DANVILLE, VA. Participants in VIRginia International Raceway’s annual Holiday Laps on Friday, November 14, will get the chance to do more than just drive the track for their donation to the Salvation Army: local driver and race mechanic Dave Handy is offering the lucky winner of the WAKG/WBTM holiday auction the ride of a lifetime in his 1968 McLaren M6B Can-Am racer. One lucky ticket buyer will have the chance to ride along with Dave in this historic race car, harking back to the days when a couple of good mechanics could build a car to compete at the top of the heap. This aluminum-chassis, fiberglass bodied sports racer has a history of wins at Dave’s hands in recent vintage sports car races, and is well capable of running lap times that would be competitive in the Grand-Am Rolex Daytona Prototype class. “We really expect this to be the biggest and best Holiday Laps yet,” said VIR managing partner Connie Nyholm. “Every year it pulls in bigger and better donations than the year before and with Dave’s generous offer, the auction should be the best one yet.” The chance to ride in an historic sports racer isn’t the only attraction. Every car that participates will receive an 8×10 photograph, taken during the day, of the car on track, courtesy F&S Enterprises, the track’s official photographers. “We want to give something back,” said F&S manager Nancy Sinnott. “The track and community give us so much enjoyment that in comparison this seems only a small gesture. Holiday Laps is a part of the seasonal charity fund-raising effort by WAKG/WBTM and VIR. WAKG and WBTM hold on-air auctions of prizes and services to raise funds for the local Salvation Army, with VIR just one of many area businesses contributing to the cause, joined at Holiday Laps by Car clubs from as far as 100 miles away. Some of these clubs’ members drive session after session, filling a pickup truck bed with donated toys. “It’s just amazing to know they’re willing to help us out,” said Captain Allen Tanner of the Salvation Army last year. “This allows us to take what we saved from not having to purchase items for those who don’t get adopted on ‘Angel Trees’ and get additional things for families in the area.” In 2007, Steve Fitzpatrick, president of the Heart of Carolina Mustang Club from Raleigh, N.C., presented Captain Tanner with a check for $500, representing an additional donation from that club, beyond their Holiday Laps payments. “We’ve upped our contribution each year,” Fitzpatrick said. “This is something we can all support.” VIR’s Oak Tree Tavern, the restaurant in the 1840s Plantation Club House, will be open to the public that evening, as it is every week, Thursday through Sunday. The Club House features fun dining in the full-service restaurant and the Irish-style Connie’s Pub. Reservations are accepted but not required by calling 434.822.7700, ext. 330. The auctions by WAKG and WBTM include prizes consisting of race weekend tickets and nights in the Lodge at VIR, with proceeds from the sales benefiting the charities. VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Virginia. Reopened in 2000, VIR hosts a wide range professional and amateur auto and motorcycle racing and track events, and is well established as “America’s Motorsport Resort.” In addition to its historic 3.27 mile natural-terrain road racing circuit, VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club, America’s first motorsports country club; the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park and Motorsports Technology Park, which includes the Virginia Institute for Performance Engineering and Research (“VIPER”); the Plantation Valley Kart Track, a 5/8 mile paved natural terrain karting circuit; an expanding variety of on-site lodging (including 45 hotel rooms and the trackside Villas which are for sale); Camp Motorsport for enthusiasts of all ages; and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation Clubhouse. For information on the track and other event schedules, call 434-822-7700 or check our web site at www.virclub.com.