1st Annual DADA Soap Box Derby to Feature Local Celebrities in Opening Event

TROY, Mich., Sept. 13 -- A host of well-known names and faces are scheduled to compete in the first race of the Detroit Auto Dealer Association's (DADA) 1st Annual DADA Soap Box Derby Classic, a two-day event to be held on Third Street in downtown Rochester, Mich., on Saturday, Sept. 14 - Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002.

The local personalities and dignitaries will be part of a special Celebrity/Charity Race that will begin immediately following opening ceremonies on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 2:15 p.m. Piloting adult-size Soap Box Derby cars, the individuals will be competing for fun on behalf of the 11 children's charities that are beneficiaries of the North American International Auto Show's (NAIAS) Charity Preview, one of the largest black- tie charity events in North America. The 2002 Charity Preview raised $6.125 million.

Celebrity/Charity Race participants include: Detroit Piston Rodney White; Tom Wilson, president of the Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports and Entertainment; Guy Gordon, WXYZ-TV; Harry Hairston and Mike Bowersock, UPN-50; Benson Ford, Jr.; Neal Rubin, The Detroit News; John McCullough, WJR Radio; DADA President Chuck Fortinberry of Clarkston Chrysler-Jeep; NAIAS 2003 Senior Co-Chairman Bill Demmer of Jack Demmer Ford; Mayor Dave Katulic, City of Rochester; Police Chief Ted Glynn, City of Rochester; and City Manager Ken Johnson, City of Rochester.

The 1st Annual DADA Soap Box Derby Classic will feature young racers, ages eight to 17. The event is the first Soap Box Derby competition to be held in the metropolitan Detroit area in about 30 years.

The two days of racing fun will begin at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14 and run through most of that day. Racing will resume at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15 with the awards presentation at approximately 5 p.m. Admission is free.

The DADA represents more than 250 automobile dealers who own 240 dealerships. Together the DADA dealers and their employees support their local communities through extensive charitable involvement.