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INDY 500: World's largest Tae-Bo workout to take place Saturday at Indy

25 May 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

INDIANAPOLIS -- Fitness will be on the minds of race fans Saturday, May 27 as Billy Blanks, creator of the popular workout program Tae-Bo, will lead the worlds largest Tae-Bo workout at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Blanks, his daughter, Shellie, and Michele Reber, who has lost 92 pounds through the Tae-Bo program, will lead participants in a 45-minute Tae-Bo workout near the Speedways start/finish line on the main straightaway, starting at 8:15 a.m. (EST).

Blanks and Tae-Bo have been heavily involved with the Indy Racing Northern Light Series for more than a year. Tae-Bo is an associate sponsor on the #91 Hemelgarn Racing car driven by 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier. Tae-Bo also was a primary sponsor on the #92 Hemelgarn entry driven by Johnny Unser for five races in 1999.

A $20 tax-deductible fee is required for participation Saturday. All proceeds will benefit DARE America, a non-profit organization that provides children and parents with drug, alcohol and violence awareness and prevention information. DARE America students will participate free of charge.

The first 1,000 registered participants will receive a complimentary Billy Blanks Tae-Bo T-shirt.

Persons of all ages are welcome to take part in the workout. Participants younger than age 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a registration/release form before the workout.

Tae-Bo participants should enter the Speedway through Gate 10, located on 30th Street, and park in the North 40 parking lot just north of the track. Trams will pick up and drop off participants before and after the event.

Registration is from 6:30-8 a.m. in Plaza Chalet Tent #1, located directly behind the Speedways new Pagoda control tower. Tent #1 is the southernmost of the three Plaza Chalet tents, closest to the Garage Area.

Blanks will sign autographs from 9:30-10 a.m. Indianapolis 500 drivers will also sign autographs from 9-10:30 a.m. in front of the Pepsi Stage, located behind the Pagoda control tower. Tae-Bo participants are welcome to stay for the 84th Indianapolis 500 public drivers meeting, scheduled for 11 a.m.

Text provided by Paul Kelly

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