Indy teaming with Red Cross for Haitian Relief UPDATE: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is teaming with the American Red Cross through an online auction and Brickyard Authentics retail store price reduction to encourage race fans to contribute to relief efforts for Haitian earthquake victims. Thousands were killed and injured when a massive earthquake struck Jan. 12 near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The catastrophic damage destroyed the infrastructure of the capital of the Caribbean island nation, creating an urgent need for funds for water, food, medical services and temporary shelter. An eBay auction of autographed racing memorabilia will begin Jan. 15, with all proceeds being donated to American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. Items will be designated as part of the Haiti relief program. Initial items being auctioned at eBay.com:
•A helmet signed by nearly the entire starting field of the 2009 Indianapolis 500
•2010 Indianapolis 500 cap signed by three-time winner Helio Castroneves
•A replica Indianapolis 500 milk bottle featuring the 2009 event logo, signed by Castroneves
•An IMS Centennial Era cap signed by four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt and A.J. Foyt Racing driver Vitor Meira
•An IMS Centennial Era cap signed by three-time Indy 500 winner Johnny Rutherford
•An enlarged 2008 Indianapolis 500 replica ticket signed by 2007 Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti
More items will be added to the auction soon. Check the auction site daily for updates.
Fans visiting Brickyard Authentics retail locations at the IMS Hall of Fame Museum and Indianapolis International Airport will receive a 20% savings on any purchase with a donation of $5 or more to the American Red Cross canisters located near the register. This program is valid at the retail stores only. For more information about the Red Cross, please visit
http://www.redcross.org or read the blog at blog.redcross.org.
Tickets can be purchased online at
http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time. Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.(IMS)(1-15-2010)
UPDATE: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is contributing $10,000 to the American Red Cross to assist its relief efforts for Haitian earthquake victims. Thousands were killed and injured when a massive earthquake struck Jan. 12 near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The catastrophic damage destroyed the infrastructure of the capital of the Caribbean island nation, creating an urgent need for funds for water, food, medical services and temporary shelter. “Our fans have responded to the needs in Haiti by offering generous donations through our auctions on the Internet, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for supporting this cause,” said Mari Hulman George, chairman of the Board of Directors, Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “Given the ongoing and long-term needs of the people of Haiti, our family felt it important to do more. The American Red Cross is doing wonderful things in the wake of this tragedy, and we’re proud to partner with them on these relief efforts.” Motorsports fans also can contribute to the American Red Cross in many ways, including an online auction at the IMS eBay site and a Brickyard Authentics retail store price reduction. All proceeds from the eBay auction of racing memorabilia, which began Jan. 15, are being donated to American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. Items are designated as part of the Haiti relief program. The newest item to be added to the auction is a VIP ticket package for the 2010 Indianapolis 500 race weekend May 28-May 30. Included are four tickets in an IMS luxury suite for Miller Lite Carb Day, Friday, May 28 and Race Day, Sunday, May 30, four pit and garage credentials (if age 18 or over) and a police escort to IMS on Race Day morning. Fans visiting Brickyard Authentics retail locations at the IMS Hall of Fame Museum and Indianapolis International Airport will receive a 20 percent savings on any purchase with a donation of $5 or more to the American Red Cross canisters located near the register. This program is valid at the retail stores only.(IMS)(1-20-2010)