CARA Charities

IndyCar Series Goes Global!

Check out the 2010 Indy Car series schedule here and join CARA Charities as we race to help kids in these communities including the newest race in sunny Brazil! CARA's going global as well.....join us at the 29th annual CARA Fashion Show & Luncheon as we celebrate our global racing community!

March 14  Brazil 
March 28  Streets of St. Petersburg 
April 11  Barber Motorsports Park (Alabama) 
April 18  Streets of Long Beach 
May 1  Kansas Speedway 
May 30  Indianapolis Motor Speedway 
June 5  Texas Motor Speedway 
June 20  Iowa Speedway 
July 4  Watkins Glen International 
July 18  Streets of Toronto 
July 25  Edmonton City Centre Airport 
Aug. 8  Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 
Aug. 22  Infineon Raceway 
Aug. 28  Chicagoland Speedway 
TBD  Kentucky Speedway 
Sept. 18  Twin Ring Motegi 
Oct. 2  Homestead-Miami Speedway
Schedule subject to change.

Welch Racing Experience
   Dillon Welch, son of ESPN race commentator Vince Welch, hosted CARA Charities executive director, Cathie Lyon, along with other industry representatives and sponsors for a "white knuckle experience" at the Indianapolis Speedrome in October. Participants were able to get in the drivers seat (literally) and experience some of the thrill and excitment that comes with USAC Midget racing while spending some time with the 15-year old Indianapolis 500 hopeful. The Indianapolis native, now residing in Carmel, is approaching his 16th birthday (November 18) and will soon be eligible to continue his advancement (in car size and speed) beyond his current USAC Kenyon Midget circuit.

   Lyon describes the experience as "very cool" giving her another perspective on racing after previously participating in the popular two-seater programs for CART and Formula One. And although she has overcome her fear of hitting the yellow tires used as track boundaries (special thanks to Robin Miller) and doing damage to the car, Lyon says after the experience, "I need to have better control and speed coming out of the turns." Spoken like a true racing champion.
   CARA board member, Ellen Greenleaf, and volunteer, Brad Haberman, were there as Cathie's "moral support pit crew" but, of course, took advantage of the opportunity to get an update from Vince on life, racing, and community causes.

Can we have your autograph?
Several Firestone Indy Lights and IndyCar Series teams partnered with CARA Charities at Mid Ohio in August to help raise money and awareness for several great causes by sporting decals on their ride. This wasn't just a bumper sticker bonus for the cause(s) though. A donation to CARA allowed any racing or team/driver enthusiast to sign one of the decals that were placed on cars during both the Mid-Ohio 100 and Honda Indy 200. In addition to sharing some of the funds with the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, the Indy Family Foundation and the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, proceeds from the campaign also support CARA's nationally-recognized Buckle Up Baby™ program, keeping children safe on the road. CARA Charities would like to thank the teams, the drivers and the fans in Mid-Ohio that help make this possible!