Charity Challenge on horizon

The final major event of Sonoma Raceway’s 2014 season is just eight days away, with the Classic Sports Racing Group’s 11th straight Charity Challenge weekend taking place on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4 and 5.

With the proceeds benefiting the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, the charitable arm of the raceway, the Charity Challenge will feature approximately 200 vintage racecars.

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The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series recently finalized its 2015 racing package after more than a year of extensive collaboration with stakeholders throughout the industry, and fans are expected to benefit from closer racing and more opportunities for drivers to pass on the track.

Highlighting the NASCAR package are nearly 60 enhancements, including adjustments to the power train, aerodynamics and chassis that are designed to work in concert to deliver drivers more flexibility and teams more adjustability.

Two of the changes will affect the Sprint Cup Series’ first road-course race of 2015, the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 26 through 28, including NASCAR working alongside Goodyear to introduce rain tires should conditions warrant during road-course events in 2015. Cup teams will be required to have wipers, a defogger and a rear flashing light installed in case of inclement weather.

Also, NASCAR will continue its popular group-qualifying procedure at all events in 2015, including the Daytona 500, with slight adjustments to the format. Road-course qualifying will consist of one 25-minute session, followed by a final 10-minute session.

NASCAR will also institute a shorter rear spoiler in its package, which includes a reduction of engine power, lower rear differential gear ratios and an optional driver adjustable track bar.

Additional changes for the 2015 rules include the elimination of team-facilitated private testing, with race teams being instead invited to participate in NASCAR/Goodyear tests throughout the season. For a complete overview of the 2015 rule changes, visit www.nascar.com.

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Sonoma Raceway’s popular Wednesday Night Drags program, which includes the motorsport of drifting and the featured “Top the Cops,” continues every Wednesday evening through Nov. 13.

Designed to help take illegal racing off the streets and bring it to a safe, legal and controlled environment, the “Top the Cops” program allows high school students the opportunity to drag race against law enforcement officers, who will be driving their squad cars.

The Wednesday Night Drags are open to anyone with a driver’s license, who can race any vehicle or motorcycle they bring to the world-famous quarter-mile drag strip, provided it passes a simple tech inspection.

Gates open for “Drag and Drift” at 3:30, time runs begin at 4, and the racing takes place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. – drifting from 4 to 10 p.m. – with the Wednesday Night Drags costing $25 for competitors, $15 for students with a high school ID and $10 for spectators. Season-long passes are also available, and children ages 12 years old and under, and parking, are free. The drifting costs are $40 for pre-registration and $50 at the gate.

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For more details on the CSRG Charity Challenge, NASCAR, the Wednesday Night Drags or for general Sonoma Raceway information, call 800-870-RACE (7223) or visit csrgracing.org, racesonoma.com or ticketmaster.com. Camping is also available for all major events.