Press Releases
11 September 2009
Audi teams up with Athletes and Celebrities for Third Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle
- Audi continues to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- California's First Lady Maria Shriver to serve again as Honorary Chair
- Fleet of Q7 TDI clean diesel vehicles to reduce the event's carbon footprint
HERNDON, Va. — Audi, in conjunction with Best Buddies International, today announced the anticipated celebrity and athlete attendees at this year's Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle on September 12, a charity bicycle ride along the Pacific Coast line. For the third year in a row, Audi is proudly joining Best Buddies International as a Title Sponsor and the Official Vehicle in what has become the organization's key fundraising initiative. This year's bike ride will bring together athletes, dignitaries and actors working to beat last year's fundraising record of $3.5 million total in donations for Best Buddies International.
Audi of America's President Johan de Nysschen and other senior executives will welcome celebrity guests and riders to the Challenge which starts at Quail Lodge Resort in Carmel and ends at the Hearst Ranch in San Simeon where post-ride celebrations will include a private concert by chart-topping singer and entertainer Ciara. California's First Lady Maria Shriver will serve as Honorary Chairperson for the sixth year in a row and be joined by Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis, Olympian Dan O'Brien, "Access Hollywood" co-host Nancy O'Dell, Miss California 2009 Tami Ferrell, along with Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart, singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett, "Dancing With the Stars'" Lisa Rinna, actor Michael Chiklis from "The Shield," "The Brady Bunch's" Maureen McCormick, Adrian Pasdar from "Heroes," "CSI: Miami's" David Caruso, and "Austin Powers'" Verne Troyer. Professional cyclists from Teams Columbia, Garmin, Jelly Belly, and Specialized (including founder Mike Sinyard) will also be participating.
The all-new Audi R8 V10 and Audi S5 Cabriolet will lead the peloton through a challenging 100 mile ride along the Pacific Coast Highway. Once again, ‘Team Audi,' composed of employees, dealers and agencies, has raised additional funds to support the corporate contributions.
"We have had the privilege of employing buddies at our U.S. headquarters and learning firsthand the impact of this event on the lives of those with intellectual disabilities," said Johan de Nysschen, President of Audi of America. "Audi is proud to partner with Best Buddies and serve as the title sponsor of this event as we continue to focus on social responsibility within our company. Thus far, we have helped Best Buddies raise close to US $ 20 million in funds, and we are excited to have our Audi cycling team return for another year."
The Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle extends Audi's commitment to social responsibility and the environment which has long been a core component of the brand's corporate culture translating into a variety of national multi-year programs on a national as well as local community projects. One of the main environmental initiatives is the "Clean Air, A Viable Planet" program endorsed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. For this program, Audi has partnered with Stanford University and the University of California - Berkeley to support the research of intelligent traffic management solutions and energy-saving technologies, leading to fuel-efficient driving and ultimately reduced CO2 emissions. Implementing low consumption technologies is also a key driver of the carmaker's own research and development facilities in Germany such as the TDI clean diesel engines which reduce fuel consumption by more than 25% compared to gasoline ones. This year's Challenge will be supported by a fleet of Audi vehicles that is entirely composed of Q7 TDI clean diesel vehicles in an effort to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the event.
"Best Buddies is incredibly grateful for Audi's support, which has grown and enhanced our mission of friendship and inclusion," said Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies. "Audi's support is not only limited to financial contributions, but they also engage their whole organization including dealers and employees. When we announced our partnership back in 2007, it truly was the beginning of an amazing new friendship."
Participants coming together to help raise funds and awareness through the successful charity bicycle tour will also be treated to a brand new event this year, the First Lady's Celebrity/ Sous Chef Challenge, set to take place on September 11. During this exciting event, award-winning California chefs, Scott Giambastiani, Jeff Rogers Ryan Scott and Cal Stamenov will partner with Best Buddies participants and compete for various accolades. Further adding to the excitement, winners will not only be determined by judges, but by attendees as well. Liam Mayclem, the host of KPIX's "Eye on the Bay," will emcee the event.
About Audi of America
Audi of America Inc. and its 270 dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. The Audi line up is one of the freshest in the industry with 23 models, including 12 models launched during model years 2008 and 2009. Audi is among the most successful brands globally. In selling one million vehicles worldwide in 2008, AUDI AG recorded its 13th consecutive record year for sales and profits. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues. Audi and Best Buddies proudly announced their partnership in June of 2007. For a five year duration, Audi will continue to be the exclusive automotive sponsor of Best Buddies within the Americas and support numerous projects and fundraising events in Europe and overseas.
About Best Buddies International
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,400 middle school, high school, and college campuses worldwide. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States. The organization has accredited programs in 44 countries, with additional ones under active development. Its six formal programs – Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies and Jobs – positively impact more than 400,000 individuals with and without intellectual disabilities annually. As a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit bestbuddies.org.
