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Welcome to Tropical
Impression Racing Team's Website!
"Help Us
Help the Kids"
Our Program is Supported by
Donations and Dedication Only!
CLICK HERE
to E-Mail Us.
Tropical Impression Racing was founded by Lt. Tommy Hansen and Tony Munoz in
1997. The team is proud of our affiliation with Beat The Heat, a unique
non-profit organization of Firemen and Law Enforcement Officers from throughout
the world. This unique program uses Drag Racing vehicles set up like pursuit
vehicles. The vehicles are used to educate our youth about a number of areas of
concern such as Drug Abuse, Drinking and Driving, Street Racing and Staying in
School. The program also focuses on the concept of teamwork. The vehicles serve
as excellent tools in helping to knock down the wall, that on many occasions
exist between kids and law enforcement officers, or figures of authority.
 The
car is a 1981 Pontiac Trans AM that was originally seized from a drug dealer. It
later served as a DARE car for Galveston Police Department. In 1997, the car was
donated to Tropical Impression Racing where it began the transition to a drag
racer. The car is powered by a 502 cubic inch GM Performance engine making
approximately 600 hp and 600 ft. lb. of torque. The transmission is an Island
Transmission Turbo 400 with a Trans King 4000 rpm stall converter. This all
travels through a GM 12 bolt rearend with 4.10 gears. The car runs the quarter
mile in 10.8 seconds with 60’ launch times of 1.4 seconds.
GOALS OF
BEAT THE HEAT RACING
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To Educate the youth of our
communities about the issues of illegal drugs and alcohol abuse
-
To Educate everyone to the horrors of
alcohol and drug impaired driving
-
To Promote a better
understanding between Law Enforcement and the Community
-
To Educate the general public about
drag racin and
encourage everyone not to race in the street.
The theme of our
program is "RACING FOR EDUCATION". Three of our four goals state
specifically a goal of some kind of education. Many of the
problems of our society today stem from the fact that many
people are lacking in education. We can only make an attempt
with the adults to get them to use their heads and think before
they do something. However, we CAN get the attention of the
young people and they are very capable of learning. We try to
encourage these young people to STAY IN SCHOOL AND OFF DRUGS AND
ALCOHOL.
The vehicles are also used to help at-risk, less
fortunate and handicapped kids as well as young adults. These special folks are
treated as honorary team members and are given the opportunity to directly
participate in various types of events, from races to parades. The teams also
participate in many events that area dedicated to raising money and awareness
for various organizations such as the Ronald Mc Donald House and the Galveston
County Children’s Advocacy Center.
With our cars we are able to break down some of the barriers
that naturally exist between youth and authority figures. There
are many that we times when youth that would never before have
considered walking up to and talking with a Police Officer will
talk with us because of our "Cool Cars."
BEAT THE HEAT, INC. also offers alternative extra-curricular
activity for those youngsters who may not be able to make the
sports teams in high school. Handicap Drag Racing is a sport in
which ANYONE who can drive can participate on a fair and equal
basis with everyone else. Your only limitation is your own
ability to learn the technique and DO IT!
This sport is also one in which WOMEN can participate and,
indeed, excel in direct competition with men. There are many,
many women who Drag Race and several of them have advanced even
into the VERY elite group of persons who drive the ultimate
machine, the Top Fuel Dragster, at 300 Miles Per Hour.
With the advent of NHRA's new JR. DRAG RACING LEAGUE younger
fans are now able to participate at a very early age (8 years
old).
There are many good racers who are physically impaired and they
are able to participate in this sport using their ability to
drive and their competitive nature. They don't have to race in
their own special class. They race and beat anyone who shows up
in the other lane.
The Tropical Impression Racing Team uses our car to help
at-risk, less fortunate and handicapped children as well as
young adults. These persons are treated as honorary team members
and are given the opportunity to attend and directly participate
in various types of events from races to parades. These kids are
V.I.P.'s.
Participation in the program is a good deal of FUN. We invite
everyone to participate and enjoy the good fun and fellowship.
BEAT THE HEAT, INC. and the Tropical Impression Racing Team is a
not for profit corporation recognized as tax exempt by the State
of Texas and the IRS under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.
All donations are tax-deductible. Our program survives on
donation from members of the community. For more information on
sponsoring our program email us at
TiRacing1@aol.com. |
