Indy 500 centennial tour gears up to visit RAF Mildenhall

  • Published
  • By Christy Kenady
  • 100th Force Support Squadron Marketing Department
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, established in 1909, will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500-mile race in 2011. In celebration of this anniversary, Armed Forces Entertainment (a Department of Defense agency) and the Morale Entertainment Foundation are coordinating the Indy 500 Centennial Tour traveling to the American troops serving overseas.

The tour is starting in Southwest Asia and will visit several bases in Europe, including RAF Mildenhall. The aim is to log more than 15,000 flight miles, meet with more the 10,000 troops, and give away thousands of items and deliver motivational talks.

The Indy 500 Centennial Tour will be at the Galaxy Club Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to all base ID card holders, but is by ticket only. Tickets are available now at the Bob Hope Community Center.

There will be panel discussions and questions, along with the opportunity to meet, greet and take photos of well-known drivers Mario Andretti, Al Unser, Jr., Johnny Rutherford, Graham Rahal, Davey Hamilton, Larry Foyt and Martin Plowman, along with racing announcer Jack Arute.

Efforts are also being made to include the Indy Racing Experience two-seater race car ride that allows the passenger to experience speeds and G-forces previously available only to a handful of elite drivers. The purpose-built Dallara chassis allows a passenger to sit behind the driver and is complete with an authentic racing power plant that can reach up to 180 miles per hour.

"We're extremely grateful to Armed Forces Entertainment, the team, planners, and staff who have come together to ensure a phenomenal tour for our Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and DoD employees downrange and throughout U.S. Air Forces in Europe," said Maj. Adrian Hageman, 100th Force Support Squadron commander.

"It also speaks volumes that AFE has put together an event to support the morale of our Airmen and their families while visiting Team Mildenhall," he said. "I think it's a tremendous opportunity to be able to meet and hear from some of the world's greatest Indy 500 drivers and we look forward to their arrival."

For more information, contact Tony George or Stephanie Lown at DSN 238-2579 or 01638-542579.

A similiar event will be held at the RAF Lakenheath Liberty Club at 6 p.m. Jan. 20. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and no ticket is required.