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CART: Retiring Rahal Offering Fans Unique Chance to Sponsor His "Last Ride"

11 October 1998

Bobby Rahal
COLUMBUS, Ohio - A few hundred generous and fortunate race fans will have the unique opportunity to sponsor three-time CART FedEx Championship Series champion Bobby Rahal's Miller Lite Reynard/Ford-Cosworth Championship Car as the retiring Rahal competes in his final race as a driver Nov. 1 at the California Speedway in Fontana, Calif.

For a minimum $25 cash donation to The Bobby Rahal Foundation, fans attending CART's season-ending Marlboro 500 will be able to add their signature to one of two special four-square-foot decals that will be mounted atop the sidepods of Rahal's race car for his final drive. Many of the signatures will be in view of the in-car camera mounted on the car's roll hoop and may be seen during ESPN's 8 p.m. EST broadcast of the race. Donors will receive an autographed photo of Rahal with the car as a memento.

The program is an ironic one for Rahal, who has taken part in free Saturday afternoon autograph sessions at each CART event during the 19-race Rahal's Last Ride campaign. "I thought it was time I turned the tables," he said. "This is a great chance for a number of our race fans to be a part of history, to say 'goodbye' and 'thank you' to Bobby, and to support the altruistic work of his foundation," said CART Chairman and CEO, and Foundation Board Member Andrew Craig. "This unique program is yet another reason our season finale will be one to watch."

The Bobby Rahal Foundation is a not-for-profit endowment created by the two-time Driver of the Year and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner to generate and distribute charitable funds raised during his final season as a driver. The foundation will identify worthwhile organizations within the race markets the CART series has visited in 1998 to share foundation donations at the conclusion of the season.

"So many supportive individuals, organizations and communities have contributed to what success I've achieved," Rahal said. "The foundation is providing us a unique chance to give something back."

Fans interested in sponsoring Rahal's Last Ride may sign up at the Team Rahal merchandise trailer behind the California Speedway's main grandstand on Saturday, October 31.

Editors Note: The images displayed in this article (plus many more) can be viewed in The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.