Auction of World's Most Expensive Car to Benefit Laureus Sport for Good Foundation

* Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren On Block March 16, 2004 in L.A.

* Absentee Bids Accepted From Public

* Funds Support Projects for At-Risk Youth Around the World

* Auction Hosted By Edwin Moses, John McEnroe, Tony Hawk, among others

NEW YORK, Feb. 24 -- To celebrate its official launch in this country, The Laureus Sport For Good Foundation is holding a charity auction on March 16th, 2004 of the stunning new 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. Hosted by the Laureus World Sports Academy, the auction takes place in Los Angeles however the general public is being invited to submit Absentee Bids for the car between now and March 12.

Only 120 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLarens will be available in the U.S. this year, and demand will certainly outpace supply when vehicles begin arriving here this summer. This is a unique opportunity to bid for this highly coveted vehicle while raising proceeds for the launch of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, USA. Customer car #1 was recently auctioned off privately in New York and drew $2.1 million for Laureus Sport for Good programs worldwide, making it the highest price ever paid for a new car.

The Laureus World Sports Academy consists of 41 legendary sportsmen and sportswomen (ranging from Emerson Fittipaldi and Dan Marino to Edwin Moses, Nadia Comaneci and Boris Becker) who volunteer their time and effort to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation was set up to fund and promote the use of sport as a tool for social change. Its work focuses on helping young people overcome poverty, homelessness, violence, drug abuse, discrimination and AIDS. Members of the Laureus World Sports Academy have flown 237,000 miles visiting projects -- the equivalent of flying to the Moon -- in the last 12 months.

The new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is the product of the partnership between Mercedes-Benz and its Formula 1 racing partner, McLaren. This astonishing "Super GT" is equipped with a supercharged V8 engine producing 617 horsepower, capable of rocketing the SLR from zero to 60 miles per hour in under 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 207 mph. The SLR McLaren is constructed largely of ultra-light (yet ultra-strong) carbon fiber, and strikes the ultimate balance between state-of-the-art racing technology and the superlative comfort and luxury that are among the signatures of a Mercedes- Benz. Though pricing for the United States has not yet been announced, it is anticipated that this highly limited production vehicle is expected to retail for around $450,000.

The Laureus Sport For Good Foundation and the Laureus World Sports Academy were set up in 2000 to form a unique worldwide charity harnessing the power of sports to help people in need. The founding patrons, DaimlerChrysler and Richemont, have committed $1 million a year to the program with other fundraising activities, like this auction, adding to the bottom line. The Academy is charged with helping decide where the money should go and with helping bring attention to the good work being done by the programs that are funded by the Sport For Good Foundation. They do this on a volunteer basis.

Whether it's the Street Universe program addressing homelessness in South Africa, Meninos do Murumbi which tackles violence and crime among abandoned youngsters on the streets in Brazil, or the Inner City Games for homeless kids in New York, the members of the Laureus World Sports Academy want to participate because they recognize the impact they can make on others.

   Absentee Bids can be obtained by e-mailing vissewedell@yahoo.com.