Audi Teamed Up With Star Quarterback Tom Brady and Celebrities to Support People With Intellectual Disabilities

- Fundraising and participation record at this year's Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port

- Star-studded High Gear tailgating gala and post-ride celebrations

- Audi Q7 TDI clean diesel fleet to reduce the event's carbon footprint

HERNDON, VA - June 3, 2009: Audi and Best Buddies International, a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for one-to-one friendship and integrated employment to people with intellectual disabilities, this weekend joined forces with star quarterback Tom Brady and celebrities for the annual Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port charity bicycle tour and fundraising events. With more than 1,500 participants and close to US $4 million raised, the 2009 ride beat last year's record to once again make it the most successful fundraising initiative in Best Buddies' and Audi's history. Audi's underwriting of the ride means that every dollar raised over the course of the weekend goes directly to the charity and its programs.

Celebrity participants including Tom Brady and his supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen, New England Patriots team mates Nick Kaczur, Dan Koppen, Logan Mankins, Steve Neal, and Pierre Woods, Senator John Kerry, Olympic gold-medalist Carl Lewis, actors Verne Troyer, David Spade and Maureen McCormick and Miss Teen USA 2008 Stevi Perry rode 100 or 20 miles, or joined Audi and Best Buddies at the High Gear tailgating gala on May 29th in Boston kicking off the weekend's celebrations.

Click PLAY to watch a Best Buddies TV spot with Tom Brady

Actor and comedian David Spade arrived with a special gift to the start line of the 100-mile-ride at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston on Saturday morning presenting a cheque of US $50,000 to Best Buddies founder and chairman Anthony Kennedy Shriver in support of the charity. Riders were then led by an Audi R8 and TT Roadster to their route from Boston to the Cape. Once again, a 'Team Audi' composed of employees and dealers raised additional funds to the corporate contributions and joined the rides. In an effort to reduce the event's carbon footprint, Audi provided a fleet of Q7 TDI clean diesel cars to shuttle celebrities and VIP guests. In addition to the picturesque bicycle tour from the John F. Kennedy Library to the Kennedy Compound at Craigville Beach and the pre-ride celebration the night before, the two-day event concluded with a star-studded New England clambake and a private concert performed by the legendary Bangles. Anthony Kennedy Shriver and Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen toasted riders and participants for their hard work while Tom Brady was auctioning off signed footballs to the audience in support of the Best Buddies Leadership conference.

About Best Buddies International
Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. 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. We have accredited programs in 42 countries, with additional ones under active development. Our 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 or bestbuddieschallenge.org.