Fans Compete Against NHRA Drivers in Chariting Karting
Event
Fans Can Race Against Top NHRA Drivers on Infineon Raceway's Kart Track
for Charity
SONOMA, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2007) - NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series stars
Ron Capps, Cory McClenathan and Gary Scelzi will battle for supremacy on
Infineon Raceway's lightning-quick kart track on Saturday, March 3, and
50 lucky race fans are invited to join them.
Infineon Raceway will host the 5th annual NHRA Tour de Charity on its
16-turn, three-quarter mile kart track on Saturday, March 3, from 9:30
a.m. - 4 p.m. (Pacific). The first 50 fans who register will have a
reserved seat in the action-packed day. Cost is $325 and includes a day
of karting with the drivers, autographs, lunch, and the chance to
compete in a 10-lap timed race for a grand prize. All proceeds benefit
Speedway Children's Charities, which serves youth organizations in
Sonoma County.
The event has raised more than $41,000 over the last four years, and
organizers hope to generate $13,000 at this year's Tour de Charity.
Here's the NHRA driver lineup for the day:
* Ron Capps (Brut Dodge Charger Funny Car): 1997 NHRA Funny Car winner
at Infineon Raceway; placed third in 2006 Funny Car points.
* Cory McClenathan (Carrier Boyz FRAM Boost Top Fuel Dragster):
Finished ninth in 2006 Top Fuel points; 1997 NHRA Top Fuel winner at
Infineon Raceway.
* Gary Scelzi (Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger Funny Car): 2005 NHRA Funny
Car Champion; two-time Funny Car winner at Infineon Raceway (2003,
2005).
"I've come to this event three of the four years and it keeps getting
better and better," Capps said. "We're supporting a great cause with
Speedway Children's Charities, but at the same time we get to go karting
all day and hang out with the fans. It's been great."
The Jim Russell Racing Schools, which operates the karting center, will
provide the karts, race suits, classroom instruction and on-track
pointers for all competitors. There will be giveaways during the day,
and the top 10 qualifiers (race fans) will compete in a 10-lap timed
race at the end of day for the NHRA Experience. This package includes:
two tickets to the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals (July 27-29) and a
meet-and-greet with a top star on the NHRA circuit. Piloti will also
graciously donate a certificate for a pair of driving shoes to the event
for a second straight year.
"This was a blast," said Ken Caplan, from San Jose, who participated in
2006. "I'm really into NHRA drag racing, and all forms of racing, so to
meet these drivers and get a day of karting was more than I could have
asked for. It's really unbelievable just how nice the NHRA drivers are
in person. I'll be back for this every year."
The NHRA drivers will also compete in a 10-lap timed race at the end of
the day for King of the Track bragging rights. The winners the first
four years of this highly-competitive race have been Capps (2003, 2005,
2006) and McClenathan (2004). To reserve your seat in the NHRA Tour de
Charity, please call 707-933-3950, 800-870-RACE, or e-mail
dsilver@infineonraceway.com.
###
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John Cardinale
VP of Media/Community Relations
Infineon Raceway
Highways 37 &121, Sonoma, CA 95476
wk: 707-933-3907
cell: 707-334-9805
