Navy Military Child of the Year, Jeffrey Burds, was granted the opportunity to ride along with Collete Davis of River Racing before the start of Global Red Bull Rallycross on Marine Corps Air Station New River June 30.
Davis took Burds onto the track for a rare chance to ride in a rallycross car reaching speeds of up to 140 mph at the New River course.
“It was crazy. I don’t think I’ve ever done anything like it,” said Burds. “It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I never thought I’d do that.”
As the Navy Military Child of the Year, Burds has had many unique opportunities including visiting Washington D.C. and meeting congressmen and senators.
“I would have never guessed when my counselor put me in for the award,” said Burds. “I didn’t think anything of it. I went on with my everyday life and then they told me ‘you won.’”
Davis grew up with similar circumstances, enduring the hardships of constant moves and military work schedules.
“I was a military brat myself,” said Davis. “I grew up with my parents in the Army, and we moved all around.”
Being able to relate to Burds, Davis requested to take a military child along for a ride in her GRC Lite car.
“Being able to take people out on the course in a rally car, that have never been in one before, is just awesome,” said Davis. “The look on their face along with all the adrenaline they’re probably experiencing is always fun.”
GRC raced at New River last year and plans to come back in the future, ultimately giving back to the military community and experiencing what the air station has to offer.
“I love this race,” said Davis. “We went here for the first time last year, and it’s really amazing to put on a show for the military and their families.”