Fans Can Donate Blood, Meet Mario Andretti

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) ¯ Race fans will get an opportunity to meet legendary driver Mario Andretti at Infineon Raceway in January, and all it will cost you is a pint of blood.
 
Andretti, the only driver in history to win races in five different decades, will be part of Infineon Raceway¢s 2nd annual *High Speed Blood Drive* on Tuesday, Jan. 21, from noon-6 p.m. Race fans are invited to the raceway to help the American Red Cross meet its growing need for blood donors, and at the same time, they can meet the 1978 Formula One world champion, four-time CART champion and former winner of both the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500.
 
In addition to the American Red Cross, Infineon Raceway also partners with The Bone 107.7 FM on this worthwhile event.  Community hospitals use more than 450 units of blood every day, and the need for donations continues to increase.    
 
To help get hearts pumping before giving blood, those who visit the raceway between noon and 5 p.m. will be treated to a rare "hot lap" around the Infineon Raceway road course.  Andretti, as well as professional drivers from the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School, will administer the laps at speed around the circuit. 
 
Because of an anticipated high donor turnout, Andretti will give hot laps to the first 50 donors. Those donors have already been determined by scheduling an appointment at WWW.BEADONOR.COM . However, Andretti will be available for autographs and photos for everyone who donates most of the day.  Be sure to listen to The Bone 107.7 FM in January as the radio station will award an additional 25 hot laps with Andretti.
 
Time permitting, Andretti may give additional hot laps beyond the 75, but that will not be determined until the day of the event. 
 
To make an appointment on www.beadonor.com simply:
1. Click on "Appointments" (left-hand side)
2. Enter your e-mail address to create a personal profile
3. Select "Donate Blood at a Mobile Drive" 
4. Enter the sponsor code "infineon." 
4. Select your appointment time.
 
            *I am looking forward to giving people a thrill ride around one of my favorite tracks, Infineon Raceway,* Andretti said. *I¢m happy to be part of such a great cause.*
 
After a lap around the track, participants will complete a brief health history questionnaire with a Red Cross representative to ensure eligibility.  For information on donor eligibility, please visit www.beadonor.com.  Complimentary cookies and juice will be available following the blood donation. For more information on this community event, please contact Diana Rose by e-mail at drose@infineonraceway.com or at (707) 938-8448, ext. 118.