VIDEO: Hear from Kyle Petty and Palm Springs Mayor Rob Moon commemorate April 30 in Palm Springs.
But the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America began April 30 in Palm Springs.
Riders and their fabulous bikes gathered in the parking lot of the Riviera Palm Springs led by the charity ride founder and former NASCAR driver Petty, whose last name reminds you that this is a family in constant motion.
Petty took time out to answer a few questions from Palm Springs Life.
You've been involved with Ride Across America for 22 years. What experiences do you enjoy the most?
Petty: “Experiences like this one right here (points to crowd). We've been in Palm Springs since Wednesday (April 28), and the local people have come out to talk about motorcycles and racing. We have such a great group of riders, but the local people and fans who come out. That's the cool part.”
Riders make approximately four pit stops a day. Do the riders come across any unique interactions with others during the pit stops?
Petty: “We have (legendary NFL player) Herschel Walker with us. Until you take him into a town, you have no idea there are that many Georgia grads — he went to the University of Georgia. There are Georgia flags flying in every town we pass through. They're waving them for Herschel! And sometimes my dad (legendary NASCAR driver, Richard Petty) joins us and we'll meet up with someone who met my dad on a vacation to Daytona when they were 8 years old and took a picture with him, and now they're 40 or 50, and seeing him again. It's very special.”
You were literally born into the sport of NASCAR racing. What do you think explains the unique bond that NASCAR fans have with the sport? Are you optimistic about the future of racing?
Petty: “Very optimistic about the future. There are a lot of good drivers and talent. The fans are coming back to the sport. As for a unique bond? I see it like this. Everyone can drive a car. When someone sees the drivers, they don't see a distance between them and themselves… They say, ‘I might (be able to do) that too.” And it's true, they might.”
Visit www.kylepettycharityride.com for more information on the ride.
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Cyclists park their ride in the parking lot of the Riviera Palm Springs prior to departure.
Kids participating in the ride took center stage April 30, signing autographs and conducting interviews.
Decked out with an oversized bottle, this Coke-cycle is ready for the trip.
Kyle Petty made time to post for photos with fans.
Kyle Petty says the cool nights and possibility of confronting rain are the biggest obstacles during the seven-day ride.
Clearly the kids are impressed.