CART teams rally around Zanardi in charity effort

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

September 23, 2001

Teams, drivers also rally around two-time champ for World Association To Aid Children fund

CORBY, England (September 22, 2001) - Championship Auto Racing Teams will donate $100 for every lap leader from today's inaugural Rockingham 500 to the charity fund designated by recently injured two-time FedEx Series champion Alex Zanardi.

A $100 donation will be sent on behalf of every driver who leads a lap in the 210-lap event and the collective donation of $21,000 is earmarked for the World Association To Aid Children. The fund was designated by the Zanardi family for donations in lieu of flowers for the Champ Car star who lost both legs in a tragic race accident last week in Germany.

"We thought this was a very fitting way to make a contribution to a charity that is close to Alex's heart as well as exhibit to him and Daniela that they will be in our thoughts throughout the race," said Mike Zizzo, CART Vice President of Competition Public Relations. "Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with them and the CART community looks forward to helping them cope with their new challenge in life."

Several teams and drivers, including several that will make private donations, are joining the sanctioning body in donating to the fund through their performances in today's Rockingham 500:

* Honda will contribute $100 for each lap led by a Honda-powered driver with a minimum donation of $10,000.

* Team Penske will contribute $10 for every lap completed by drivers Gil de Ferran and Helio Castroneves as well as $25 for every lap led by each of them.

* Individually, de Ferran and Castroneves will match the Team Penske donation with $10 for every lap each completes and $25 for each lap led.

* Team Green will contribute $100 for every lap led for each of its drivers, Dario Franchitti and Paul Tracy.

* Team Motorola will contribute $100 for every lap led for driver Michael Andretti.

* Fernandez Racing will donate $10 for every lap completed by drivers Adrian Fernandez and Shinji Nakano with a minimum donation of $3,500.

* Patrick Racing will donate $100 for every lap led by drivers Jimmy Vasser, Roberto Moreno and rookie Townsend Bell.

* Target Chip Ganassi Racing will contribute $10 for every lap completed by its drivers, rookie Bruno Junqueira and Memo Gidley.

* PacWest Racing will donate $100 for every lap led by its drivers, Mo Gugelmin and rookie Scott Dixon.

For others interested in donating to the World Association to Aid Children, checks in Zanardi's name may be forwarded to: Assosiation Mondial pur l'Aid des Enfant, Star Team For Children, 20 Avenue de Fontvieille, MC 98000, Monaco.

Cards and letters can be sent to Mo Nunn Racing; 2920 Fortune Circle West, Suite E; Indianapolis, IN 46241.

Text provided by T.E. McHale

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