Bay Area Residents Ready to Race for Charity at Sonoma Raceway
Charity Challenge on the road to raise $1 million for Speedway Children's Charities
SONOMA, Calif. (Sept. 27, 2017) — Several Northern California residents will take on the twists and turns of Sonoma Raceway at this weekend's Classic Sports Racing Group (CSRG) Charity Challenge, Sept. 30-Oc. 1.
Nearly 300 vintage race cars will hit the track for a full weekend of racing on the 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course, featuring nine race groups with practice and qualifying on Saturday and main events on Sunday. Many of the drivers behind these incredible machines will convene on their home track for the 14th annual event.
Local drivers include Greenbrae's Andrew Wait, who will pilot a 1972 Lola T 204. Wait, a technology executive, is currently working on a start-up focused on changing the economic outcomes of people in the restaurant industry. His impressive resume includes serving as president of Lynda.com, which was acquired by LinkedIn, president of EF Englishtown, the world's largest online English-language school, and SVP and general manager of Ancestry.com, the world's largest online genealogy resource. Wait has also held senior positions at Blurb, Bank of America, Hilton Hotels and Kodak Gallery (Ofoto).
Petaluma's Ethan Shippert will take part in the weekend's featured Can Am Mini Challenge, as the Mini Cooper has been named be the marquee racecar of event. Shippert will take the wheel of his father in law's popular #77 jet-black Huffaker Mini, typically driven by Joe Huffaker Jr. Shippert, who has worked for Petaluma-based Veloce Motors West for the past 16 years, is an accomplished driver in his own right with an impressive career in SCCA National competition in the Formula Ford Class.
Additional Bay Area CSRG entrants include: Jeffrey Abramson (Alamo, 1964 Corvette, 1959 Morgan Baby Doll and 1970 Chevrolet Camaro); Kevin Adair (Fairfield, 1962 MC and 1959 Austin Healey); Bob Albright (Sonoma, 1959 Alfa Romeo); John Anderson (Sebastopol, 1972 Titan); Danny Baker (San Francisco, 1979 Ralt); Steve Barber (Danville, 1979 Mercury); Jonathan Becker (Martinez, 1967 Austin Mini); Diane and Malcolm Cox (Napa, 1960 MG); Locke de Bretteville (San Jose, 1969 Palliser-Winkelmann); Jim Derich (Mill Valley, 1959 Devin Porsche); Brian Ferrin (Sonoma, 1970 Chevrolet Camaro); Lawrence Francis (Oakland, 1964 Triumph Spitfire); Bob Greer (Glen Ellen, 1964 MG); Jeffrey Heller (Berkeley, 1961 Cooper Monaco); John Hildebrand (Sausalito, 1964 Pontiac Tempest); Jonathan and Paul Kitchen (San Francisco, 1969 Lotus); David Martin (Saint Helena, 1961 Genie and 1970 Datsun); Scott Meredith (Santa Rosa, 1964 MG); David Nelson (Geyserville, 1955 Triumph); Jeffrey Rotham (Santa Rosa, 1981 Royale); John Shirley (Sonoma, 1962 Turner MKII); Enrico Tenni (Sonoma, 1961 Lotus); Steve Torp (Berkeley, 1963 Porsche); and Daniel Wise (Benicia, 1973 Crossle), among other locals.
Since its inception in 2004, the CSRG Charity Challenge has raised $830,000 to support the success and wellness of Sonoma County children. CSRG is on the road to raise $1 million for Speedway Children's Charities and is determined to accomplish its goal with the support of Sonoma Raceway and the help of drivers, guests and volunteers.
Race fans can join in the high-speed, charitable fun with an unforgettable ride around the road course on Saturday and Sunday. For a $75-$500 donation, depending upon the car, fans can take a thrilling, three-lap ride around the road course. Riders must be at least 16 years old, be in good health and wear a long-sleeve shirt, pants and closed-toe shoes to ride. The Charity Track Rides will begin at 1 p.m. on both days and always sell out quickly. Sign-ups begin at 9 a.m. onsite each day.
Tickets for the CSRG Charity Challenge can be purchased online or by phone at 800-870-RACE before 5 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 29, for $12 each day or $20 for a two-day pass. Tickets at the gate are $25 each day or $40 for a weekend pass. This is a family-friendly event, and students of all ages as well as military and veterans are admitted free with appropriate identification; parking is free. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.
For more information on the Classic Sports Racing Group, visit www.CharityRacing.org or visit CSRG's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/csrgracing. For ticket deals, check the Sonoma Raceway ticket site at www.SonomaRaceway.com/events.
