Mario Andretti Featured at Blood Drive on Jan. 28

LEGENDARY DRIVER WILL GIVE HOT LAPS AROUND 

TRACK IN EXCHANGE FOR BLOOD

                                   

SONOMA, Calif. January 15, 2004; Motor sports enthusiasts will be given
the rare opportunity to ride with a racing legend at Infineon Raceway on
Wednesday, Jan. 28, and at the same time aid the Northern California Region
of the American Red Cross, which is facing critically low blood supplies
during this winter season.

 

Mario Andretti, the only driver in history to win races in five different
decades, will be part of the 3rd annual Infineon Technologies High-Speed
Blood Drive on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from noon-6 p.m. Andretti will give a
pre-determined number of fans a lap around the world-famous 12-turn,
2.52-mile road course at full speed, and all it will cost is a pint of
blood.

 

The blood drive couldn't come at a better time as national inventory levels
have dropped well below a safe and adequate blood supply. Certain blood
types are nearing depletion, and in some areas of the country elective
surgeries have been postponed or cancelled. 

 

"Throughout January, blood supplies in the Bay Area have been critically
low.  We always operate on a narrow margin, typically keeping a two-day
blood supply on hand.  Recently, we've had less than a day's supply of blood
available to meet the needs of patients. The situation is starting to impact
patient care . Therefore I am particularly happy about the Infineon Raceway
blood drive. We need more of these voluntary business initiatives to
encourage people to donate blood," said Philippe Bureau, Director of Donor
Recruitment for the American Red Cross Blood Services, Northern California
Region.

 

Said Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy G. Thompson: "The nation
is facing critical shortages in communities across the country. If blood
supplies do not immediately increase, patients, accident victims and those
whose lives depend on regular transfusions, are at risk for not getting the
blood they need."

 

Fans are invited to the raceway to help the American Red Cross meet its
constant need for blood donors, and at the same time, they can meet
Andretti, the 1978 Formula One world champion, four-time CART champion and
winner of both the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500. 

 

In addition to the American Red Cross and Infineon Technologies, Infineon
Raceway will again partner with The Bone 107.7 FM on this worthwhile event.
Hospitals around the country use a total of 38,000 units of blood each day,
with demand increasing each year.  

 

Bob LeFort, president of Infineon Technologies North America, is pleased to
host the event and will make Andretti (Infineon Technologies spokesman)
available.

 

"I am really proud that Infineon is again supporting this year's blood drive
at the raceway since the demand for blood supply is very high. I am
particularly pleased that we again have Mario Andretti to help us make this
event both a lasting memory for all participants and contribute to the
overall success of the blood drive," LeFort said.

 

According to the American Red Cross, it is estimated that 60-percent of the
United States' population is eligible to donate blood, however only 2-3
percent of Bay Area residents donate blood.  This is lower than the national
average, which is only 5-percent of eligible donors.

    

To help get hearts pumping before giving blood, those who visit the raceway
between noon and 5 p.m. will be treated to a "hot lap" around the 12-turn
Infineon Raceway road course.  Andretti, as well as professional drivers
from the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School, will administer the laps at
speed around the 2.52-mile circuit. Because of an anticipated high donor
turnout, only the first 50 donors to make an appointment on www.beadonor.com
will receive hot laps with Andretti.  Laps with Andretti will also be given
away on The Bone 107.7 FM, so be sure to listen.  Andretti will also be
available for autographs.

 

After a lap around the track, participants will complete a brief health
history questionnaire with a Red Cross representative to ensure eligibility.
For information on donor eligibility, please visit www.beadonor.com.
Complimentary cookies and juice will be available.

 

For more information, please contact Diana Rose at
 drose@infineonraceway.com or (707)
933-3918.