Ricky Rudd to Defend Brickyard 400 Title in Charity Colors
29 July 1998
Ricky Rudd to Defend Brickyard 400 Title in Restyled Tide Race Car to Support Give Kids the World Charity; Consumers Can Take Part Through 1/800-TIDE-KID
INDIANAPOLIS--(BW SportsWire)--July 28, 1998--On August 1, Ricky Rudd, reigning Brickyard 400 champ, will be racing to defend his title with the added power of thousands of youngsters, as his Tide team spearheads a national fundraising campaign for Give Kids The World (GKTW).
To rally support for the Orlando-based charity, Rudd's #10 Ford Taurus will feature a new paint scheme emblazoned with the GKTW logo, signifying the first-ever alteration of Rudd's car. Tide will donate $100 per lap for each of the 160 laps that Rudd completes. If Rudd repeats as champ, Tide will double the donation for a grand total of $32,000.
GKTW is a non-profit organization which exists only to fulfill the wishes of all terminally ill children and their families from around the world children who dream to meet Mickey Mouse. GKTW arranges their complete Central Florida vacation and provides them with a place to stay as long as there is a need. To date, GKTW has hosted more than 31,000 families from all fifty states and forty-five countries.
"Every race is important, but the Brickyard 400 holds a special meaning for me," says Ricky Rudd. "Give Kids The World is such a terrific organization, and as a father and race car driver I am thrilled to be able to help these kids in whatever way I can."
"We are so pleased that Tide and Ricky Rudd are helping to support Give Kids The World and its expansion project which includes the addition of 21 two-unit villas, a movie theater and Ice Cream Palace," said Pamela Landwirth, President, GKTW. "For many of the children and families who visit GKTW, it is their first vacation in years and the time they share together at the village carries them through some of the darker periods of their child's illness."
"In our continuing effort to give back to the community, we're proud to have joined with Ricky Rudd to support GKTW, to provide even more families with the opportunity for a cost-free vacation -- away from the myriad doctors, nurses and hospitals that fill their days," said Patricia DiMichele, Tide Brand Manager.
Racing fans can also celebrate the exciting new look of the Tide/GKTW car and support GKTW by purchasing a limited edition 1/43 scale car on Tide's internet site www.clothesline.com, or consumers can pick up order forms at any Tide show car appearance. Consumers can also call 1/800-TIDE-KID.
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Tide is manufactured by Procter & Gamble, which markets more than 300 brands to nearly 5 billion customers in over 140 countries. Visit Tide on the world wide web at www.clothesline.com.
For Interviews or Additional Information Contact: Dawn Pollock Fleishman-Hillard 212/453-2121.
