WATCH NOW: Rides 'n Smiles for Baptist Children's Hospital Patients

More than 40 Baptist Children’s Hospital patients were treated recently to rides around Homestead-Miami Speedway in high-performance sports cars at an event organized by the Southern Automotive Media Association (SAMA).

(VIDEO: An exciting Saturday morning at Homestead-Miami Speedway thrilled Baptist Children’s Hospital patients as more than 40 children and teens were treated to Rides ‘n Smiles.)

Held for the seventh time, the Rides ‘n Smiles event was founded by auto racer Bill Adam, a member of the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame, who wanted to give young patients with chronic illnesses a day of fun away from the hospital, doctors and treatments. The children and their families gathered at the speedway’s Winner Circle to enjoy thrilling rides around the 2.3-mile road course in exotic cars driven by members of the Southern Automotive Media Association (SAMA).

Given the chance to be a passenger in a “dream” car of their choice, the children select from more than one dozen contemporary sports cars. Cars made available this year included a SRT Viper GTC, Corvette Stingray, Nissan GT-R, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Mustang Shelby GT 350, Audi, Porsche, BMW i8 and others. Auto makers and private owners supplied the supercars driven by professional auto racers and SAMA members who donated their time and expertise to give the children and their families the unique experience.

In addition to laps around the track, the children also received a behind-the-scenes peek of the speedway, lunch, goodie bags and certificates denoting them as members of the “100 MPH Club.”

The Baptist Health South Florida News Team was there. Watch the video now.