The Annual Top Dog® Motorsports Service Team Championships
A big part of DVEN’s programs is connecting veterans and their families to information and resources through our website. But we also like to get out into our veteran community and connect with veterans on a personal basis to learn first-hand the issues they are facing and how we best can help.
DVEN’s founder, Robert Hess, has had a love of sports cars since his first tour of duty in Germany when he drove his Porsche on the autobahn and competed in local amateur racing. So, it was just natural for him to search for a way for motorsports enthusiasts to join the effort to end veteran suicides. The answer was to create a fun, low-key event where novices and experienced drivers could compete on even terms. The result is the DVEN Top Dog Championships.
The annual Top Dog Championship series provides an opportunity for the motorsports community to engage directly with the veteran and active-duty military communities and their families.
The events are structured so first-time drivers can safely drive on an actual race track. Drivers compete in separate classes based on their driving experience and the type of vehicle they bring, insuring a level “driving field.” [Click the following line to watch video highlights from the 2021 event – 2021 Top Dog Championship Highlights]
Drivers compete both individually and as service teams – Army, Navy, Air Force – you get the picture. Each team has 10-12 drivers who score points based on their times in their particular class. The team with the most points at the end of the day becomes the Top Dog Champion for that year and has their Service name inscribed on the trophy. Drivers who win their class become Top Dogs – (TOPDGZ) – and are awarded a coveted Top Dog mug.
Family and spectators are welcome. Attendance is free.
We began live-streaming the event in 2022 event so that veterans and military families everywhere can root for their team! The full-length streamed video is available on our YouTube site. It’s 10 hours long! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZNiUv7xXvg
By the way, Army took the Top Dog title in 2021 and 2022.
Full details about the program are available on the event website – Rally4Vets.com.
Images from the 2022 Top Dog Championships
The 2023 Top Dog Championship is back at Summit Point Motorsports Park on October 1, 2023. Once again on the fabled Shenandoah Circuit! But this time the course includes the Karrusel.
Spectators and families are welcome. Attendance is free.
Visit our registration site for additional information and to be first in line for one or 80 available grid slots.