Want something unique under the Christmas tree? Here are two great gifts that also benefit INDYCAR-related charitable organizations.

The official 2014 INDYCAR wall calendar features the stars and cars of the IndyCar Series along with team profiles. A poster of the drivers who competed in the 97th Running of the Indianapolis 500 in May is a bonus. Proceeds benefit Racing For Cancer, the Indy Family Foundation, Racing For Kids and the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation. Order yours today HERE.

If you've dreamed of winning the IndyCar Series championship, then the INDYCAR Unplugged board game is for you. Slingshot, draft, upgrade your car, stay out of the marbles and try not to crash. The game, with partial proceeds benefiting Racing For Kids, features the cars of reigning series champion Scott Dixon, four-time series champion Dario Franchitti, 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan, Simon Pagenaud, Josef Newgarden and JR Hildebrand.

Order yours today HERE and it's also available at Target stores. Racing For Kids, which was designed to use the popularity of motorsports to focus public attention and funding on the health care needs of children, marks its 25th anniversary in 2014.

Drivers honored in home countries

Carlos MunozIndianapolis 500 Mile Race Rookie of the Year Carlos Munoz (left) was named Colombia’s driver of the year Dec. 10 as part of the Federación Colombiana de Automovilismo Deportivo “Night of the Best” in Bogota.

Munoz, who finished second in the Indianapolis 500 and third in the Firestone Indy Lights championship standings, will move up to the IndyCar Series full time with Andretti Autosport in 2014. Also among the nominees was Firestone Indy Lights championship runner-up Gabby Chaves.

"After all these years of sacrifice and hard work, since I was 8 years old and started my sports career, there have been good and not so good moments," said Munoz, 21. “This year, I could see the results of all that. I hope this is the first year of a lot full of victories and happy moments. It was a great year of victories, pole positions. I am only sorry I could not win the Indy Lights championship due to mechanical problems, but I will always remember my first Indy 500 and my second place there being the first time I was taking part of that race. I am sure I will never forget that and I hope to make the most of the opportunity again next year.”

Four-time IndyCar Series champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti was presented a lifetime achievement award at the Scottish Motor Racing Club awards dinner in Edinburgh. Last month, Franchitti, 40, of Scotland, announced his retirement from competitive motorsports.

Young drivers can attend seminar this weekend

Aspiring Indy car drivers and their families are encouraged to attend the Youth Motorsports Conference – Driver Development Strategies from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 14 in rooms 116-117 at the Indiana Convention Center.

Under the umbrella program of bridging the gap from the amateur to professional driver, speakers at sessions will address how to use driver coaching, video and data; the use of simulators and their effectiveness and an update on safety equipment for 2014.

Also, former Indy car and Formula One driver Derek Daly will talk about what tools a driver needs to become a professional driver and describe how his son, Conor, advanced from karting competition to running in the 97th Indianapolis 500.

Registration is required HERE. The event is part of the Performance Racing Industries show.

Of note

Honda-powered teams A.J. Foyt Racing, Andretti Autosport, Dale Coyne Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports are scheduled to participate Dec. 18 in a manufacturer test at Sebring International Raceway. On the same day, Mike Conway will be on the track in the Chevrolet-powered Ed Carpenter Racing car for a team test. He returns Dec. 19, along with the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports groups. The testing window for 2013 closes Dec. 20.