This weekend, June 23-24, B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) will be making its second visit to the Los Angeles County Fairplex in 2012 to conduct another free Teen Pro-Active Driving School.

“The response from the community in and around Pomona to B.R.A.K.E.S. has been fantastic,” said Doug Herbert, NHRA Top Fuel veteran and founder of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. “Everyone knows that this part of California revolves around the car, and anything we can do to help young drivers learn how to become more conscientious behind the wheel makes tremendous sense out here. Plus, having our Teen Pro-Active Driving School at a location where so many great drivers achieved such enormous success on the quarter-mile gives our school an added bit of relevance.”

Herbert enjoyed one of his most memorable victories at the Pomona facility in 2001 when he captured Top Fuel honors at NHRA’s 50th Anniversary national event.  But for him, the satisfaction that comes from helping to save the lives of teenage drivers through the efforts of his organization, founded in tribute to his sons, Jon and James, who lost their lives in a traffic accident in Cornelius, N.C., in 2008, provides special meaning.

“We’re looking at having 76 schools and nearly 3,000 teenagers take our free defensive-driving course across the country this year and are planning on coming back to Pomona again in December,” said Herbert. “How many lives will potentially be saved is anyone’s guess, but anytime a kid can take what they’ve learned in our school and prevent a tragedy, that’s what makes B.R.A.K.E.S. a success.”

Two classes a day will be held on Saturday and Sunday at the Fairplex, and open spots remain for both Sunday sessions. The classes are scheduled for 8 a.m to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. For more information or to enroll, call Cascie Kirk, 704-720-3806; email, CascieKirk@putonthebrakes.com.

For more information on B.R.A.K.E.S. or to make a tax-deductible donation, log on to www.putonthebrakes.com.