Racing is a family affair

Cousins raising awareness for childhood disease

By Brandon Veale

ESCANABA - Most race drivers are more than happy to talk about the logo on their hood because they know it's connected to a check that supports their team.

Scott and Dan Beauchamp of Bark River want to talk about the logo on their Stock Truck's hood this weekend at the Island Resort and Casino and Boss Snowplow Off-Road Shootout because it's connected to their life.

The Beauchamps will use their trucks' paint schemes to build awareness for Prader-Willi Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that Scott's son Luke was born with about two years ago.

"It's kind of a shock. It's like, 'Why me?,' kind of, until you get to understand the whole aspect of the syndrome. It just caught everybody off-guard," Scott said.

Prader-Willi Syndrome is caused by seven missing genes on the 15th chromosome. Typical symptoms include insatiable appetite, due to the missing genes' role in controlling the hypothalamus gland, as well as lethargy and lack of muscle tone. It affects roughly 1 in 12,000 children nationally.

As soon as Luke was born July 16, 2006, the Beauchamps knew something was wrong.

"He was not moving at all. The doctors basically immediately took him into the intensive care unit, so for the first couple of hours, we didn't even get to see him," Scott said.

In the midst of this family crisis, Scott's wife Tammy was adamant that he continue racing. He flew back from Ann Arbor to race in the second Bark River event of that season.

"Of course, your mind is always with your family and especially your newborn child. At that point, we were so close to winning the championship," he said.

After the Crandon, Wis., races Labor Day Weekend, Beauchamp finished second for the season, three points out of the lead, but his disappointment was dulled by knowing that Luke was finally coming home.

At 2, Luke doesn't exhibit the appetite problems commonly associated with the disease yet. He walks around and talks, but his diminished muscle tone means he's not as stable as most kids, nor does he have as many words in his vocabulary (right now he's at about 20-25).

Scott said they've decided to be very proactive with Luke's treatment, including human growth hormone. Their doctors have said he's doing exceptionally for a child his age with the disease.

"We, as parents, feel that we're very strong parents as far as making him learn everything we can help him with," Scott said. "With the University of Michigan behind us, we decided very early to put him on growth hormone."

In some cases, kids with Prader-Willi have graduate from high school and go on to college.

Scott said they just want to make race fans aware of the disease and to help out the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association, which has helped their family cope with the impact of Luke's disease.

If the last two rounds of the World Series of Off-Road Racing are any indication, the trucks should be near the front. Two weeks ago at Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway, Scott passed Dan in the closing laps to win the second of two weekend races.

"It's like, 'aww, man, it would have been nice for Dan to win,' but I'm not going to give him the win if I can help it," he said.

Scott stands atop the Stock Truck standings going into this weekend's races. After returning to last year's truck set-up, he's pushed to the front of the field.

"We've got a little wind in our sails and our team is definitely ready to finish the season in style," he said.

Racing at Bark River International Raceway begins with practice Friday from 5-7 p.m. and again from 9-10:30 both Saturday and Sunday. Races begin at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Friday's practice will be followed by the finals of the Bark River Lions' Club's Big and Rich Karaoke Contest. A $5 admission will be charged for the Friday festivities, which goes to benefit Bay Cliff Health Camp.