NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

NHRA fans can go head-to-head against stars of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series on the Sonoma Raceway kart track at the 14th annual NHRA Tour de Charity.

Speedway Children’s Charities, the charitable arm of Sonoma Raceway, will host the charity karting event on Saturday, April 9, with all proceeds benefiting Sonoma County youth groups. The event has generated more than $141,000 since 2003.

NHRA Funny Car drivers Ron Capps and Jack Beckman and Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Scotty Pollacheck will return to participate in this year's event. This marks Pollacheck's third consecutive year, while Capps and Beckman have been regular Tour de Charity participants since its inception, and look forward to returning each year.

"This is an event where we as drivers get to take time out to interact with fans and race these amazing go karts,” said Beckman. “The best thing is, it all goes to charity."

The cost of the event is $325 per person with a limited number of slots still available. Participants will receive a full day go-kart rental, race suit, helmet, professional driving instruction, catered lunch, plus meet-and-greets and autographs with the NHRA racers.

The Simraceway Performance Driving Center, which operates the karting center, provides the karts, race suits, classroom instruction and on-track pointers for all competitors. There will be giveaways during the day, and the top-10 qualifiers (race fans) will compete in a 10-lap timed race at the end of day for the NHRA Experience, which includes two tickets to the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals (July 29-31). All karting levels are welcome.

To reserve your spot, visit sonoma.speedwaycharities.org/events/. Click on the “Register Now” button and complete the online form.  For more information, contact Cheri Plattner at 707-933-3950 and cplattner@SonomaRaceway.com.