Motorcycle racer Wyman to host young Wisconsinite with rare disease AMA Pro Road Racer hoping to raise awareness for Progeria ELKHART LAKE, Wis. — Extending its successful relationship with KLR Group and GK Motorsports, the Progeria Research Foundation has partnered with AMA Pro XR1200 Series rider Kyle Wyman to raise awareness of Progeria, a rare, fatal, “rapid aging” disease that afflicts children. KLR Group, GK Motorsports and the PRF already have an established relationship with NHRA Pro Stock driver Erica Enders, who has worked tirelessly to raise awareness for the disease. GK Motorsports owner Gaston Kearby has since offered to expand the partnership with Progeria to the AMA fan base through Wyman’s race program, which picked up title sponsorship from Kearby and the KLR Group earlier this season. “Progeria is so rare,” PRF executive director Audrey Gordon said. “Even though we’ve done a ton of work to raise awareness throughout the world, especially here in the United States, there are still people out there who don’t know what it is, and therefore, they don’t know what they can do to really help these kids. “It’s so exciting to have a totally new group to expose to Progeria and the great work that the PRF is doing to help these kids’ lives. It’s a total win-win.” Effective immediately, KLR Group rider Wyman will serve as an official spokesman for the Progeria Research Foundation and will kick off the relationship Saturday during the AMA Pro Subway SuperBike Doubleheader at Road America. With generous help from Road America’s Communications Director John Ewert, Wyman’s KLR Group race team will host Progeria patient Megan Nighbor and her family at the race a day after Megan turns 12 years old. One of just 89 children worldwide diagnosed with Progeria, Nighbor lives in Green Bay. “There is a lot of work to be done, of course, and we are more than happy to help out in any way we can,” Wyman said. “I’m really looking forward to showing Megan and her family around the track, introducing them to all the other riders and then going out and winning the race for her. I’m sure they’re going to have a great time. “I’m also very anxious to introduce the PRF to all of the road racing fans around the world, and really anyone that shares our love for riding motorcycles. We believe a cure can be found and so much progress has already been made. But we still have a battle ahead of us and we’re ready to take it on with the help of everyone in the AMA Pro Road Racing family.” Wyman currently ranks second in the XR1200 points standings after winning the season-opener at Daytona, finishing second at Miller Motorsports Park and taking third at Road Atlanta and Sonoma. He has been the top qualifier twice this season and is just 16 points out of first place. A press conference featuring Wyman, Nighbor and Gordon will be held Saturday in the media center at Road America to discuss the new partnership.