Yahoo! 1,000 Ford Fans Will Drive the 2005 Mustang on Kentucky Speedway, Oct. 23

SPARTA, Ky., Oct. 15 -- More than 1,000 Ford Racing fans will get a once-in-a-lifetime experience when they become the first consumers to drive the new, 300-horsepower 2005 Ford Mustang on the banking of the Kentucky Speedway as part of the Ford Racing Innovation Drive on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004.

In addition to the iconic Ford Mustang, Innovation Drive attendees can also test drive the all-new the 2005 Five Hundred, the new Ford flagship sedan, and the 2005 Freestyle, another all-new design which bridges the gap between sedans and traditional sport-utility vehicles. Attendees will be registered to win a pair of VIP passes to the Ford Championship Weekend at the Miami-Homestead Speedway, including the Ford 400, the final NASCAR Nextel Cup points race.

The Ford Racing Innovation Drive event also features a number of race vehicles on display, including the historic 1901 Ford Sweepstakes race car driven by Henry Ford and the NASCAR Taurus "cutaway" show car used on network TV broadcasts. In addition, fans can visit the Ford Racing merchandise trailer, the Ford Racing Technology Tour mobile display unit and the Ford Racing Performance Parts display trailer.

While at the event, attendees can participate in interactive engineering presentations, and speak with product experts about Ford vehicles, from the redesigned Focus to the all-new Ford GT supercar.

The Innovation Drive will take place inside the Kentucky Speedway oval from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The drive is free, but space is limited. To guarantee a spot, consumers are asked to register by phone at 800-647-7268, or online at http://www.fordinnovationdrive.com/racing .

"Ford Racing fans have proven to be some of our most loyal, and most vocal customers," said Ben Poore, Ford Division Car Marketing Manager. "As such, they are great product ambassadors. The intent of the Ford Racing Innovation Drive is to get these loyal fans and Ford owners to experience the new products and technology Ford is introducing, in some cases before the vehicles even arrive at local dealers."

The Ford Racing Innovation Drive allows consumers to personally experience the impressive abilities of the Mustang, the Five Hundred, and the Freestyle. The Mustang features back-to-the-future styling married with a new, modern chassis and an available 300-horsepower V-8. The Ford Five Hundred features advanced powertrain options that deliver better performance and fuel economy than the competition. And the Ford Freestyle features the passenger and cargo flexibility of a traditional sport-utility with the nimble, easy-to-drive driving dynamics of a passenger car.

"The Ford Racing Innovation Drive provides a unique way for us to showcase our new products," said Poore. "After this event, we want consumers to tell their neighbors that Ford offers the performance, safety features, interior room, versatility, powertrain technology and great designs customers simply can't find from any other company."

Kentucky Speedway