Drivers can zip along the speedway track to raise funds for kids

Ever dream of taking the turns at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway? On Jan. 29 drivers will have a rare opportunity to circle the track while helping out local children.

The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charity's Laps For Charity event will allow drivers to take three laps around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway's 1.5-mile track at speeds up to 75 miles per hour for a $30 donation. For an additional $20, drivers can do another three laps.

"This is a very cool event," said Paulette Anderson, director of the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities. "People really loved it last year."

Anderson said that they had expected 200 to 300 cars for last year's inaugural event and were delighted and surprised when more than 800 drivers participated.

"Whether they're race car fans or not, people get a kick out of being on the speedway," Anderson said.

Drivers don't go the route alone, but they aren't racing, either. They drive single file around the 51-foot-wide track.

"We put people in groups of 20 or 30, and they follow a pace car around the track," Anderson said. "We have a victory circle, and Cashman Photo is there to take pictures of people afterwards."

Jeff Motley, vice president of public relations for Las Vegas Motor Speedway, said the track is prepared the same way it is for race day and added that it would feel much like driving on a local highway but with a very smooth surface.

"The first thing that surprises people when they're going down the straightaway is how steep the bank ahead of them is," Motley said. "The banking is 20 degrees, and it looks pretty intimidating."

According to Motley, the pace car will probably be driven by a speedway employee, as it was last year, and a second car will be run to queue up the next group to keep the process flowing.

"Granted, they're not going the same speed the NASCAR guys do, but they get the sensation of going down the straightaway, up the bank, and it's pretty exhilarating," Motley said. "We had a really positive response from everyone last year, and we hope to keep doing it."

Drivers participating in the event must be 18, and any passengers must be at least 6. The vehicles must be street-
legal and have a current inspection sticker. Other than that, the event is fairly open, so it wouldn't be impossible to see a classic muscle car cruising around the track beside the Griswolds' faux wood station wagon from the "Vacation" movies and a Mini Cooper.

The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities has been here since 1999, and it has distributed $1.7 million to children's charities in Southern Nevada.

It granted $260,000 to 47 local children's causes during its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 13. The nonprofit organization raises funds throughout the year with a variety of events, including a Texas hold 'em poker tournament at the Stratosphere, a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo celebrity bowling tournament and the Glittering Lights drive-through holiday display.

For more information or to sign up for the event, visit scclasvegas.org or call 632-8242.

Contact Sunrise/Whitney View reporter F. Andrew Taylor at ataylor@viewnews.com or 380-4532.