By Scott Daloisio
(Perris, CA, May 21, 2013) Perris Auto Speedway promoter Don Kazarian announced this afternoon that the Riverside County clay oval will be accepting donations of clothing and toiletries for the victims of the Oklahoma tornados at this Saturday’s “Salute to Indy” race that is headlined by the Amsoil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 PM on Saturday and the first race will start at 7:00.
Christine Lindahl contacted The PAS Tuesday morning and she, along with Stephanie Odom, Kathy Bell and DeeJay Crawford, are taking up collections for those devastated by the tornado.
“This thing is kind of personal with us at Perris Auto Speedway,” promoter Don Kazarian said. “Tobey Sampson, who has raced with us for years and who is a California Lightning Sprint Car official, is from Moore, Oklahoma and his mother still lives there. The tornado came within a block and a half of her house. She was in another part of Oklahoma at the time, but Tobey’s brother Tommy was in the house and he had to ride out the storm taking cover in the bathroom with the dogs.”
Another of the immediate PAS family is also from Oklahoma.
“Ronnie Everhart, another of our racers and one of our infield announcers is from Oklahoma and has relatives including her daughter and grandchildren there,” Kazarian stated. “The storms were all around them and like Tobey’s mom and brother, they did not get injured or lose their home, but thousands of others did including many from the racing community. We are asking our fans and teams who have an extra racing shirt or cap, to bring them to The PAS on Saturday. We are also asking fans to bring toiletries. Soap, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream etc. People affected are in dire need of these items and everything donated will be quickly on its way to the devastated area.”
There will be a table/booth set up by the main spectator entrance for fans to drop off their items as soon as they enter the facility. There will also be one for the race teams near the pit gate or in the infield.
Race teams or fans who are not attending Saturday’s race, but who would like to donate products can contact the following:
Stephanie Odom: alldirtnation@gmail.com / 805 268-1393
TeeJay Crawford: TeeJayCrawford@gmail.com / 618 407-2460