Drag Racing Team Hosts Fundraiser In Little Compton For Upcoming Trip [Video]

On Sunday, June 5, the Helger Bros. Drag Racing Team hosted its annual fundraiser and "shop party" in Little Compton. Proceeds from the event will go toward the team's upcoming trip to the race track in Bowling Green, KY.

According to Ray Helger, owner of the dragsters and , the hobby of drag racing can become somewhat of a money burner without sponsorship, especially when gas prices tend to peak at the beginning of summer.

"We do this ourselves," Helger said. "So every little bit that we can raise for a big trip or to put toward the summer is a huge help."

Helger says that he expects to spend about $1,500 just for fuel to tow one of the dragsters down to Kentucky.

But the kindness of race fans and friends proved strong on Sunday when the team raised a total of $6,200. Helger received an unexpected donation of $1,000 from Steve and Lori Elmslie of in Bristol and Kelly and Dee McMillan of Warren also showed their support by donating $350 that they had won in a 50/50 raffle. 

The crew, comprised of Helger and his twin sons and drivers, Cody and Jesse, along with Crew Chief and former Top Fuel Drag Racer of Warren, and team members Ryan Souza, "JoJo" Silva, and John Griswold will head down to Kentucky in a few weeks.

"I've always said, drag racing brings people together like a really big family, and I can't be more thankful," Helger said.