IRVINE, Calif., May 10, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Porsche Owners Club ("POC"), Southern California's premier Porsche driving enthusiast organization (www.porscheownersclub.org) announced an all-star lineup for its 13th Annual Tribute to Le Mans which is to be held at California Speedway on Saturday, May 20th.
The three-day annual event represents the pinnacle of West Coast amateur sports car racing and continues to draw entrants and drivers from around the country. Past entrants and winners include: Grand Am Rolex Series '05 GT Champion Craig Stanton, ALMS Champion and Panoz factory driver Bill Auberlen, Grand Am Series '02 GT Champion Cort Wagner, Grand-Am regulars Anders Hainer, Blake Rosser, four-time Tribute winner Doug Baron and IMSA GT3 Cup hotshoes Kevin Roush and Robert Rodriguez.
"Our club is very unique in that many of our members start out by driving their street cars in our Short Track Series and many have worked their way into professional driving careers," said Greg Franz, President of the POC. "Our Tribute weekend is the 'jewel in our crown.' We also deliver racing that is second-to-none for all the fans and families that attend."
Last year's event was broadcast nationally on SPEED Channel, and hosted by Formula One legend Alain de Cadenet. The four-hour enduro, which requires driver changes and multiple pit stops, consistently delivers some of the most competitive, wheel-to-wheel amateur racing in the U.S. Multiple race classes will be represented, from 1960's era 911's to 850 horsepower twin-turbo purpose-built racecars, all racing on the same 2.8-mile infield road course.
For the first time, the club has joined forces with Hope for a Cure Guild, a non-profit organization focused on accelerating research and cures for Juvenile Diabetes. Also partnering in this effort will be Presbyterian Hospital, the operator of Care Force One, a mobile medical unit providing first line prevention, detection and treatment for those lacking access to care.
"We have a great membership base made up of many families from diverse social and economic backgrounds," said Jeff Melnik, VP-Motorsports. "Besides our love for Porsches and racing, we all share a common interest in supporting our community, and doing good for others."
Past charitable events sponsored by the POC at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway have raised over $500,000 for The Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year's Tribute to Le Mans, continues the Club's altruistic legacy of reaching out and helping children.
Following the action this year will be a full TV production crew from the nationally televised show "Steel Dreams." The one-hour show devoted to motorsports enthusiasts is syndicated in more than 137 major U.S. markets, and will be on hand to film the on-track action, and profile various club members for inclusion in an upcoming episode.
The public is invited and encouraged to bring their cameras as pit areas are open to all fans. Admission is $15, and is good for all three days.
Highlights of the three-day event will include:
-- 3 Days of modern and historic Porsche and Ferrari racing
-- Lunch time Lead and Follow Laps
-- Silent Auction benefiting Juvenile Diabetes
-- Wash n' Shine People's Choice Concours -- Show off your street or
other interesting vehicle
-- Astrojumps, face painting and go-carts for all kids (our future
POC racers!)
-- Free health screenings by Care Force One mobile health center
About the Porsche Owners Club
The Porsche Owners Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to Porsche and motorsports enthusiasts. The Club hosts an average of 18 track events, including driver education schools, each year. A prominent feature is the STS series which allows members to drive their street cars at speed while providing nationally recognized driving instruction. The Time Trial series helps our STS graduates hone their driving skills and prepare for our semi-annual Race Clinics. The Cup Race Series consistently attracts the top echelon of amateur Porsche racers and enthusiasts.