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who was the president of IHRA at the time . The ministry started with a 30-minute service at IHRA national events . At its largest , the organization included 39 chaplains and 36 volunteers .
Before the PDRA officially launched in 2014 , then-series director Bob Harris reached out to Bingham to first get her involved in the race control department as a computer operator . As a longtime racer and
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series official , Bingham was wellversed with the Compulink system , but she initially wasn ’ t interested in the position .
“ Bob called me when they were beginning the PDRA to ask me if I would run the computer , and I told him no ,” Bingham remembers . “ He called me three times and I told him no every time . On the fourth time , I ’ m like , ‘ OK , God , what are you up to ?’ While we were having that discussion , I
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was telling him , yes , I would work for the PDRA as a computer operator , and he said , ‘ Well , we also need a ministry .’ And I said , ‘ I would love it .’ That ’ s just how it happened .”
Bingham and Smith are often seen at PDRA races offering pre-run prayers for racers in the staging lanes , providing a prayer over the P . A . system during pre-race ceremonies , and holding non-denominational church services on Saturday
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mornings before eliminations begin . But that ’ s just a glimpse of what they do . They offer a calming presence in good times and bad .
“ I ’ ve had many racers say , ‘ When I see you there , my blood pressure drops and I know there ’ s a peace .’” Bingham says . “ We ’ re there if somebody has an accident , of course , we ’ re there for the family , but we ’ re there for the ones involved . We ’ re there hopefully in
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58 PDRA660 . com |