MADD Shifting Gears Road Rally & Auto Show

RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 9, 2009; The following was announced by MADD:

Who: Mothers Against Drunk Driving of NC (MADD) & teams from across NC. Our event chairman is Harry Dolan Raleigh Police Chief.

James Pickens Jr. of "Grey's Anatomy" is our national event spokesman. Event includes teams from across the State and Car show enthusiast.

What:
Shifting Gears Road Rally and Auto Show. The Road Rally is a novelty rally designed for auto enthusiasts or anyone who wants to have fun! The road rally is a family-friendly event with activities such as a kids zone, safety fair and auto show. The concept of this event is similar to the popular TV show "The Amazing Race" and the popular game "Clue" with a few extra's added in. Unlike the serious professional road rallies that take place involving time and intense precision in every aspect, MADD's Shifting Gears road rally is a fun, innovative and novelty rally. It involves clues and puzzle solving as a way to identify secret checkpoints throughout the Triangle area (designed by a Puzzle Master). Once participants arrive at each checkpoint location they must conduct a special challenge before moving onto the next location. Participants will raise money in support of MADD's mission across the State. The event is open to anyone that has a valid driver's license and a vehicle. We have also added a poker run to this year's events.

When:
September 12th, 9:00am - 1:00pm (registration begins at 8:30am)

Where:
The rally begins and ends at the NC State Fairgrounds (Jim Martin building). Secret checkpoints will be revealed through solving the puzzles.

Why:
The events raise awareness and funds for our mission throughout the State. Our mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.

  --  NC Ranks 5th in the Country for Drunk Driving Deaths
  --  NC averages over 80,000 DWI arrest annually
  --  Between the ages of 4-34 traffic crashes are the #1 cause of death and
      37% of the crashes are alcohol related.
  --  Underage drinking is the #1 youth drug problem and cause of death &
      injury

  --  3 out of 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol related traffic
      crash.

            September 12th, NC State Fairgrounds - Raleigh, NC
          Presented by Mother Against Drunk Driving of NC (MADD)
                          www.maddroadrally.org