The Marine Corps Wins the 3rd Annual Top Dog Motorsports Competition for Veteran Suicide Prevention

The final scores are tallied and the Marine Corps has captured the coveted Top Dog honors at the 3rd Annual Top Dog Motorsports Championships

SUMMIT POINT MOTORSPORT PARK, WV – The roar of engines and a spirit of friendly competition permeated Summit Point Motorsports Park on October 1, 2023, as 60 drivers, representing America’s military services, competed for Top Dog Honors and to reduce veteran suicide, during the 3rd Annual Top Dog Championships.

The day concluded with the Marine Corps teams coming from behind in the last hour of the race to win the coveted trophy, after coming in a close second to the Army in the 2021 and 2022.

A unique and spirited event, the event witnessed 60 valiant drivers, both veterans and active-duty service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force, fiercely, but amicably ,contend to snag Top Dog honors in various car classes and achieve overall Top Dog accolades for their respective services.

This highly-anticipated event, emblematic of camaraderie and the indomitable spirit of our servicemen and women, is renowned as the only car racing event where drivers compete both individually as representatives of military service teams. The atmosphere was electric, particularly given the Army's back-to-back victories in both 2021 and 2022, which set an adrenaline-pumped stage for other services to vie for the coveted Top Dog Trophy.

The Top Dog Championships, organized by the Disabled Veteran Empowerment Network (DVEN) and Rally4Vets, present a distinctive race format, where drivers not only compete individually but also rally as cohesive service teams.

The race format, a ‘trackcross’ – a time trial with cars running separately at 30-second intervals, ensures drivers, regardless of their skill level or the caliber of their car, compete in classes according to the capabilities of their car and their individual driving experience. Maintaining a 30-second interval between racers produced pulse-pounding excitement throughout the day.

Reflecting on the event, Robert Hess, DVEN and Rally4Vets CEO, extended his heartfelt gratitude: "I want to thank the sponsors, volunteers, staff, and drivers who came together at this year's event. Our mission is reducing veteran suicide, and the Top Dog Championships are a key event in bringing the military community together and sharing resources that can help veterans under stress."

Furthermore, Rally4Vets presents an extraordinary opportunity for sponsors and donors, to drive their track-ready C6 Corvette and experience the adrenaline rush that comes with driving on the track. Said Hess, "We chose a Corvette for our experiential car because it is “America’s sports car” and what better car to support America’s disabled veteran community."

DVEN/Rally4Vets created the Top Dog Championships to leverage the sense of community around motorsports.

Social Connection: Engaging in motorsports events and activities enables veterans to connect with a community that shares similar interests and experiences, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding.

Shared Experience: The camaraderie developed among participants mirrors the brotherhood experienced during military service, providing a supportive environment where veterans can share experiences openly.

"Almost 20 veterans take their own lives every day but it doesn’t need to be that way. These men and women put themselves in harm’s way for us. The Top Dog Championships offer a unique opportunity to support veterans in distress and engage with America’s 12+ million veteran community."

Looking ahead, the engines of anticipation are already revving for the 4th Annual Top Dog Championships, slated again for October 2024 at Summit Point. Sponsors can contact Rally4Vets to lock-in sponsorship and engagement opportunities.

Companies interested in being part of the 2024 Top Dog Championships can find event information at www.Rally4Vets.com and follow Rally4Vets on their Instagram and YouTube channels.

About Rally4Vets

Rally4Vets is an initiative of the Disabled Veteran Empowerment Network (DVEN - https://dven.org/). Rally4Vets is dedicated to crafting motorsport events that elevate awareness regarding veteran issues, simultaneously generating resources to bolster crucial veteran programs.

Founded and led by Robert Hess, a staunch advocate for disabled veterans, Rally4Vets continues to create impactful interventions in the motorsport arena. To connect with Mr. Hess, interested parties may visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertwarrenhess.

Detailed information about Rally4Vets, including upcoming events and sponsorship opportunities, can be accessed at www.rally4vets.com. Their repertoire of events encompasses trackcross, road rallies, and car meetups.

For those marking their calendars, Rally4Vets announces its 4th inaugural Top Dog Championships will be back at Summit Point Motorsports Park on October 12, 2024. The event promises to be another hard-fought battle between America’s armed services for the coveted Top Dog Trophy.

For additional information and inquiries, reach out to: robert@rally4vets.com.

The Disabled Veteran Empowerment Network and Rally4Vets work hand-in-hand to reduce veteran suicide, providing resources and organizing events that foster a sense of community, support, and empowerment among veterans and active-duty military personnel.

Media Contact:

Robert Hess

Info@Rally4Vets.com