Pace car rides, parade laps, autocross competition and more activities for fans LEXINGTON, OHIO (April 22, 2013) – Fans are invited to FanFest, a free, open house-style event at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Friday, May 3. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. and the event is free to attend, along with most activities. An autocross competition puts fans (18+ years old with a valid driver’s license) in a brand new 2013 Acura ILX on a short course through the track’s middle paddock. The fastest autocross driver will earn a pair of tickets to a race of their choice and a spot in a 2013 Acura High Performance Course at The Mid-Ohio School. Parade laps are another free opportunity allowing fans to drive their cars on the same track that has challenged the top names in racing. As part of Mid-Ohio’s fundraising relationship with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, there will be a donation associated with two of the evening’s activities. Pace car rides, $50 on race weekends, are $10, with proceeds going to Nationwide Children’s. Parade lap participants wanting to commemorate that experience with a photo can buy one for $8, with monies also heading to the hospital. “This is a great chance for our fans to come on out to the track and have some fun but most importantly, it gives them an opportunity to get their tickets to the races at the season’s lowest prices. We had an outstanding turnout for our NASCAR Nationwide Series test earlier this month and know that our fans are anxious for the 2013 season to get underway.” said Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course President Craig Rust. FanFest coincides with Mid-Ohio’s advance ticket deadline. Through May 3, tickets are at their best prices of the year, between $5 and $20 lower than the standard prices found beginning May 4. Tickets are on sale at midohio.com 24 hours a day but will also be sold on site during FanFest at multiple locations. Food and beverages will be available but fans are also welcome to bring their own. FanFest Schedule: 4 p.m. Gates open 4 – 4:30 p.m. Porsche Club of America on track 4 – 7 p.m. Autocross Competition 5 – 6 p.m. Pace Car Rides ($10 donation) 6:15 – 7 p.m. Parade Laps 7 – 7:45 p.m. Pace Car Rides ($10 donation) General parking is free and children 12 and under are also admitted free to all events at Mid-Ohio. Visit midohio.com anytime or call 800-MID-OHIO (643-6446) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. to order tickets. A comprehensive motorsports facility, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course features a permanent road-racing circuit with two primary configurations: a 2.4-mile, 15 turn, and a 2.25- mile, 13-turn circuit. The park-like, 330-acre complex is located in Lexington, Ohio, near Mansfield, 60 miles north of Columbus and 75 miles south of Cleveland. The track has been called the most competitive course in the U.S. and annually hosts a diverse lineup of locally, regionally and nationally sanctioned racing events for amateur, club and professional drivers and riders. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course opened in 1962 and is owned and operated by Green Savoree Mid-Ohio, LLC.