Teams, drivers share the racing experience with children and their families

For the fifth consecutive season, the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón will visit local children’s hospitals within its race markets in partnership with its official charity, the Austin Hatcher Foundation.

Throughout 2010 and in support of its long standing relationship with the Foundation, Series teams and drivers will visit – for its second year – the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, March 13, between 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. prior to competing at the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida.

The visit will feature appearances by such drivers as Johnny O’Connell from Corvette Racing, who has won more times at Sebring (eight) than other driver in history; Patrón Spirits Company CEO and Extreme Speed Motorsports’ Ferrari pilot, Ed Brown; 27-year old JaguarRSR driver and returning Series competitor Ryan Dalziel; and Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Championship contender and Inspire Motorsports driver Gary Gibson.

During the visit, drivers will be handing out gifts such as autographed hero cards, Series-made activity books and bubbles – the universal symbol for the Austin Hatcher Foundation – as well as playing a Forza race car video game with the children dealing with pediatric cancer.

Since 2006, the Austin Hatcher Foundation has touched the lives of more than 750 children and families in 10 cities and seven states around the United States. Throughout the upcoming season, that tradition continues as the Series actively participates through hospital visits, as well as by raising money and awareness for the Austin Hatcher Foundation through direct donations, Web and trackside merchandise sales, online race memorabilia, auctions, sales of limited-production American Le Mans Series/Austin Hatcher Foundation co-branded gear and through trackside diversionary therapy events centered around selected races.

The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED starting at 10 a.m. ET. Visit the Series’ schedule page for ticket and accommodation information. Live Timing and Scoring, and American Le Mans Radio will be available on Racehub at americanlemans.com.

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source http://www.americanlemans.com