Racing community steps up for Haitian relief

UPDATE Hendrick Motorsports has loaned an airplane and two flight crews to an organization that is participating in the Haitian earthquake relief efforts. The NASCAR team loaned a 45-passenger plane to Missionary Flights International, which will send support teams in and out of Port-au-Prince. The first flight is scheduled to leave Fort Pierce, Fla., on Saturday morning and will take 30 passengers and medical supplies into Haiti. The HMS aviation team is planning to fly at least one roundtrip per day, with no timeline set on how long the plane and personnel will be on loan. The eight-team crew consists of HMS aviation director Dave Dudley, four captain-level pilots, one mechanic and one flight attendant. All volunteered to participate. HMS officials have a second plane on standby, and team owner Rick Hendrick is covering all costs associated with the flights. Hendrick officials said Friday they received a special exemption from the FAA to fly the plane into Port-au-Prince. The international Red Cross estimates 45,000 to 50,000 people were killed in the earthquake, which devastated the Caribbean nation on Tuesday Associated Press

01/15/10 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 www.redcross.org or read the blog at blog.redcross.org.

Tickets can be purchased online at 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 press release)