Orbit Racing - Victory Laps and Sonoma preview

Victory Laps

Orbit Racing will introduce its Victory Laps for Victory Junction program on 
July 26, during the American Le Mans Series race weekend at Infineon Raceway 
in Sonoma, Calif.  The program was designed to help create awareness of the 
Victory Junction Gang Camp, a summer camp for children who have chronic or 
life-threatening illnesses, founded by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and his wife Pattie 
in memory of their son, Adam.  Orbit Racing driver Leo Hindery is a co-founder 
of the camp.  Peter Baron, who drives the No. 43 YES Network Porsche 911 GT3 
RS with Hindery, initiated the Victory Laps program.

In cooperation with Scalextric USA, Michelin and Porsche Cars North America, 
Orbit Racing will present a slot-car competition at each ALMS race location.  
With a $5 donation, fans will have the opportunity to race on the Victory Laps 
slot-car track in the Orbit paddock.  Prizes for the season include 
Scalextric tracks and cars, Michelin Man bobblehead dolls, a chance to ride a Michelin 
Segway Human Transporter, use of a Porsche for a week and a candlelight dinner 
at the track, prepared and served by Orbit Racing drivers and Marion's 
Catering.

"Words can't express how grateful Pattie and I are to Orbit Racing for all 
they are doing to help Victory Junction," Kyle Petty said.  "With Leo Hindery as 
a co-founder, I knew I could always count on his support.  But for the whole 
team to get behind it and then to come up with these great ways to get the 
fans involved, that's incredible.  It speaks volumes about their values in life.  
I hope they get a huge turnout from the fans, because I know that anyone who 
donates even one dollar will be proud of what they helped to build."

local lore

Leo Hindery has deep roots in northern California.  During his 20 years in 
San Francisco, he became a leading force in the development of cable sports 
television.  He was involved in the strategy and launch of SPEED Channel and 
founded the Yankees Entertainment and Sports (YES) Network, which features the New 
York Yankees and the New Jersey Nets.

He returns to California as a race-car driver.  "A large part of my heart 
will always be in the beautiful Bay Area, where I have many roots and friends," 
he said.  "It is nice to come home, so to speak, and to do so racing at 
Infineon Raceway in the ALMS is a particular pleasure."

fresh view

Joe and Jay Policastro, who drive the No. 42 Classic Industries Porsche, are 
rookies on the 2.53-mile Infineon Raceway road course.  But Joe says it could 
work to their advantage.  

"It's going to be a bit of a learning experience for us," he acknowledged.  
"But sometimes it's an advantage if you're not relying on past experience; you 
can look at it as a fresh idea.  It's not a high-speed track, it's a driver's 
track.  It's exciting because it brings it down to the point where you don't 
have to have the fastest car, you have to have the best-prepared car."

###

Sylvia Proudfoot
spur07@cs.com
403 287 3945