VIRginia 2007 Historic race date set

VIR Making Plans for 50th Anniversary

Alton, Va. (August 5) -- The 2007 Gold Cup Historic Races at VIRginia International Raceway will celebrate the 50th anniversary of VIR's opening in 1957. The event is scheduled for the weekend of June 8-10, 2007.

Among the highlights of the weekend will be: A Celebration of VIR's 50th Anniversary with Very Special Guests and Cars; "Storytime" with special guests, reminiscing and answering questions in an informal setting; the Grand Opening of the VIR Museum; the public debut of a specially-commissioned painting by Mike Mate illustrating the most significant cars and drivers in VIR's history; a signing party with the artist and drivers depicted in the painting; the annual "Black and White Party" for drivers, crew and guests at VIR's antebellum Plantation Clubhouse; and a weekend full of old-fashioned vintage racing, the way it was meant to be!

There will be no featured marque for the weekend, other than "VIR History Cars and Drivers." VIR encourages everyone who raced at the track or has a car that raced at the track between 1957 and 1974 to come back for the big weekend. The track is also seeking VIR memorabilia (trophies, photos, programs, etc.) to use in a history display during the weekend. If you can help, please contact track historian John Gardner at (434) 822-7700 x112. Entry forms for the 2007 Gold Cup Historic Races are available online at www.virclub.com, or by telephone at 434-822-7700 x116. In addition, a treasure trove of information on VIR's history is available online from Nick England's excellent website, www.virhistory.com.

"We take a lot of pride in the fact that the Gold Cup Historic Races weekend is 'not just another vintage race,' said VIR co-owner Harvey Siegel. "We continually strive to create an event that recalls the good old days of vintage racing, with no modern cars and an atmosphere of friendship and mutually shared passion for the history of our sport. Our 50th anniversary celebration is a very special event for us, and we hope everyone will join us for what we guarantee will be a weekend to remember!"

VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Va., just north of historic Milton, N.C. In addition to its 3.27-mile natural-terrain road racing circuit, VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club, America's first motorsports country club; the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park; the VIR Gallery, a sales showroom for high-end collector and racing cars; Plantation Valley Kart Track, a 5/8-mile paved karting circuit; The Lodge at VIR, a 27-room trackside hotel; the new VIR Paddock Suites and Garages, with 18 dual-purpose hospitality/ lodging units and garages; and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation Clubhouse.

For more information on VIRginia International Raceway, visit the track's website at www.virclub.com or telephone 434-822-7700.

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