Highcroft Racing has launched an appeal to help the victims of the Japanese earthquake disaster in conjunction with Network for Good.

The team's Honda Performance Development ARX-01e will feature signage at this weekend's opening round of the American Le Mans Series and Intercontinental Le Mans Cup directing fans to the website – www.highcroftracing.com/help-japan. The on-car graphic – which also incorporates a Japanese flag – will be displayed on the sidepods and rear wing of the new HPD prototype. By visiting the Network for Good link via the Highcroft site, race fans can choose to donate money to any of 21 different charities including the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Save the Children and World Vision.

The American Le Mans Series has also thrown its weight behind the fund-raising efforts with signage placed around the Sebring track to direct fans and viewers to donate by texting REDCROSS to 90999 in order to make a contribution to the relief efforts in Japan.

“It is with great pride that we have represented Honda since 2007 in international sports car racing - we have many, many fans from Japan and we hope and pray that they, and the entire country, can stay safe and stay strong at this terrible time,” team boss Duncan Dayton said. “We thank our fans for their support and urge them to not only donate what they can, but also to take time to do as we are doing this week – taking a few moments to reflect on how lucky we are to have the love of our families and the warmth of our friendships. We get to go racing this week, while people in Japan are trying to rebound from having their entire lives shattered.”

The team's Japanese Earthquake appeal campaign will also use Highcroft's social media outlets including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and FourSquare to promote the cause.

“It is hard to watch a country suffering as they are and it is important that the rest of the world does its best to support them," said Highcroft driver Marino Franchitti. “With each day that goes by, it seems the story in Japan is getting worse not better.  So, we all need to get together and help as much as we can. We're asking all the fans of the team and the American Le Mans Series to come and help us out.”