Spectators at the Ferrari Challenge event at Sonoma Raceway earlier this month not only got to experience the thrill of Ferrari race cars battling for a championship win, but also helped generate funds for Speedway Children’s Charities Sonoma to the tune of $35,000. This abundant donation, representing net proceeds from the event, will go directly to local Sonoma County charities to help children and families in critical need.

For the first time in years, Ferrari Challenge and Sonoma Raceway worked together to open the event to the public on Saturday, September 10 and an impressive 1,139 tickets were sold along with 168 free kids’ tickets. Spectators of all ages had the opportunity to get up close to rare Ferraris and were treated to spectacular pre-race pageantry before the green flag dropped on over 65 drivers competing in four categories over the weekend in their season finale event.

"This contribution is the largest SCC Sonoma has received outside of our NASCAR weekend,” said Director of Speedway Children’s Charities Sonoma, Courtney Kiser. “It will make a tremendous impact for local children and families suffering from food insecurity, abuse and the need for vital resources such as shelter and medical treatment.”

“We are thrilled to be able to make such a substantial donation to Speedway Children’s Charities in such a way that local fans are contributing to the organizations that give so much to their own community,” said Sonoma Raceway Executive Vice President and General Manager Jill Gregory. “It was great to be able to open our doors and share this fantastic event with local families and enthusiasts, and better still to help support our community partners in a more formidable way.”

Annual funds received by Speedway Children's Charities Sonoma will be distributed before the end of the year to local non-profit organizations that have applied for and been awarded grant funding. The Sonoma chapter has raised more than $7 million for the Sonoma County community since its inception in 2001.

For more information on SCC Sonoma, including how you can adopt a Sonoma Raceway sheep, visit www.speedwaycharities.org.