SONOMA, Calif. (Oct. 4, 2018) - Charitable giving and high-speed racing will come together during this weekend's 15th annual Classic Sports Racing Group (CSRG) Charity Challenge, as the organization races to raise $1 million for Speedway Children's Charities, Oct. 6-7. Since 2004, this event has generated more than $920,000 for the Sonoma chapter of Speedway Children's Charities (SCC).
Charity Track Rides are the primary focus of CSRG's fundraising efforts during the Charity Challenge. Fans can pick their dream ride from a variety of vintage race cars, including Ferraris, Corvettes, Mustangs, Alfa Romeos, Minis and Can-Am cars among others. The experience includes three thrilling laps around Sonoma Raceway's road course on Saturday and Sunday. Rides start at just $75 (a tax-deductible donation), go up for bid at 9 a.m. each day. The rides sell out quickly, so arrive at the track early to reserve your spot.
"It's not unusual for businesses to raise money for their community, but the way SCC and CSRG do it, through giving race car rides in return for a donation, is very different," said CSRG President Locke de Bretteville. "By donating to the charity, you receive a super-sized adrenaline rush that makes an amusement park ride pale by comparison."
Charity ride participants must be at least 16 years old, in good health and wear a long-sleeve shirt, pants and closed toe shoes to ride. The rides are slated to begin at 1:25 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
Nearly 300 vintage race cars will hit the track throughout the weekend on the 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course. The event will feature vintage Formula 1 cars, Formula Fords, pre-war race cars, sports cars spanning from the 1930's through the 1980's, up to the more modern Formula Atlantics from the 1970s and production sports cars from the 1950s and '60s, as well as a collection of NASCAR stock cars.
Race fans, spectators and participants can also support SCC by purchasing raffle tickets throughout the weekend. Unique items and experiences up for grabs include a seaplane tour of the Golden Gate Bridge for two, local wines, signed racing memorabilia and more. Raffle tickets and items are located at the charity booth inside the garages.
Guests can also stroll the paddock to get up-close to the historic cars and chat with drivers moments before they take to the track for high-speed racing. The Charity Challenge is a great family event. Children 12 years and younger, students of all ages as well as military and veterans are admitted free with appropriate identification and parking is free. Admission covers entry to all spectator areas, as well as paddock access and parking. Tickets are $25 each day or $40 for a weekend pass.
The Sonoma chapter of SCC, the charitable arm of Sonoma Raceway, is dedicated to raising money for Sonoma County youth organizations. SCC has distributed more than $6 million since 2001. For more information on the Classic Sports Racing Group Charity Challenge, visit www.charityracing.org.
