Veteran Stock Car Drivers to Race for a Cause During Annual Family-Friendly Event
Danville, Virginia – Sept. 10, 2018 – VIRginia International Raceway is welcoming iconic racing stars to its top-rated road course for the SVRA American Racing Legends Charity Pro-Am Race, which is joining the track’s annual Heacock Classic Gold Cup weekend, Sept. 21-23. The event will feature veteran stock car, open-wheel and sportscar racing legends competing in a field of classic era muscle cars; three full days of racing event; and over 200 vintage race cars across several classes.
The American Racing Legends Charity Pro-Am presented by RACER Magazine, which takes place Saturday, Sept. 22, will showcase drivers including NASCAR Cup Champions Bill Elliott and Bobby Labonte, Daytona 500 winner Ward Burton and his son Jeb, Ray Evernham, Greg Biffle, Ron Hornaday Jr., Mike Skinner, Boris Said, Al Unser Jr., Dorsey Schroeder, Ron Fellows, Wally Dallenbach, Jr. and more. All proceeds from the 50-minute race will benefit IGNITE, the Autism Society of North Carolina’s community center for young adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s syndrome, which was founded by crew chief Ray Evernham and his family.
“VIR offers the perfect track for these NASCAR legends to show off their racing skills in a new venue, said Tony Parella, CEO of SVRA. “The action will be nonstop as spectators watch classic era muscle cars take on the course’s drastic elevation changes and notorious ‘climbing esses.’ We are proud to support such a worthy cause through this race, and look forward to seeing racing fans at the track later this month!
The three-day event also brings back VIR’s annual Heacock Classic Gold Cup Historic Races and Car Show, featuring over 200 vintage race cars across several classes ranging from nearly 100 years ago to as recent as five years ago. Additionally, racing action includes the Professional Trans-Am Series presented by Pirelli, and its four classes of modern race cars. Fans can also enjoy testing, qualifying, “Show and Shine” car corrals, driver autograph sessions and more throughout the weekend.
“We are honored to host the SVRA Charity Pro-Am race during the Heacock Classic Gold Cup weekend at VIR,” said Connie Nyholm, owner and CEO of VIR. “This race is the perfect addition to an already exhilarating three-day event, and we’re thrilled to welcome some of the biggest names in NASCAR history to our track. We can’t wait to see racing fans of all ages join in on the excitement this September.”
Advanced tickets for the Heacock Classic Gold Cup Historic Races weekend are $10 for Saturday or Sunday-only, $15 for a two-day ticket, and $25 for a three-day ticket. All tickets are an additional $10 if purchased at the gate. All active military members are admitted free of charge and veterans receive a 50 percent discount on tickets. The event includes complimentary parking as well as free admission for children 16 and under with each paying adult. For more information, visit www.VIRnow.com, Facebook or Twitter.
About VIRginia International Raceway
VIRginia International Raceway is one of America’s premier road courses, offering professional and amateur racing for modern and vintage classes while providing contemporary resort amenities. A prominent test facility for the automotive industry, VIR has the distinction of being named one of the top six courses in North America by Car and Driver Magazine, and southern roots and hospitality make it one of the friendliest. Conveniently located at the Virginia/North Carolina border, VIR is just a short two-hour trip from Richmond and about an hour and 15 minutes from both the Piedmont-Triad and Raleigh-Durham International Airports.
VIR offers amenities such as lodging, dining, a spa, an exclusive driver’s club, karting, off-road racing, shooting sports, skid pad and more. VIR’s hospitality features also make the property an unparalleled venue for corporate retreats, team building, special events and other group experiences. For more information, visit www.VIRnow.com, Facebook or Twitter.
About SVRA
The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association is the premier vintage racing organization in the United States. Founded in 1978, SVRA enters its 40th year with over 2,500 active members. It will sanction 13 events in 2018 at some of the finest racing venues in the United States, including: the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sebring, Road America, Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta, Auto Club Speedway, the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Portland International Raceway and Virginia International Raceway. SVRA hosted the first U.S. Vintage Racing National Championships at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas in 2013. Further information on SVRA, a complete annual schedule, and entry lists can be found on the SVRA website. Also be sure to check our Facebook page and YouTube channel which currently boasts a library of over 250 action-packed videos of events.
