A fundraiser for drivers on the sprint car circuit is scheduled to be held on February 23rd, with proceeds going towards helping them stay safe throughout the racing season.

The Knoxville Racing Charitable Organization will hold its event that Saturday at Dyer Hudson Hall, on the Knoxville Raceway grounds. The evening will include dinner, a silent auction and a live auction; all proceeds go towards helping racers get insurance and safety gear, and assisting them if they’re injured.

Denise Emal from the organization tells KNIA/KRLS News many of their members work hard for months leading up to this event, to help provide drivers with the help they’ll need.

“When we go over…for the banquet to see how much money we have raised so we can give our drivers these funds for them, to help them with their safety equipment, their insurance and everything, then it’s all worth it,” Emal says.

Emal says sprint car racing is like a big family, and every driver they help out is or soon becomes a friend. This event also gives everyone involved a chance to look beyond winter, and get reading for the racing season to come.