You can sure tell it's racing season here at the track!

June began with the Historic Race Car Festival at Sebastiani Winery during our Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival weekend. Due to the late spring rains, we decided to move the event from the Sonoma Plaza, as to not further damage the lawn. It turned out to be a wonderful event with a record turn out.

Funds from this event will be divided between the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation and the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau. Also going on over the weekend was the Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival and the 2nd annual Celebrate Sonoma Day.

Kicking off the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend was the Children’s Champions Grand Marshall’s Banquet on Friday, June 18 at Cline Cellars. This year’s Grand Marshall was legendary San Francisco 49ers running back, Roger Craig. In addition, the evening also featured NASCAR drivers David Ragan, Clint Bowyer, and Boris Said. Funds from the banquet will be divided between Speedway Children’s Charities and Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley. On Sunday, the 8th annual KFOX Race-n-Rock Charity Auction generated $35,000. Top selling items included a Jeff Gordon signed fire suit which sold for $2,500, a Dale Earnhardt Jr signed helmet ($2,200) plus a Brooks & Dunn signed guitar ($2,050). SCC also generated funds over the weekend from fans who made a donation to ride the new Ferris Wheel at the track, as well as the sale of tickets for the Kasey Kahne guitar raffle. All combined, the weekend events raised more than $130,000!

Coming up next is the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals Full Throttle Drag Series from July 16 – 18. Thursday, July 15 marks the 4th annual Autotrader.com Eric Medlen Nitro Night at the Stone Tree Golf Club in Novato. This is a new location for the event which is named in memory of drag racer Eric Medlen who succumbed to injuries sustained from a testing accident in 2007. SCC will also be the recipient of funds donated at the Eric Medlen Ice Cream Social, which takes place on Sunday at the conclusion of the races.

A bit of sad news, Bob Burke from Bob Burke’s Kids in Guerneville passed away on June 10th. His sister plans to continue the program, which SCC has funded, that helps kids with terminal illnesses.

Think that brings you up to date for now………….

Denise Silver
Director, Sonoma Chapter
Infineon Raceway

23 lucky race fans will get the chance for a "Ride of a Lifetime" with their favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver!

Things are moving very fast here in the Wine Country as we get ready for the Toyota/SaveMart 350 from June 18-20. You won’t want to miss our Race-n-Rock Auction in the Wine Country Winner’s Circle on Sunday, June 20, at 10 am.

Right now you have a chance to be part of our auction as twenty-three lucky race fans will get the chance for a “Ride of a Lifetime” with their favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver.

The best part is all proceeds from the “Ride of a Lifetime” will benefit Speedway Children’s Charities, the charitable arm of Infineon Raceway, as well as participating driver charities.

You can take part in the festivities on race day in Sonoma by placing the top bid in an online charity auction at www.nascarfoundation.com. Once on the site, click on the “online auction” button to join the fun.

If you are the top bidder, you will receive two tickets to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 on Sunday, June 20, plus you (one person) will get to take a slow-speed lap with your NASCAR driver around the 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course during driver introductions. Both the driver and the top bidder will be in the back of a Toyota Tundra as it navigates the road course. You’ll also get to enjoy pre-race ceremonies from the racetrack itself.

The bidding closes the afternoon of June 13 (Pacific time). Check the Web-site for exact times. Some of the drivers up for bid include:

• Jeff Gordon
• Dale Earnhardt Jr.
• Jimmie Johnson
• Tony Stewart
• Mark Martin
• Kasey Kahne, defending race champion
• Carl Edwards
• Denny Hamlin
• Kyle Busch
• More!

For more information, visit www.nascarfoundation.com and click on the “online auction” button. The Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities has distributed more than $3.3 million to qualified Sonoma County youth groups since 2002.

Denise Silver
Director, Infineon Raceway SCC

We are gearing up for a busy season here in the wine country!

The Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities has 11 events lined up for the 2010 race season.  From the Grand Marshal's Banquet to a memorial ice cream social.  We are gearing up for one of our busiest seasons yet.  AND for the extreme race fans  - an  EXTRA  BONUS . . .

The weekend of April 9^th is sure to be something special. The Classic Sports Racing Group (CSRG), which donates all of their race weekend proceeds to the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities, will host their first of two race weekends at Infineon Raceway. The HISTORIC RACE CAR weekend will celebrate the 100^th Anniversary of Alpha Romeo with a display featuring many of these one of a kind classics. CSRG has donated more than $425,000 to our chapter since 2002.

Our first charity event of the season will be the 8^th Annual NHRA Tour de Charity Karting Event on Saturday, April 24th.   NHRA drag racing fans will have the opportunity to battle on the Infineon Raceway 16-turn, three-quarter mile karting track against top NHRA drivers including well-known funny car driver Ron Capps. 
**And as an EXTRA BONUS - The first 50 fans who register will have a reserved seat in the action packed day, which includes a full day of karting with the drivers, classroom instruction, autographs, lunch and the chance to compete in a 10-lap timed race for the grand prize. Contact me to sign up. 

Next on the calendar will be the 3J's Motorcycle Track Day on Wednesday, May 12th.
- Bring your bike and enjoy a full track day on our road course!
- You will also receive an event T-shirt, catered lunch and enjoy a reception at the end of the day.
- Also included will be the chance to win some great raffle prizes.
For more information, visit http://www.3jsmotorcycledays.com/. 

Listed below is the complete list of events lined up for the 2010 Race Season at Infineon Speedway.   We look forward to seeing many of you out at the track!

Sonoma Chapter Calendar of Events

APRIL
- NHRA Tour De Charity Karting Day   - Saturday, April 24th at 9:00am
MAY
- 3J's Motorcycle Track Day   - Wednesday, May 12th at 8:00am
- "Ride of A Lifetime" Pre-Race Parade Lap Online Auction  - beginning Sunday, May 30th and ending Sunday, June 13th
JUNE                                           
- Historic Race Car Festival   - Saturday, June 5th
- Wine Country Pavilion  - Saturday, June 5th thru Sunday, June 6th
- Children's Champions NASCAR Grand Marshal's Banquet   - Friday, June 18th
- Race-n-Rock Charity Auction at NASCAR Weekend   - Sunday, June 20th 
- Speedway Children's Charities Toyota / Save Mart 350 Track Walk   - Sunday, June 20th
JULY
- AutoTrader.com Eric Medlen Nitro Night  -  Thursday, July 15th   
- 4th Annual Eric Medlen Ice Cream Social   -  Friday, July 18th at 1:00pm
AUGUST              
- IndyCar® Grand Prix Salute   - Friday, August 20th
- IndyCar® Sonoma Charity Auction   - Sunday, August 22nd
OCTOBER
- Classic Sports Racing Group Charity Challenge   - Friday, October 1st  thru  Sunday, October 3rd             

I think that gets us to June and NASCAR.............STAY TUNED!  More on that in my next chapter chatter!

Denise Silver
dsilver@infineonraceway.com
707-933-3950

Summer Success

Over the Toyota/SaveMart weekend in June the Infineon Raceway chapter of SCC raised more than $120,000!

The weekend got off to a great start at Cline Cellars with over 400 people attending the Children's Champions Grand Marshall's Banquet. Guests enjoyed award- winning Sonoma Valley wines and a gourmet dinner plus a program that included the introduction of Ken Stabler as Grand Marshall. The evening also featured a Q & A with NASCAR drivers Marcos Ambrose, David Ragan and Boris Said.

Next on the schedule was the 7th annual charity auction on race day. Some of the items auctioned off included a signed Dale Earnhardt Jr custom made quilt, a custom Snap-on toolbox and a Tony Stewart signed piece of sheet metal. In addition, our chapter of SCC partnered with the Kasey Kahne Foundation and raised more than $25,000 at a drawing of an Orange County Chopper custom motorcycle. Kasey Kahne came to the Wine Country Winner's Circle and picked the winning ticket.

Our last event of the weekend was a Track Walk which was held after the Sunday race which raised an additional $1,200.

Now it's on to July with the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals Full Throttle Racing Series. The third annual Eric Medlen Nitro Night will take place on Thursday, July 23 at the Fior d'Italia restaurant in San Francisco and will feature NHRA drivers Ashley Force Hood, Jack Beckman, and Morgan Lucas. This event is very popular so if you would like to join us, please contact me at dsilver@infineonraceway.com  or 707-933-3950.

That's about all for now.

Denise Silver
Director, Infineon Raceway SCC

Busy times…………..

The weekend of the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown proved to be successful for the Infineon Raceway chapter of SCC!

More than $6,000 was raised between the 6th annual SCC Motorcycle Charity auction and the first-ever Scooter Raffle. The auction featured over 30 items with the top sellers being two Leo Vince exhaust systems and an original painting by Santa Rosa artist Dana Tyrell. Over $2,000 was raised from the sold out Scooter Raffle. A local race fan had the winning ticket which was drawn from 2,500 entries.

Next on the calendar is the Wine Country Classic Historic Car Races, May 30-31! We will have two separate charity events going on. On Saturday, the Vintage Race Car Festival will be held in the historic Sonoma Plaza. This is a very popular charity event and is attended by people of all ages who enjoy seeing beautiful vintage cars. The event begins at the raceway and vintage cars travel by highway patrol escort into town where the vintage cars are on display. Of course, every event in the wine country has to have good food and great wine! Local restaurants and wineries participate with tastings and pourings for those who wish to indulge.

Speaking of food and wine............the Wine Country Classic is also going on this weekend at the raceway as well. There will be race cars dating back to 1916 participating in 10 separate categories racing all day. The weekend will also featured the Wine Country Pavilion serving tastings from several Napa and Sonoma Valley restaurants and wineries. All proceeds from the pavilion will go to Speedway Children's Charities.

In addition, Sunday will be Celebrate Sonoma Day at the raceway with local businesses and residents getting a VIP experience.

I think that brings you up to speed for now.

Denise Silver
Director
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, CA

Zooming Around…………..

When the Northern California motorcycle community gets together at Infineon Raceway, a good time is had by all.

The 3J's Motorcycle Track Days group was created by Infineon Raceway's VP of facilities, Jere Starks and some of his friends, who are also avid motorcyclists. Over the past six years, this group has raised more than $225,000 for Speedway Children's Charities.

This year, the weather was perfect for the 3J's Motorcycle Track Day event. More than 100 riders participated and were treated to a full day traversing the twists and turns of our track. The day also included lunch, raffle and a "post ride" reception. More than $27,000 was raised for SCC as well as the North Vallejo Little League, whose offices were vandalized in early March when all their equipment and uniforms were stolen.

I am now getting ready for our AMA charity auction, which will take place in the Wine Country Winner's Circle on Sunday, May 17 of the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown weekend. The high bidders will take home signed memorabilia as well as original art and professional photos.
I think that brings you up to date for now.

Denise Silver
Director
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, CA

Here's what's going on!

Hard to believe that Spring is here and we are in the midst of a very busy season.

We kicked off the Sonoma-chapter calendar with the 7th annual Tour de Charity karting event in March, which was a huge success. The day included a full day of karting on the 16-turn, three-quarter mile kart track, catered lunch, and a raffle, plus a "NHRA Experience" grand prize. In addition, NHRA drag racers David Baca and Rod Fuller volunteered their time for a day of pictures, autographs, and racing. The event raised more than $12,000, bringing the seven- year total to more than $76,000.

We currently have two special drawings going on. In addition to the Kasey Kahne chopper (complete info below) we also have a spiffy scooter that some lucky winner can take home on Sunday, May 17, after the Kawasaki AMA Super Showdown. SCC volunteer Mick Tapparo donated the scooter. Tickets are only $1.00, six for $5.00 and 13 for $10.00. Needless to say, at this price, sales are brisk!

I am currently getting ready to visit several organizations that we funded in 2008, and am attending a conference dealing with childhood obesity and will keep you posted.

Think that brings you up to speed for now.

Denise Silver
Director
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, CA

Spread the word

We do a number of charity-based events here at Infineon Raceway, but I'm real excited about the Kasey Kahne Custom Chopper Raffle.

The guys from Orange County Choppers built this custom chopper for Kasey and it has been sitting in a warehouse in North Carolina for a few years. I caught wind of this after chatting with one of Kasey's business guys, and we put together this deal.

It's a pretty awesome chopper and the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities will benefit from 50-percent of all raffle ticket sales. We've made it inexpensive for race fans as raffle tickets are just $9 each, which is the number on Kasey's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car.

Kasey will pick the winning raffle ticket in the Wine Country Winner's Circle on Sunday of our Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR weekend, Sunday, June 21. It should be pretty exciting. It's the first program we've put together with a specific NASCAR driver, but I hope it won't be the last. It's been a great experience.

With any luck, we can sell 5,000 raffle tickets for the chopper! If interested, be sure and call the raceway at 800-870-RACE. More than happy to sell you some tickets. Be sure and spread the word.

That's about it for now! See you soon.

John Cardinale
VP of Marketing/Communications
Infineon Raceway
(Also, SCC Board Member)

It is truly an honor to be a member of the Sonoma Chapter Board of Trustees

The work that the chapter does has such an impact on the Sonoma County community, and each year I see that impact expand.

Each year, many of the board members do a site visit to one or more of the funded groups. I love to see the programs in action. It really makes all the difference to see where the grant money goes and how it comes to life.

Last year during my site visit, I witnessed children learning how to clean a creek bed, write poetry about how important it is to protect the outdoors and draw pictures about the creek and what it means to them to spend the day learning about the plants and habitat in the area. The group was efficient and organized, which made me feel confident that the funds raised each year go to the best programs possible.

I have also been fortunate enough to be a part of several events that the Sonoma Chapter holds. Each event is so unique and it really is a great way to give people the opportunity to meet and greet drivers and offer them chances of a lifetime, whether it be unique signed memorabilia or a ride around the track with a driver.
It is through the hard work of Speedway Children's Charities that we are able to make dreams come true both for youth groups in Sonoma County and for the fans who participate in the wonderful opportunities that Speedway Children's Charities provides.

Jennifer Imbimbo
Manager, Media and Community Relations
Infineon Raceway

It is truly an honor to be part of the fabric of our community through Speedway Children's Charities

Working with Speedway Children's Charities and supporting youth groups in Sonoma County is truly among the highlights of my year.

We work hard to raise funds for distribution through our chapter, but the most rewarding part is witnessing the difference we're able to make for deserving organizations.

Each year when I visit groups we've supported with a grant, I get to see what an impact we can make in the lives of children. I've seen third-grade students paying rapt attention to a teacher as they created PowerPoint presentations on computers we helped purchase. I've seen children reading books and enjoying story time at a library we helped support. I got goosebumps during every visit!

It is truly an honor to be part of the fabric of our community through Speedway Children's Charities. The non-profit groups in Sonoma County admire our work and appreciate our efforts to support them. It may be easiest to count our accomplishments in dollars, but our biggest impact is the number of smiles we create and the difference we make in the lives of so many children, and I'm proud to be a part of it.

Diana Brennan
Senior Manager, Media & Community Relations
Infineon Raceway