Notes: Rahal's wild about support for Ohio zoo

To acknowledge and celebrate Jack Hanna’s 35-year association with the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo and Aquarium, the Graham Rahal Foundation and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course partnered to offer special Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio race tickets with partial proceeds benefiting the zoo.

The tickets include free zoo admission, an autographed Rahal hero card and an entry to win a VIP experience at the track and zoo. Ticket information is available at midohio.com/zoo.

Additionally, Rahal will auction some of his race-worn gear (including the helmet at left and bottom) and the track will donate a checkered flag signed by all IZOD IndyCar Series competitors for the zoo to auction.

Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Rahal’s godfather, will be the grand marshal of the IZOD IndyCar Series race on the 2.258-mile, 13-turn Mid-Ohio road course Aug. 4.

“I am so honored to have been invited to attend the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. I have known the Rahal family for almost 30 years and am so proud of my godson, Graham. He has done so much to support the Columbus Zoo, and I can’t wait to come to the track to cheer him on,” Hanna said.

Rahal drives the No. 15 Midas/Big O Tires car for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

Rally for The Ranch on July 31

On July 31, the Bobby Rahal Foundation will host the "Rally for The Ranch" at Easton (Ohio) Town Center.

The 3-9 p.m. event features an array of collectible, exotic, vintage, race and street cars. It's free and open to the public.

On the same evening, the Rally for The Ranch banquet will be held at The Aladdin Shrine Event & Conference Center in Columbus. It features dinner, a silent auction and entertainment to benefit The Buckeye Ranch. LEARN MORE

Free admission to Open Test with ticket

The July 31 Open Test (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) is open to race ticket-holders or anyone who purchases a race ticket at the track that day.

Fans traveling to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course should click HERE to learn about road construction in Ohio that might require a detour on the way to the facility.

Following the Open Test, spectators can join IZOD IndyCar Series and track personnel for a track walk (6:45-8 p.m.). Volunteers from the American Diabetes Association will be on hand to accept a donation.

Scholarship fund available to female drivers

The Women’s Sports Foundation announced that a $100,000 scholarship fund will award annual grants to young, talented women drivers who compete in all forms of racing.

The application, criteria and guidelines are available at www.WomensSportsFoundation.org/ProjectPodium.