IRL: Johnny Unser to enter charity race

October 7, 1997

Johnny Unser in $1,000,000 Race for Charity

Veteran IRL driver Johnny Unser, who will be driving in this weekend's Las Vegas 500K race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, will join other drivers and celebrities in the Sahara Race for Charity at the Sahara Hotel and Casino on Friday, October 10th.

The drivers, each of whom will be racing for a charity of their choice, will be competing in a state-of-the-art racing simulator that is unlike anything seen before. The Sahara Speedworld features 24 three-quarter scale indycars surrounded by a 133 degree wrap-around screen. Each car is mounted on a six axis motion base which simulates the feel of a real Indy driving experience. Additionally, a sixteen channel sound system gives each driver audio feedback which relaistically rfeflects teh action surrounding the car. Video screens fitted as rearview mirrors will allow the driver to see other cars approaching from behind. The cars can be drivn on one of 2 virtual tracks, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and a Grand Prix style race through the streets of Las Vegas.

The Race for Charity is funded by the Bennett Foundation. All participants are guaranteed a minimum prize of $10,000 for their charity. In the finals, qualifying professional drivers will be paired with the celebrity finalists and members of the winning team are guaranteed a minimum $100,000 prize for each of their charities. The total prize money is guaranteed to be at least $1,000,000 and could grow to over $3,000,000 depending on the number of entrants.

Johnny will be competing for the Blaine County School District          
Education Foundation in Hailey, Idaho. Johnny was a teacher in the      
Blaine County School District for several years, still lives in the     
county, and remains dedicated to the educational system.                

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