Nonprofit blood services provider Vitalant is joining forces with Sonoma Raceway to put a non-traditional spin on blood drives, giving donors a chance to get their hearts pumping with a high-speed “hot lap” around the Northern California road course prior to donating blood.

On Friday, October 1, at the start of the CSRG Charity Challenge vintage race weekend, donors can get rides around the 12-turn road course with a professional driving instructor in a KTMX-BOW.

Three is an urgent need for donors of all types, Vitalant experiencing one of the most challenging times in its history. Obstacles related to COVID along with an increase in hospital need is putting a strain on the region’s blood supply.

All blood types are needed, especially type O, the most transfused blood type. O-negative is what emergency room personnel reach for when there is not time to determine a patient’s blood type.

“We require about 500 volunteer blood donors every day to help local patients in need of transfusions, and not enough people are giving blood,” said Fred McFadden, Vitalant Regional Director. “Having Sonoma Raceway’s continued support holding this blood drive motivates people to give and is crucial to helping countless lives in our community and we are grateful.”

This year’s Sonoma Raceway High-Speed Blood Drive hopes to see over 75 donors give. “We are thrilled to work with Vitalant to support such an important effort,” said Jill Gregory, Sonoma Raceway EVP and General Manager. “Hopefully the chance to take a lap at our amazing facility will encourage fans to give blood and fulfill this crucial need in our community.”

For more information, log on to vitalant.org.

For Charity Challenge spectator information, visit the Classic Sports Racing Group website, csrgracing.org.