Photography by Ivan Velasco et al.
Welcome to the official site for the Race4Autism program!
As a lifelong racer, most of my core memories are at the race track. As an autistic person, it’s really the only place I never had to struggle to fit in and could truly be myself. My goal with starting the Race4Autism program is to share those memories with people who would otherwise never get the chance to experience the fun and wonder that is the races. We host free events with local autism non-profits to provide families affected by autism a fun, sensory-friendly experience of all things racing.
Sit in real race cars, collect autographs, hot-lap on a pro racing simulator, and decorate racecars with your artwork and hope Austin brings them into victory lane!
The Race4Autism program has introduced almost 10,000 people affected by ASD to racing, and has raised almost $10K for autism-related non-profits across 10 events since 2022. Race4Autism also provides fundraising solutions for local non-profits, and offers great charity and brand marketing opportunities anywhere in the nation. See us at an event near you: Autism Speaks LA Walk Nov. 16, Special Olympics Winter Games LA Nov. 17, Autism Speaks OC Nov. 23.
Austin Varco, racecar driver and founder of Race4Autism
12.01.2023 BehavioralAutismTherapies Race4Autism event in Ontario, CA recap
11.20.2023 AutismSpeaks Race4Autism Event
10.31.2023 Race4Autism Event with Kern Autism Network at Buttonwillow Raceway Park recap
05.25.2023 San Diego Union Tribune feature: Someone San Diego Should Know: Austin Varco
05.23.2023 AutismSpeaks feature: Adulting on the Spectrum: On being a racecar driver
05.01.2023 April Autism-acceptance Race4Autism event
04.16.2023 BehavioralAutismTherapies Race4Autism event in Ontario, CA recap
03.10.2023 LA-based Special Needz Coffee partners as title sponsor of Austin Varco & the Race4Autism program
03.10.2023 Atoll Vodka/Ocean Minded Spirits assumes associate sponsor role of Race4Autism program
12.11.2022 AutismSpeaks LA Walk ‘Race for Autism’ event recap
12.05.2022 Austin Varco to speak at AutismSpeaks LA Walk Opening Ceremony, hosting ‘Race for Autism’ event
12.02.2022 KNX 97.1 honors Austin Varco as ‘Hero of the Week’
10.30.2022 Debut for ‘Race for Autism’ program at Buttonwillow Raceway Park
10.23.2022 Mossy Nissan, Envirolawyer, Varco to partner with ‘Race for Autism’ program Oct. 29
10.01.2022 Inaugural ‘Race for Autism’ Program Announced
Published Media
Autism Speaks Profile - Facebook
“Way to go Austin! You are such an inspiration to others.” - Dana C.
“We need you, keep up the good work.” - Linda M.
“…I love what you’re doing Austin, pave the way so that my little guy can walk behind you!” - Carmen D.
Autism Speaks Profile - Instagram
“OMG this gives me so much hope about my son and his dreams!! Nothing is impossible!”
“Keep it up Austin. You sound like a perfect ambassador for this much-needed cause.” - @tha_kituation
“Austin - thank you. I remember growing up in the 60s & 70s with athletes that assumed the responsibility of role models in our society for the benefit of helping the young ones growing up. Thus to see and hear this is very refreshing! […] Seeing such goals, accomplishments, & a voice like yourself bodes so well for the future of my son and others on the spectrums.” - @the_sparrows_nest00
“You empower us parents to seek a possible future for our kids.” - @drbrenda21