Catchfence

FREE event at Fillmore to include autographs, photo opp with IndyCar showcar

MIAMI—Auto racing legend Emerson Fittipaldi and Homestead-Miami Speedway have partnered to shift Haitian relief into another gear with this Sunday’s “Festival of Speed” at the Fillmore at the Jackie Gleason Theater on Miami Beach. Scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., this unique event is part of the “South Beach Nights” community initiative created to assist Haitian earthquake-relief efforts. Attendees will enjoy an opportunity to meet international racing icon Emerson Fittipaldi, former Indy car and Formula One Champion, and a South Florida resident.

“We want to welcome as many people as we can to bring awareness to our continued efforts to help the children of Haiti,” said Fittipaldi, who will display his personal collection of vehicles, including his signature classic Cadillac, alongside Ferraris, other exotic sports cars, go karts and motorcycles.

A Brazilian native, Fittipaldi is scheduled to sign autographs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Fillmore. Fans also will be invited to pose for pictures with a sculpted bust of Fittipaldi, as well as with Homestead-Miami Speedway’s IndyCar show car and its Ford Mustang pace car in advance of THE Championship Track hosting both the IZOD IndyCar Series Championship Weekend (Oct. 1-2) and NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend (Nov. 19-21) this fall.

“Having grown up a motorsports fanatic, I am a huge admirer of Emerson’s accomplishments on the race track, particularly after he made the move to IndyCar,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matt Becherer. “He is certainly one of my heroes, and I am honored to have Homestead-Miami Speedway partner with him on an event that will support so many in Haiti who still need our help, many of whom have families in South Florida who have felt the impact.”

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Fittipaldi’s first victory in Formula One, the first-ever win for a Brazilian on the international stage, and the first of many victories in Fittipaldi’s illustrious career. After netting the 1972 Formula One Championship and a second in 1974, Fittipaldi made the switch to Indy car racing in 1984 and claimed two Indy 500 wins (1989, 1993) and the 1989 Championship.

The 2010 IndyCar Champion again will be crowned at Homestead-Miami Speedway this fall, as the series looks to match last fall’s drama in Miami that resulted in Dario Franchitti winning one of the closest Championship finishes in series history. The IndyCar Championship has gone down to the final lap of the final race each of the last four seasons, and tickets to the Oct. 2 IndyCar Championship are available now via THEChampionshipTrack.com and (866) 409-RACE.

Sunday’s “Festival of Speed” takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Fillmore on South Beach and will be followed by a free performance by Grammy-award winning international gospel artist Israel Houghton. All proceeds of Sunday’s festival will benefit the children of Haiti.

Kids FREE: Homestead-Miami Speedway is the only venue ever to host all of North America’s premier motorsports Championships, and we’re doing it again in 2010 as THE Championship Track hosts both the IZOD IndyCar Series Championship Weekend (Oct. 1-2) and NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend (Nov. 19-21). Kids 12 & under are FREE to three of the five Championship finales, and the best seats to see IndyCar and NASCAR Champions crowned are ON SALE NOW. For more information, visit THEChampionshipTrack.com or call (866) 409-RACE.

- Homestead-Miami Speedway, Press Release