DANVILLE, VA -: Holiday Laps, VIRginia International Raceway’s popular charity fund-raising event, arrives on Friday, November 14 — a couple of weeks early for 2008. As always, fans and guests are allowed to drive the historic 3.27-mile road course for a donation of $25 in new toys, non-perishable foods or cash. This year’s Holiday Laps kicks off the annual charity drive in support of the Salvation Army by WBTM-AM and WAKG-FM. 2007’s event took in a total of $12,075, including on-air auctions for various items. “Every year we look forward to Holiday Laps,” said track Managing Partner Connie Nyholm. “Our great staff get a lot of enjoyment from this in many ways, from watching the smiles on people’s faces, to being able to participate in a great fund raising event, to helping fans discover something of what it’s like on the other side of the rail, we all get a lot of fun out of the day.” Car clubs from over 100 miles away participate, sometimes driving session after session and 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.” “Watching people bring their cars for the VIR Holiday Laps here is just as special as watching the great modern and vintage race cars that we get to see at VIR every year,” added Nyholm. “The program lets us give fans a taste of life on the other side of the rail and help the local communities at the same time. We’d like for everyone to be able to experience VIR from the other side of the fence.” For their $25 donation, or the equivalent in non-perishable food items or new toys, drivers of any safe road car, truck or van can drive VIR and at least partially experience the thrill of driving on the same track where some of the world’s best race drivers and motorcycle riders compete all year long. Donors in each of the past six years have helped others while experiencing a thrill to last a lifetime. 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.