Red Bull Dragster Day Brings New Meaning to 'Fuel-Efficiency'

Applications for Detroit-based Human Powered Dragster Now Being Accepted

DETROIT, April 13 -- Are you a would-be automotive engineer? Do you doodle car concepts? Are your cell phone minutes consumed with discussions about gear ratios? Red Bull Dragsterday may be your road to greatness. This unique event, to be held in Detroit on September 10, 2005, challenges amateur drivers and their pit crews to design, construct, and race human-powered "dragsters" that can cover a 1/8-mile flat course with speed, style, and showmanship. And the Grand Prize is what you've been dreaming about since you were a kid: an ultimate drag racing experience at the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School.

Five-member teams with enough brazen confidence -- or reckless humility -- to show off an engineless car in Motor City are encouraged to apply online at www.redbulldragsterday.com from April 11 through June 15, 2005. Thirty-two teams will be selected.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ADRENALINE!

The excitement at Red Bull Dragsterday is fueled by innovation and a huge sense of fun -- not to mention the thrill of competing in a city rich with auto and racing heritage. In fact, Red Bull Dragsterday will take place on Woodward Avenue, which happens to include the first paved mile of road in the United States. Thousands of spectators are expected to line the strip to witness a sight like Detroit has never seen before.

Based on individual pre-qualifying runs, the drivers will be placed in single-elimination duels to work their way up through (or out of) brackets until the two fastest vehicles remain. But that's all that will be traditional about this contest, where entries will also be judged on the creativity of their construction and the power of their presentation. What a team lacks in engineering genius might be made up for in the style of their design (which, come to think of it, doesn't even have to look like a car). It's all about the complete package.

BLOOD, SWEAT, AND GEARS

Despite its innovative feel, Red Bull Dragsterday does have a few rules of the road. First of all, entries must be made by hand and propelled by humans. Absolutely no version of "stored energy" is allowed: in other words, you can't incorporate rubber bands, batteries or electricity, internal combustion, or solar power (let alone rocket fuel), and you will not be permitted to lay down pulley anchors or any other objects on the street. Acceptable types of propulsion include pedals, gears, wind, internal pulleys, and so on. Vehicles must incorporate at least three wheels, and the dimensions must not exceed 6 feet in width and 20 feet in length. On race day, no more than five persons (including the driver) may present the entry. Just remember that although speed is key, creativity also counts.

Again, the grand prize is the ultimate drag racing experience at the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School in Pomona, CA (or cash equivalent of $7,500). Second Prize is a behind-the-scenes VIP trip to the Indianapolis 500 with Team Red Bull/ Cheever (or cash equivalent of $3,000), and Third Prize is a challenging weekend at the Chicago Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL (or cash equivalent of $1,500). In addition, there will be a special prize awarded for the People's Choice and Most Creative Vehicle. So quit idling and test your slicks at Red Bull Dragsterday!

For information on how to enter, visit www.redbulldragsterday.com. For all media inquiries, please contact Carol Sloan at (310) 460-4702 or carol.sloan@us.redbull.com.