Andretti Team To Campaign Pink VWs Raise Cancer Awareness At GRC Season Finale

If the Beetles that are being campaigned by the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team seem a bit pink to you when the season finale races kick off on Oct. 9 in Los Angeles, you are right. They will be as the VW Andretti team join with FAB-U-Wish and The Pink Agenda to help raise breast cancer awareness and to provide treatment options for some who are in need.

Wrapping up its first Red Bull Global Rallycross Manufacturer’s Championship, Volkswagen has added season-ending celebrations at the final races of the season. Tanner Foust, currently points leader in the GRC series, and his teammate Scott Speed, reigning champion, will run their Beetle GRCs dressed in special pink liveries. The unique paint job marks the launch of the 2017 Volkswagen #PinkBeetle.

Special Limited Edition

The #PinkBeetle is a special limited-edition model of the iconic coupe that has been tearing up tracks this season, winning three-quarters of the races, including this past weekend’s qualifiers and final in Seattle. Foust will compete in the No. 34 Rockstar Perfectberry, while Speed will campaign his No. 41 #PinkBeetle Beetle GRC.

Their competition will increase the visibility of The Pink Agency, says Volkswagen. The Pink Agency is a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness and money for breast cancer research and care among young professionals.

“We’ve had a lot of success with our Beetle GRC this season, so it will be fun to mark the end of the season with a fresh coat of paint,” Speed said. “The #PinkBeetle already has lots of eager fans across the VW community, so I’m looking forward to adding some excitement to the launch of this special car with our 560-horsepower version.”

Foust will trade the traditional black and yellow livery for black and pink. The pink-themed car will wear The Pink Agenda’s logo increasing visibility for the organization. “It’s an awesome opportunity to be able to support a great cause like the Pink Agency through our racing,” Foust said. “The Perfectberry Rockstar Beetle GRC will be hard to miss out on the track, and I am looking forward to hopefully put it front and center – at the top of the podium.”

Special Trip To New York

Meantime, VW has provided #PinkBeetle fans with the chance to become the first U.S. owner of the limited-edition car before it hits dealer showrooms next month. The automaker has teamed with Giuliana Rancic’s FAB-U-WISH initiative and The Pink Agency to offer the winning auction bidder the opportunity to fly to New York to attend The Pink Agenda’s Annual Gala on Oct. 13 and to meet Ms. Rancic. Proceeds from an auction that was to wrap up Thursday and that was to be hosted at charitybuzz.com/vwpinkbeetle were to support The Pink Agenda Mission and Ms. Rancic’s FAB-U-WISH initiative. The program grants wishes to young women undergoing breast cancer treatment, in partnership with The Pink Agenda.

“The timing of the launch of the 2017 #PinkBeetle and our Red Bull Global Rallycross finale couldn’t be better. We’re excited to highlight this unique car by racing the striking color on track,” said Michael Andretti, chief executive of Andretti Autosport. “Andretti Autosport has a strong tradition of raising awareness for cancer research, and we’re happy to continue that good work with Volkswagen and Rockstar.”