VIR ‘Holiday Laps’ Another Big Success DANVILLE, Va. The 2007 edition of VIRginia International Raceway’s “Holiday Laps” to benefit the Salvation Army became another huge success. This year’s Holiday Laps raised a total of $12,075 when combined with the on-air auctions held by WBTM-FM and WAKG-AM Thursday before the track day. The charity drive includes donations of food and toys, with this year’s drive almost doubling last year’s food and toy donations, a total value of $3,890. “It’s just amazing to know they’re willing to help us out,” said Captain Allen Tanner of the Salvation Army. “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.” 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. “We’ve upped our contribution each year,” Fitzpatrick said. “This is something we can all support.” Holiday Laps allows anyone who donates $25 in cash, toys or non-perishable food to drive around the famed race track, under controlled conditions and behind a pace car, for 20-minute sessions. Drivers and motorcycle riders all return to the pits after their sessions with broad smiles, knowing that they’ve just had an experience that usually only racers can have. Adding to that experience is the joy of knowing that they have helped someone less fortunate. The track also held a raffle, for a pair of season passes to 2008 spectator events. Tickets for this raffle added to the total raised for charity. The winner of the pair of tickets, Laura Carter of Reidsville, N.C., will receive her tickets in the mail in time for Christmas. F&S Enterprises, VIR’s photographers, donated 8×10 photos of every driver on the track during the day. Season passes to VIR’s major events are only $250, through Jan 4, 2008. These special passes include parking at all events, making a sweet deal even sweeter. After January 4 the season ticket price increases to $350. 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. VIR’s calendar for 2008 includes a new Sports Car Club of America double national race April 18-20; the return of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototypes, plus supporting events, April 26-28; the “Wings and Wheels” air and car show joins the vintage cars of the Heacock Classic Gold Cup Historic Races weekend, June 6-8. The AMA Big Kahuna Superbike National on August 15-17; GT Live and the KONI Challenge bring a combination of motorcycle stunts, drifting, track attack and endurance sports car races; all combined with a variety of amateur and vintage road racing throughout the year. The season ends with the US Kart Grand Prix, December 12-14. For information on the track and other event schedules, call 434-822-7700 or check our web site at www.virclub.com.