Help Fuel the Mission — VALOR Racing Team

Racing with Resilience

My name is Sean Clifton. I'm a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret, Purple Heart recipient, and the founder and Team Manager of VALOR Racing Team.

After being critically wounded in Afghanistan in 2009, I spent years navigating the challenges of physical recovery, emotional healing, and rediscovering purpose beyond military service.

Through my own journey, I've come to understand something incredibly important: Healing doesn't happen in isolation. It happens through connection, shared experiences, meaningful challenges, and the support of others.

That's part of why VALOR Racing Team exists.

More Than a Racing Team

VALOR Racing Team is a veteran-founded cycling and wellness organization based in Ohio, bringing together veterans, adaptive athletes, families, and civilian supporters through mountain biking, BMX, outdoor recreation, and community engagement.

Our mission goes far beyond racing.

We believe physical activity and meaningful human connection can positively influence mental health, build resilience, restore confidence, and create a renewed sense of belonging.

For many veterans, the transition from military service can mean losing the camaraderie, teamwork, identity, and sense of purpose that once defined their lives. For those navigating physical injuries, disabilities, or emotional challenges, finding opportunities to reconnect can be especially meaningful.

We use cycling as a vehicle to create those opportunities.

Whether someone is racing down a mountain bike trail, learning to ride for the first time, participating in adaptive recreation, or simply spending time with others who understand their experiences, everyone has a place in our community.

You don't have to race to belong.

What We Do

Through VALOR Racing Team, we help create opportunities for:

- Mountain Bike & BMX Racing: Building confidence, teamwork, and resilience through athletic participation and shared challenges.

- Adaptive Recreation: Supporting athletes with disabilities and helping expand opportunities for meaningful participation.

- Wheels & Wellness Events: Bringing people together through physical activity, conversation, peer connection, and holistic wellness.

- Five-Day V.A.L.O.R. Training Series: An ongoing program offering structured opportunities for skills development, mentorship, recreation, and community engagement.

- Veteran & Community Outreach: Working alongside organizations and community partners to connect more people with opportunities, resources, and supportive relationships.

Our philosophy is simple: Stronger together, on and off the bike.

Help Us Reach Our First $5,000 Goal

As a growing, grassroots racing and wellness team, we rely on business sponsorships, community partnerships, and individual supporters to help sustain and expand our activities.

Our initial fundraising goal is $5,000, which will help us support:

- Training opportunities and equipment

- Adaptive athlete participation and accessibility

- Mountain bike, BMX, and community wellness events

- Veteran outreach and engagement

- Essential resources needed to sustain and grow our programs

Every contribution, regardless of size, helps us build opportunities for people to connect, participate, and experience the positive impact of an active, supportive community.

You Don't Have to Race to Make a Difference

Perhaps you're a veteran looking for connection. Maybe you're an adaptive athlete seeking new opportunities. Perhaps you're a family member, a business owner, a cycling enthusiast, or simply someone who believes in helping others.

There's a place for you in this mission.

You can support us by contributing financially, sharing our story, introducing us to potential sponsors, volunteering, or joining us at an event.

Because sometimes the most meaningful victories have nothing to do with crossing a finish line.

They're found in the friendships we build, the challenges we overcome together, and the moments when someone discovers they aren't alone.

Thank you for believing in what we're building and for helping us continue moving forward.

VALOR Racing Team — Racing with Resilience.

Learn more by clicking here : www.ValorRacingTeam.org

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VALOR Racing Team operates as an Ohio limited liability company (LLC), not a tax-exempt charitable nonprofit. Contributions support our team activities and programs and are not tax-deductible charitable donations.