NHRA News: Fans, Cory Mac rule NHRA Tour de Charity race (3/28/2004)

Fans, Cory Mac rule NHRA Tour de Charity race

3/28/2004

Cory McClenathan

Thirty-six lucky race fans traded high-speed thrills and lots of smiles with top stars from the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Saturday at the Infineon Raceway Karting Center during the sold-out second annual NHRA Tour de Charity.

The event, which pitted race fans against NHRA drivers for a day of karting on the 16-turn road course, raised nearly $12,000 for Speedway Children's Charities, the charitable arm of Infineon Raceway. All proceeds will benefit needy youth organizations in Sonoma County, California. Approximately 200 people attended the event, including the 36 lucky fans that raced.

"This has been an awesome day," said Vacaville resident Mark Quigley. "My wife surprised me with this today and it's been a blast. I'm having a great time, but we're also helping the charity and that's great. Heck, I want to find a job here now."

Cory Mac was all business on the racetrack.

The Jim Russell Racing Drivers School, which operates the karting center, provided the karts, race suits, classroom instruction, and on-track pointers for all competitors. Everyone competed in 100cc sprint karts capable of top speeds of 70 mph. NHRA POWERade drivers Gary Scelzi, David Baca, and Cory McClenathan participated in the event.

Scelzi, Baca, and Cory Mac signed autographs throughout the day and donated memorabilia for a raffle. They also competed in a 10-lap feature race to determine the "King of the Track," along with JR Hildebrand, an accomplished 16-year-old karter from Sausalito. Hildebrand is a graduate racer from the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School.

McClenathan won the "King of the Track" title, turning the best lap over the 16-turn, three-quarter mile track. McClenathan clocked in at 55.295 seconds and was followed by Scelzi (56.877) and Baca (56.989).

"Things have been stressful the last couple weeks so it was great to spend a day karting," McClenathan said. "I think I learned more about how better to chase Gary and David around the track than anything else. I'd do this again in a heartbeat."

Race fans also had their own private 10-lap feature race at the end of the day, with Roseville's Ron Perkins taking top honors. Each participant made a donation of $350 for the day of karting and fun, which also included a catered lunch and raffle with prizes donated from teams on the NHRA POWERade circuit, as well as the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School.

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