CHAMPCAR/CART: Celebrity Go-Kart Race in Cleveland

Grand Prix of Cleveland Celebrity Go-Kart Race to Benefit Grand Prix Charities

CLEVELAND, June 1, 2006 - During the colorful history of the Grand Prix of Cleveland Presented by U.S. Bank, the event has been known not only for high speed thrills on the track, but also charitable giving off the track. This year, during the 25th anniversary of the popular Northeast Ohio tradition, high speed thrills and charitable giving will be intertwined more than ever before with the Race for Rainbow Pro-Am/Celebrity Go-Kart Race, part of the Grand Prix of Cleveland festivities taking place at Burke Lakefront Airport, June 23 - 25.

The Race for Rainbow Pro-Am/Celebrity Go-Kart Race will take place on Saturday, June 24 at 12:45 p.m. and will be contested on a state-of-the-art go-kart racing and timing facility being constructed on the Grand Prix grounds. Lending their talents to this event will be legendary actor/racer Paul Newman, racing legends Bobby Rahal and Al Unser Jr., and a host of area celebrities and sports stars. Proceeds from the event will benefit Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital through Cleveland Grand Prix Charities.

Participants will not only enjoy the opportunity to rub shoulders with racing legends and celebrities during the go-kart event, they will also receive four prime grandstand seats, four hospitality passes to the Cleveland Grand Prix Charities tent on Saturday and Sunday of race weekend and two VIP Parking Passes. Participation packages are being sold for $5,000 each.

Individuals interested in competing in the Race for Rainbow Pro-Am/Celebrity Go-Kart Race should contact the race's downtown business office at (216) 619-RACE (7223).

In addition to hosting the celebrity event, the go-kart track will be available to the general public and corporate groups throughout the Grand Prix of Cleveland race weekend. Fans will be able to don racing suits and test their driving skills using 12 horsepower, competitive racing Go-Karts, which will propel the driver around the course at over 40 mph.

During the Grand Prix of Cleveland, individual fans will be able to purchase go-kart rides for $20 for 10 laps, and corporate groups will have the opportunity to lease the Go-Kart track on an hourly basis for a unique and exciting corporate outing. All proceeds generated through the weekend, during both the celebrity event and public racing periods, will benefit Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital.

The track is open and available for race fans over the age of 18, and for riders between the ages of 14 to 17 if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. All riders must have closed-toe shoes.

Cleveland Grand Prix Charities was born in 1981, when a small group of area businessmen rallied Cleveland's business leaders to get involved in a new event in town, the Champ Car race at Burke Lakefront Airport. The Cleveland business community responded by coming together to form a large Board of Directors, and creating a host of special events surrounding the Race. Over the years, proceeds from these events have benefited many charitable causes, including Easter Seals, Providence House, Shoes & Clothes for Kids, and The Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland.

Tickets for the Grand Prix of Cleveland Presented by U.S. Bank are available by phone at 216-241-5555; online at www.grandprixofcleveland.com or in person at Ticketmaster locations including all Kaufmann's and select Giant Eagle stores. Corporate sponsorship, hospitality or group sales are available by calling the Grand Prix of Cleveland office at 216.619.RACE (7223) or toll-free 888.817.RACE.

For more information on the Grand Prix of Cleveland Presented by U.S. Bank contact the event's downtown business office at (216) 619-RACE (7223) or visit www.grandprixofcleveland.com.

-www.grandprixofcleveland.com