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Last Updated: Mar 26th, 2006 - 13:41:45 |
(NAPSI)-Although they are famous and seem to "have it all," many of Hollywood's hottest stars still have the dream of becoming a real race-car driver. Each year, a handful of celebrities such as Cameron Diaz, George Lucas, and Ashley Judd-who have a racing obsession that runs deep-satisfy their fantasy at the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. The stars get a chance to feel the rush of racing while helping raise funds for children's charity.
Annually, some of the biggest personalities in film, television, music and sports travel to Long Beach, Calif., and put the pedal to the metal behind the wheel of race-modified Toyota Celicas in the world's largest celebrity racing event. During the last 27 years, more than 300 top-name stars including Gene Hackman, Clint Eastwood, Woody Harrelson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Franz, William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, Jay Leno, Anthony Edwards, Matt LeBlanc, Coolio, and Queen Latifah have participated in the prestigious Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race.
Racing dreamers from the diverse worlds of sports and fashion have also joined the action. World-class athletes such as Joe Montana (three-time Super Bowl MVP), Carl Lewis (Olympic track gold medalist), John Elway (Super Bowl XXXIII MVP), and Dara Torres (Olympic swimming gold medalist), have left their competitive arenas to burn rubber on the race track. Even such top fashion models as Carol Alt and Kim Alexis donned racing suits for the thrill of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race.
The dream begins to become real at race training, an intensive four-day session that teaches stars to handle the complexities of a road-racing track. Once completed, the stars experience a practice session on the seaside street course in Long Beach. On race weekend, as part of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the dream becomes reality as they compete in front of tens of thousands of screaming fans.
"When the celebrities show up at race training, they are a little apprehensive yet eager to excel," said Les Unger, national motorsports manager at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. "Despite the fame and successes they all have accomplished, many of them are fulfilling a lifelong dream."
"Also, these celebrities are committed to helping 'Racing for Kids,' a national organization that benefits children's hospitals throughout the country. Each year, the celebrities travel to Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach to spend time with the kids, and many stars comment afterwards that the visit was the highlight of the event."
Run through the streets of downtown Long Beach, Calif., the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race is broadcast nationally. Since 1991, the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race has raised more than $1 million for charity. The 2003 Toyota Pro/ Celebrity Race will be on Saturday, April 12.
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