‘Rush of a lifetime’ at Sonoma Raceway

Charity track rides take center stage during this weekend’s 16th annual Classic Sports Racing Group (CSRG) Charity Challenge. Fans can pick their dream ride from a variety of vintage race cars, including Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Morgan, Porsche, Lotus, Corvette, BMW and Mini Cooper, among others.

“If you want the super-sized, mind-blowing rush of a lifetime, and have it be a feel good moment as well, look no further than the 16th annual CSRG Charity Challenge,” said CSRG President Locke de Bretteville. “At midday on both days, attendees can purchase a three-lap ride in one of the vintage race cars in return for a donation to the Sonoma Chapter of the Speedway Children’s Charities, and we hope to surpass the miracle $1 million mark.”

The experience includes three thrilling laps around Sonoma Raceway’s road course on Saturday and Sunday. Rides start at just $75 (a tax-deductible donation) and go up for bid at 9 a.m. each day. The rides sell out quickly, so arrive at the track early to reserve your spot.

Charity ride participants must be at least 16 years old and wear a long-sleeve shirt, pants and closed-toe shoes to ride. The rides are slated to begin at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday and 12:50 p.m. on Sunday.

More than 260 vintage race cars will hit the track throughout the weekend on the 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course. The event will feature vintage Formula cars, Prototype and Production sports cars and IMSA cars spanning from the 1930s through the 1980s.

The vintage racing organization hopes to raise $1 million for Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC), Oct. 5-6. Since 2004, this event has generated more than $960,000 for the Sonoma chapter of SCC.

The beneficiary of race weekend, the Sonoma chapter of SCC, is the charitable arm of Sonoma Raceway and is dedicated to raising money for Sonoma County youth organizations. SCC has distributed more than $6.4 million since 2001. For more information on the Classic Sports Racing Group Charity Challenge, visit www.charityracing.org.