15th CSRG Charity Challenge Races to Raise $1 Million for Sonoma County Youth Groups
The Classic Sports Racing Group’s 15th annual Charity Challenge Vintage Car Races at Sonoma Raceway promises to showcase some of the finest vintage race cars all in the name of charity, Oct. 6-7.
Nearly 300 vintage race cars will hit the track for a full weekend of racing on the 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course. The event will feature vintage Formula 1 cars, Formula Fords, pre-war race cars, sports cars spanning from the 1930’s through the 1980’s, up to the more modern Formula Atlantics from the 1970s and production sports cars from the 1950s and ‘60s, as well as a collection of NASCAR stock cars.
Nine different race groups will hit the track for practice and qualifying races on Saturday and main events on Sunday. All proceeds from the weekend benefit Sonoma County youth groups through Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC), the charitable arm of Sonoma Raceway. CSRG has generously contributed more than $920,000 to SCC since 2004, and will race to raise that mark to $1 million over the course of the Charity Challenge.
In addition to the on-track action, race attendees are invited to take a close look at the race cars throughout the paddock and spectators are also allowed to walk amongst the cars as they are staged on-track before a select number of racing groups. The weekend will also include a classic car show featuring Lotus, a motorcycle display of race bikes, classic bikes and custom bikes as well as vintage aircraft flyovers including biplanes, fighters and bombers taking to the sky.
To join in the race to raise $1 million for Sonoma County charities, spectators can enjoy an unforgettable ride around the road course on Saturday and Sunday. For a minimum tax-deductible $75 donation, depending upon the car, fans 16 years and older can take a thrilling, three-lap ride around the road course. Fans can choose from a variety of race cars including Ferrari or Jaguar, Can-Am cars, Corvettes and Mustangs or European sports cars including Alfa Romeo, Mini and Austin Healey, among others. The Charity Track Rides will take place during the lunch break on Saturday and Sunday and always sell out quickly. Sign-ups begin at 9 a.m. each day in the first floor of the John Cardinale Media Center.
Advance-priced tickets for the CSRG Charity Challenge can be purchased online by end of day Sept. 28 for $12 each day or $20 for a two-day pass. Tickets prices rise on September 29 to $25 each day or $40 for a weekend pass. Race weekend is a family-friendly event. Kids 12 years and under, students of all ages as well as military and veterans are admitted free with appropriate identification and parking is free. Fans can also join the spectator grid walk, at no extra cost. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.
For more information on the CSRG Charity Challenge, visit www.CharityRacing.org or visit CSRG’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/csrgracing. For tickets, check the Sonoma Raceway ticket site at www.SonomaRaceway.com/events.
