Pro-Am Races At Palisades Center Will Benefit Nyack Penguin Plunge

WEST NYACK, NY — The Autobahn Indoor Speedway and Orange County Fair Speedway will host a Charitable Pro-Am Race on Thursday at the Palisades Center, with all proceeds going to help local children with serious medical challenges.

Spectators are welcome. A $15 donation will go to Nyack Penguin Plunge.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for Silent Auction and extensive "Tricky Tray." The opening ceremonies will start at 7 p.m., followed by an invitational Match Race. Rockland and Orange county executives and county sheriffs will compete in a three-lap go-kart race "for fun and bragging rights" along with movie actor and director Paul Borghese, WRCR morning radio host Jeff Lewis and Jay Hood, chairman of the Rockland County Legislature.

Then, actual professional drivers from Orange County Fair Speedway and other racing venues will compete against Autobahn Racing League drivers, including race fans.

An after-race celebration will occur at the Yardhouse on Level Four at the mall.

"Our goal is to raise $12,000 at this event to benefit the children of the Penguin Plunge," said Peter Reynolds, Event Coordinator and Orange County Fair Speedway Sponsorship and Marketing Director. Last year’s Autobahn Indoor Speedway Event raised $10,000.

The Nyack Penguin Plunge (a 501c3 organization) is an all volunteer charity that helps local children who have serious medical challenges. Its main fundraiser takes place March 5, when people will take a swim in the icy cold Hudson River.

"To the extent that our presence in the race brings in additional donations that help these children deal with the daily challenges they face each and every day, well, that alone makes me feel like a winner," Rockland County Executive Ed Day said.