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Conyers-Riverside Ford Sponsors African-American Hydroplane Team

8 July 1998

Conyers-Riverside Ford Sponsors Only African-American Hydroplane Team: Driver to Appear

    DETROIT, July 8 -- Conyers-Riverside Ford -- Detroit's only
and the country's oldest African-American owned auto dealership -- will
exclusively sponsor the nation's only African-American hydroplane racing team
for the automotive Gold Cup race at Detroit Thunderfest.  The sponsorship was
announced yesterday by Conyers-Riverside Ford President Nathan Conyers.
    "It has always been my commitment to enrich and enlighten our community,"
said Conyers, who has been in business now for more than 28 years.  "This
racing team is something that everyone -- especially our youngsters -- should
know exists."
    Hydroplane driver Jerry Bell had been seeking a sponsor for his team for
the Detroit race for some time, and was delighted that Conyers deemed his
efforts worthy of support.  "It is impressive to see a man who actually lives
by his own words," Bell said of Conyers.  "When he talks of giving back to the
community, it is obvious that he does."
    Bell, who is a Detroit native, has raced since 1994, and placed second in
last year's Detroit Gold Cup race.  He will make an appearance at
Conyers-Riverside Ford on Thursday, July 10, 1998 from 5 to 7 p.m. with one of
his three (3) hydroplanes to sign autographs.
    Conyers-Riverside Ford is located at 1833 E. Jefferson Avenue in Detroit,
just West of St. Aubin Bell will race in this weekend's Thunderfest July
11-13, on the Detroit River.