SONOMA, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2017) — While a number of North Bay fire departments have dispatched equipment to help fight the ongoing fires in Southern California, Sonoma Raceway's Laps of Appreciation fundraising event will continue as planned this Tuesday, Dec. 12.
The evening will feature a limited number of fire trucks, as well as an abundance of other first responder vehicles, including police and California Highway Patrol cars and ambulances. The event will serve as a special opportunity for the community to gather and thank the public safety personnel involved in the response to October's North Bay fires.
Entry to this unprecedented event, which runs from 5-8 p.m. at the wine country facility, is free and open to the public. Tickets for on-track rides in a variety of emergency vehicles, including fire engines and police cars, can be purchased in advance or at the event for a $25 donation; each ticket includes three ride tickets for laps around the road course.
All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Sonoma County Resilience Fund and the Redwood Valley and Santa Rosa Community Recovery Fund. Sonoma Raceway will match up to $50,000 in contributions and NASCAR will match up to $10,000 generated through sponsorship and attendance at the event. Laps of Appreciation is open to all community members and is a family-friendly event.
In addition to rides on the raceway's 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course in a first responder vehicle , guests will also enjoy a log and lumber truck display courtesy of Humboldt Redwood Company, Save Mart Supermarkets' 13-foot tall motorized shopping cart named "Big Red," a race car display, thank-you note writing station, a coloring station, music and much more. The evening will also feature fun for children at the Kids Club display featuring a build-a-racer booth, the Friedman's Home Improvement racing ramp, face painting and balloon animals. Food and hot beverages will be available for purchase courtesy of Levy Restaurants at the Raceway Café. Event-themed t-shirts will also be available for $10 each with 100% of the proceeds going to the aforementioned funds.
Laps of Appreciation tickets are $25 per person, which includes three tickets for rides around the road course. To purchase tickets in advance or for more information, visit www.SonomaRaceway.com or call 800-870-RACE. Parking is free at the benefit and riders of all ages are welcome; children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult on rides.
