DANVILLE, VA. – VIRginia International Raceway has announced its 2008 spectator events calendar. 2007 was VIR’s best year ever, and 2008 looks to be even better and will provide something for every race fan. Professional road racing at its best returns to VIR in 2008, with the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown RoyalR Cask No. 16, April 25-27. Grand-Am’s Daytona Prototype sports cars take to VIR’s Full Course in an electrifying show as these exotic cars compete for 77 laps over the 3.27-mile track. The prototypes race around the year at events beginning with the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in January and complete their schedule in September. The VIR round will feature a combined race of the Rolex Prototypes and the GT cars in a 250-mile clash over VIR. Joining the GT and Prototype cars are a wide range of support races including the SunTrust Moto-ST endurance motorcycle races. The pinnacle of motorcycle racing also returns to VIR with the AMA Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals the weekend of August 15-17. To comprehend the amazing skill and speed of AMA Superbike racers, one must see them in person. Always a crowd favorite, the Big Kahuna weekend will feature all the other attractions fans have come to enjoy, with off-track shows, stunt bikes, music and additional attractions for the entire family. The track’s first major attraction on the weekend of April 12-13 marks VIR’s appearance as a new venue for Southeast Division SCCA Double National races. The Double National’s early position on the calendar ensures a large entry from across the nation, and will provide fans with action-packed racing as drivers compete for an invitation to the October RunoffsR where national championships are decided. Double Nationals provide a full slate of races on both Saturday and Sunday, doubling the chances for drivers to earn points and for guests to enjoy the competition. SCCA’s SARRC/MARRS Challenge returns for the weekend of May 10-11. This “North-South” challenge race draws amateur sports car racers from the Southeast and Northeast Divisions of SCCA in a shootout to determine bragging rights for the rest of the year. One of the largest fields of cars at the track each year, this race is always fun and exciting for participants and for spectators. Also returning in May after a successful debut last year, VIR’s Stock Car Open Practice Day. For only $15, fans will be able to watch top Stock Car teams practice on the 2.25-mile North Course. The Plantation Valley Kart Track will also be open that day to the public. The crown jewel in VIR’s annual calendar is the June 6-8 Heacock Classic Gold Cup Historic Races. Featuring All American Muscle for 2008, the event will spotlight cars with American power. Entries are expected to include V8-powered “Specials” from the 50s and 60s, plus Can-Am, Trans-Am, IMSA and even NASCAR racers from the past. Prior Gold Cups have featured Porsche, Healey, Italian cars, German cars, women in racing and more. The 2007 Gold Cup celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of VIR’s opening, bringing back Chris Economaki, the track’s first announcer; Carroll Shelby, winner of the first feature race; and many of the historic cars that raced here until the track closed at the end of 1974. The most exciting addition to VIR’s 2008 calendar is the addition to the Gold Cup of the Wings & Wheels show. This mix of air show, static display, aerobatics, wing walking and more attracts historic aircraft, warbirds, experimental planes and more, making this a must-attend for aficionados of classic cars and airplanes. The “Wheels” portion of the show will be a large car show for hot rods, muscle cars and sports cars of all types with prizes and exciting opportunities to drive the VIR track. June 21-22 brings the motorcycles of Championship Cup Series racing to compete on VIR’s North Course in the first motorcycle racing of the season for VIR. CCS riders provide exciting racing everywhere they go and have been starting points for numerous star riders, including local star Brian Kcraget and track favorite Nate Kern. Another new event on VIR’s calendar is the August 9-10 Porsche Club of America race. This event will attract a variety of Porsches and these races are a great way to meet fellow enthusiasts and to see the German marque in action on the race track. September 6-7 returns CCS with their brand of motorcycle action to VIR’s North Course. The following weekend sees Sports Car Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) hosting another of VIR’s vintage and historic races. Always popular with both participants and spectators, SVRA is a fun event for everyone. On the weekend of October 3-5, VIR’s schedule brings a new flavor of excitement, as the GT Live weekend brings the widest variety of events to a single weekend on VIR’s calendar with a pair of six-hour enduros for the Grand-Am KONI Challenge sports cars, motorcycle stunt riding, drifting, Redline Time Attack, static displays, music, and never a dull moment. The KONI Challenge races feature cars from BMW, Porsche, Mustang, Chevrolet, Mazda and more, with star drivers from the worlds of auto racing and show business taking part. Past years have featured TV and movie star Patrick Dempsey as a driver, joined by racers whose backgrounds range from stock cars to Formula One. Four weeks later, the longest race on VIR’s schedule returns with the Charge of the Headlight Brigade. Racing on the Full Course on Saturday, November 1, Sports Car Club of America’s racers will contest a 13-hour endurance race, taking the green flag at 9:15 in the morning and ending at 10:15 that night. Matching Production cars, Showroom Stock, Improved Touring and Sports Racers, the “Headlight Brigade” is sometimes a proving ground where manufacturers try out new equipment but is also a place for “Joe Racer” to race. The “Headlight Brigade” event has grown into one of the most popular events on the SCCA calendar, for drivers and manufacturers alike. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to race at Daytona, Sebring or Le Mans, this is a way to find out, closer to home. Season passes to VIR’s major events are only $250, through Jan 4, 2008. This saves buyers over $150, compared to purchasing individual weekend tickets. These special passes include parking at all events, making a sweet deal even sweeter. After January 4 the season ticket price increases to $350. Tickets can be purchased at www.etix.com. “We are really excited about the 2008 season,” said VIR General Manager Josh Lief. “Since the track reopened in 2000, each year has been better and more exciting. We want to thank all the fans who came to VIR in 2007, making it our best season ever. For 2008, we have made the schedule even better and are providing a mix of motorsports events for every type of race fan and hope everyone makes plans to come and visit America’s Motorsport Resort. ” For information on the track and other event schedules, call 434-822-7700 or check our web site at www.virclub.com.