Thursday

Fans Can Bid on Brickyard 400 VIP Package in Haiti Benefit Auctions

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

All proceeds from the eBay auctions of racing memorabilia, which began Jan. 15, are being donated to Red Cross relief efforts for the devastating earthquake Jan. 12. Items are designated as part of the Haiti relief program. The auction site:

http://shop.ebay.com/ims_online/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25

The winning bidder in the Brickyard 400 VIP package will receive four tickets in a luxury suite on qualifying day, Saturday, July 24, and Race Day, Sunday, July 25 for the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series classic at IMS. Also included are pit and garage passes (for guests 18 and over), a police motorcade escort to the track on Race Day morning and three nights’ accommodations July 23-25 at the Hilton Indianapolis Hotel and Suites.

Fans’ generous bids have raised more than $16,000 for the earthquake-ravaged nation through the auctions. Items from race teams and competitors in the IZOD IndyCar Series, Indianapolis 500, NASCAR and MotoGP are added to the auction regularly. Check the auction site daily for updates.

Other items added to the auctions from Feb. 12-18:

•Fiat Yamaha Team shirt and cap signed by seven-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi and two-time 250cc World Champion Jorge Lorenzo, winners of the first two Red Bull Indianapolis GP MotoGP races at IMS

•Firestone Indy Lights champion cap signed by 2009 series champ J.R. Hildebrand

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.

Fans also can contribute directly to American Red Cross International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. Donors also can text “Haiti” to 90999 on their cell phone to send a $10 donation to support Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or read the blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

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IMS tickets: Established in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long prevailed as an icon of motorsports excellence. In 2009, the Speedway began the three-year celebration of its Centennial Era, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the facility in 2009 and the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2011.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.imstix.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.

- Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Press Release