DANVILLE, VA. VIRginia International Raceway, “America’s Motorsports Resort,” is once again hosting the track’s annual Holiday Laps charity event on Friday, December 7. Benefiting the Salvation Army and area children’s charities, the event allows donors to drive around one of America’s best race tracks and benefit local charities at the same time. “This sixth Holiday Laps day is one of our favorite events every year,” said track Managing Partner Connie Nyholm. “We always look for ways we can repay the communities around us and this is just one of those ways. The looks on faces as people pull into the pits after their laps tell a lot about how big a thrill this track is to drive. “There are a lot of great modern and vintage race cars that we get to see at VIR every year, but to watch these street cars come out for the VIR Holiday Laps is just as special. The program means a lot to us because we can give fans a taste of life on the other side of the rail and help others at the same time. We invite everyone to come out and see VIR from the other side of the fence. For a donation of only $25, or the equivalent in toys or non-perishable foods, drivers of any road car, truck or van are eligible to lap VIR and experience, at least partially, the thrill of driving on the same track that some of the world’s best race drivers and motorcycle riders compete on all year long. The generous donors who participated last year had a great time and helped the communities’ needy at the same time. VIR’s Oak Tree Tavern, the restaurant in the 1840s era Plantation Club House, will be open to the public that evening as it is every week Thursday through Sunday, with hours to expand next year. The Plantation features fun dining in the full-service restaurant along with Connie’s Pub. Reservations are accepted but not required by calling 434.822.7700, ext. 330. Last year’s Holiday Laps attracted hundreds of cars, many from Raleigh-area Miata and Mustang clubs, earning $6610 in cash and approximately $2,000 in food and toys at the track, plus $3450 from two auctions for race tickets and other VIR-related amenities broadcast on WAKG and WBTM, for a total of $12,060, more than a 203-percent increase over 2005 and surpassing the year’s goal by nearly 60 percent. An auction by WAKG and WBTM for prizes including race weekend tickets and nights in the Lodge at VIR is being held also, with the proceeds going to the charities. The Plantation Valley Kart Track will be open all day, allowing guests who want to try something a little faster the opportunity to drive the karts on our 5/8ths mile kart track. First opened in 1957, VIR’s first feature race was won by legendary racer and car builder Carroll Shelby. In the years since, VIR has seen stirring drives by some of the best road racers in the world, in cars and on motorcycles. 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 the “Wings and Wheels” air and car show combined with the Historic Sportscar Racing vintage weekend, March 21-23; a new Sports Car Club of America double-national race April 18-20; the April 26-28return of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototypes, plus supporting events; the Stock Car Open Test Day on May 28; The AMA Big Kahuna Superbike National on August 15-17; the October 3-5 GT Live and the KONI Challenge which brings 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. For information on the track and other event schedules, call 434-822-7700 or check our web site at www.virclub.com.