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WA Auto Show Contest Promises 'Gripping' New Year's Celebration

1 January 2000

                         Three Free Cars Up for Grabs

    WASHINGTON -- One lucky group of attendees at the Washington Auto Show: 
Hot Wheels(R) 2000 will celebrate the dawn of the new millennium in "gripping" 
fashion -- as finalists in the Washington Auto Show Hands On-Contest.  The Hands-On 
Contest will award three new vehicles to a trio of tried-and-true car lovers who 
outlast the competition to stay in touch the longest.

    Only 14 contestants remain on the cars of the original 26 that started on
Monday.  Up for grabs this year are: a Toyota Celica coupe, a Toyota Tundra
pick-up truck and a Toyota Echo, provided by the Washington Area Toyota
Dealers.

    Consumers hoping to get in touch with a new car for the New Year were pre-
selected through contests on a local radio station, 94.7 Classic Rock WARW.
The new Toyota vehicles will be awarded to the last three contestants
maintaining constant physical contact with the assigned automobile.  Should
there be more than one contestant per vehicle still hanging on at the close of
the contest at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 2, 2000, a random drawing of keys
will be used to determine each winner.

    The contest mandates a full-time security detail, round-the-clock medical
coverage and an excruciatingly detailed list of rules to insure fairness to
all.  The participants must maintain some type of physical contact with the
vehicle at all times.  The only exception is a break of exactly fifteen
minutes scheduled every three hours.  A blanket is allowed, but the rules
prohibit electronic devices, reading, writing or drawing materials.  There's
no smoking, no alcoholic beverages, no offensive language and no physical
contact between contestants.  One final rule remains unchanged -- contest
officials reserve the right to require a shower break!

    The Washington Auto Show:  Hot Wheels 2000(R) will bring more than 500 new
cars, trucks, mini-vans and sport utility vehicles from over 35 domestic and
import automakers to the Washington Convention Center from December 26, 1999
through January 3, 2000.  For operating hours, ticket information and
additional information on the Hands-On Contest, contact the show office at
202-371-5060.