created a platform to voice the devastation of children at risk of exploitation and opened our eyes and hearts to help her make a difference,” said Gill. On behalf of the Arizona Outlaws 356 Club, Gill presented Renee with an oversized check for $1,000 toward her and her Foundation’s goal to defeat child trafficking.
Blending Racing and Social Issues
After beginning her rally career at the age of 57 in 2012, Renee was determined to take on her own self-imposed challenge of completing six endurance races in seven countries – and utilize the world stage of endurance racing as a channel to support charitable efforts. By extending her own personal philanthropic mission on a global level through her dedication to fight child trafficking, a cause she has championed throughout her racing involvement within countries including Mexico, Australia, and Peru, Renee has spoken at orphanages, engaged hundreds of foreign children and provided education to keep children safe.
The charitable effort grew by balancing her rally car competition, Valkyrie Racing, with her own non-profit, Valkyrie Gives. Her determination sought donations and direct financial support to counter child exploitation and human trafficking in poorer parts of the world – and her rallying became a visual means to grow the awareness.
Individual fundraising programs during 2019 alone have raised more than $100,000 and Renee will be continuing to distribute those funds in the form of practical gifts and educational sessions along stops during her upcoming East African Safari Rally in November 2019. Located in Kenya, the East African charities she’ll be supporting are ones that rescue and house at-risk young girls (6-18 years of age), to restore, educate and teach them job skills.
Her recent journey during the Peking to Paris Rally route earlier this summer allowed her to make stops in both China and Russia, providing support and funds.
Through her own personal drive, Renee brings a global perspective to her own enthusiastic vision – along with a dedication to never quit. Her prior rally experience has ranged from earning class victories in the dangerous and highly acclaimed La Carrera Panamericana race which she has participated in for four years in a row, to making history as the ‘only woman-driven team to finish the race’ each year she has partaken. Additionally, her team has podiumed each of the four participating years – winning two first place and two second place victories.
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RENEE BRINKERHOFF RALLY PARTICIPATION
2013: La Carrera Panamericana (2,000-mile Mexican Rally Race started in the 1950s)
- 2nd Woman in history to Win a Class
- 1st Woman to Win a Class in their debut year
- Only woman to finish the race
- Awarded Most Beautiful Race Car
2014: La Carrera Panamericana
- Placed 2nd in Class
- 14th overall finish
- Extremely high attrition of 50%
- The only woman to finish the race
2015: La Carrera Panamericana
- Placed 2nd in Class
- Only woman driver to finish the race
2017: La Carrera Panamericana
- 1st in Class
- Only woman driver to finish the race
2018: Targa Tasmania (2,000-mile Australian Rally Race started in 1992)
- Won the Targa Plate
- Only female driver in competition with over 300 drivers
2018: Caminos del Inca (2,000+ miles in the Andes 10,000-16,000+ feet started in 1966)
- Only classic car in the race out of 80+ modern race-built cars
- One of only two female drivers
- Crossed the finish line
2019: Peking to Paris (June – July 2019)
2019: East African Classic (November 2019)
2020: Antarctica