Ryan Handy One Lap; Alzheimers Memory Walk and Holiday Laps Just the Tip of the Iceberg
DANVILLE, VA – VIRginia International Raceway management and
staff all believe that being a good citizen involves a lot more than
merely paying taxes and voting. The famed race track supports a wide
variety of charitable events during the year, with the recent Sportscar
Vintage Racing Association’s Fall Fling hosting arguably the most
significant event of the weekend in the Ryan Handy One Lap of VIR fund
raising walk of the track
Young Ryan , fifteen year-old son of race driver and vintage shop owner Dave Handy, passed away suddenly on Christmas Day last year. The One Lap was staged in his memory to raise funds for the Victory Junction Gang Camp at Level Cross, N.C. The camp, one of Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang chain of camps, was founded by Kyle and Patti Petty, after their son Adam died in a crash at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in May, 2000. The fourth-generation racer had already started the process of establishing the camp and those plans were continued by his parents.
With nineteen walkers, the SASCO/Ryan’s Rockers team raised the most money by far in the event, over $8,600. Eight teams registered in the event, which raised over $15,000 initially, with more continuing to flow in. A raffle at the event raised nearly $2,000 to bring the total to the $18,000 mark.
“We certainly want to support the community, whether it’s through events like the One Lap, the coming Memory Walk event for the Alzheimer’s Foundation, or our November 14 ‘Holiday Laps,’” said track Managing Partner Connie Nyholm. “The communities around the track have supported our efforts in restoring the track and we try to repay that support every way we can.”
At a promotion of the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk at VIR during the SVRA event, money was raised to support the Alzheimer’s Association’s activities and also to promote the upcoming Memory Walk. Fans who made generous donations to the Alzheimer’s Association received rides in race cars on the VIR circuit driven by experienced racers.
VIR’s biggest single day event in support of the communities around the track is Holiday Laps, the popular charity fund-raising event, which arrives a couple of weeks early for 2008. Friday, November 14 will see fans and guests allowed to drive the historic 3.27-mile road course for a donation of $25 in new toys, non-perishable foods or cash.
This year’s Holiday Laps will be the kickoff event in the seasonal charity drive supporting the Salvation Army by WBTM-AM and WAKG-FM. Last year’s event took in a total of $12,075, including on-air auctions for various items.
“We look forward to this event every year,” continued Connie Nyholm. “The track staff derive a lot of enjoyment from this in many ways, from watching the smiles on people’s faces, to being able to participate in a great fund raising event, to helping fans discover something of what it’s like on the other side of the rail, we all get a lot of fun out of the day.”
Car clubs come from over 100 miles away, bringing their cars out to participate, sometimes driving session after session and filling a pickup truck bed with donated toys.
“It’s just amazing to know they’re willing to help us out,” said Captain Allen Tanner of the Salvation Army last year. “This allows us to take what we saved from not having to purchase items for those who don’t get adopted on ‘Angel Trees’ and get additional things for families in the area.”
In 2007, Steve Fitzpatrick, president of the Heart of Carolina Mustang Club from Raleigh, N.C., presented Captain Tanner with a check for $500, representing an additional donation from that club, beyond their Holiday Laps payments. “We’ve upped our contribution each year,” Fitzpatrick said. “This is something we can all support.”
For a $25 donation, or the equivalent in non-perishable food items or new toys, drivers of any safe road car, truck or van can drive VIR and experience the thrill of driving on the same track where some of the world’s best race drivers and motorcycle riders compete all year long.
VIR’s Oak Tree Tavern, the restaurant in the 1840s Plantation Club House, will be open to the public that evening, as it is every week, Thursday through Sunday. The Club House features fun dining in the full-service restaurant and the Irish-style Connie’s Pub. Reservations are accepted but not required by calling 434.822.7700, ext. 330.
The auctions by WAKG and WBTM include prizes consisting of race weekend tickets and nights in the Lodge at VIR, with proceeds from the sales benefiting the charities.
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.
For information on the track and other event schedules, call 434-822-7700 or check our web site at www.virclub.com.
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