Honda Canada to sponsor Paul Tracy for second year at Honda Indy Toronto

Effort To Support Make-A-Wish Canada

TORONTO, May 25 /CNW/ - Canadian Paul Tracy's KV Racing Technology car will be sponsored by Honda Canada for a second year, and will support Make-A-Wish Canada, at the Honda Indy Toronto, July 18, on the streets of Toronto.

Tracy, the 2003 Champ Car World Series champion, is one of the most successful and exciting drivers in the history of open-wheel racing. The native of Scarborough, Ontario, will pilot the No. 15 Make-A-Wish Canada/KV Racing Technology/Honda/Dallara/Firestone car.

"Honda is a company built on the dreams of its founder and all of its Associates, which is why Honda's corporate slogan is The Power of Dreams," said Arch Wilcox, vice president of advertising and sponsorships. "It's the power of dreams that has led us to innovations and new technologies over the years. We are very pleased to be associated with Make-A-Wish Canada which is helping to turn the wishes and dreams of Canadian children living with life-threatening medical conditions into a reality.

"We believe Make-A-Wish Canada and Honda Canada are a perfect fit because of our shared belief in and pursuit of the power of dreams."

Commenting on the support, Jennifer Ritter, CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation(R) of Canada, said, "Because of this generous support, we will be able to promote awareness of our vital mission and to continue to fulfill the dreams of our courageous 'wish children' across Canada.

"Make-A-Wish exists for one reason only - to grant wishes to children living with life-threatening medical conditions. We impact our wish families' lives at a time when they need to know that their community cares about what they are going through, as their child battles for his or her life.

"To a child living with a life-threatening medical condition, a wish is more than a desire - it is an experience that can create a life-changing impact, not only for the wish child and their family, but for other families, friends, volunteers, donors and entire communities. We believe that Make-A-Wish, through our mission, volunteers and supporters, is helping to nurture a kind and caring Canada."

According to KV Racing Technology co-owner Jimmy Vasser, "We are extremely pleased that Paul Tracy will pilot a KV Racing Technology entry with sponsorship from Honda Canada in support of Make-A-Wish Canada. Having Paul drive in front of his countrymen with an organization like Make-A-Wish Canada on the sidepods of a KVRT car is an honor and a privilege. I personally want to thank Honda Canada for making this possible."

Tracy, whose talent and determination have made him a fan favorite, will be contesting his 18th race in Toronto. In 17 previous starts on the streets of Toronto he has finished in the top-10 a total of 11 times with eight top-five showings, five podium performances, two wins (1993 and 2003) and one pole.

"I want to thank Honda Canada, Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser for the opportunity to race in front of my hometown fans," Tracy said. "I am especially thankful because it is a tremendous honor to represent Make-A-Wish Canada. I am proud to be able to support and raise awareness for this organization that assists Canada's children in need of wishes coming true."

Now in his 20th season, Tracy has crafted a career that has established him as one of the top drivers ever to step into the cockpit of an open-wheel car. The resident of Las Vegas is among the top-10 in almost every Champ Car career statistical category including wins, 31 (tied for seventh all-time), poles, 25 (ninth all-time), and laps led, 4,238 (sixth all-time).

Tracy has 75 career podium performances, 102 top-five finishes and 144 top-10 showings in 270 starts (262 in Champ Car and eight in IndyCar, tied for seventh all-time). In the 15 seasons in which Tracy has competed in over 80 percent of the races, he has finished in the top-10 in the championship standings 10 times including eight times in the top-five, four in the top-three and captured the championship in 2003.

About Honda Canada Inc.:

Honda Canada (www.Honda.ca) has sold more than 3,300,000 Honda and Acura passenger cars and light-duty trucks in Canada over the past 38 years. A record high 91 per cent of the Honda and Acura vehicles sold in Canada last year were produced at the company's assembly plants in North America, up nearly 3 per cent from the previous year. In addition, 52 per cent of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in Canada last year were built at the two Honda of Canada Mfg. plants in Alliston, Ontario, which has built more than 5,300,000 Honda and Acura cars and trucks since 1986.

About Make-A-Wish Canada:

Make-A-Wish Canada (www.makeawish.ca) is a dynamic wish-granting organization that brings hope, strength and joy to children across Canada living with life-threatening medical conditions. Along with the national office, seven independent regional chapters grant magical wishes to children in need from coast-to-coast. Make-A-Wish Canada is an affiliate of Make-A-Wish(R) International, the largest wish-granting organization in the world, making dream and wishes come true for more than 240,000 children since 1980.

About KV Racing Technology:

KV Racing Technology (www.kvracingtechnology.com) was established in 2003. The Indianapolis-based team is contesting its eighth open-wheel season and third in the IndyCar Series in 2010. KVRT is owned by successful venture capitalist Kevin Kalkhoven and 1996 Series Champion, Jimmy Vasser. Veteran motorsports manager Mark Johnson is the team's General Manager. KVRT has earned two victories the first by Cristiano da Matta in Portland in 2005 and the second by Will Power at Long Beach in 2008. They have captured two poles, Tristan Gommendy at Mont Tremblant in 2007 and Vasser at Milwaukee in 2005 (Will Power captured the pole at the 2008 Surfers Paradise, Australia exhibition race).

KV Racing has contested five races, making nine starts in Toronto. They have finished in the top-10 a total of three times, with three top-five showing, two podiums and a best finish of second by Vasser in 2004 and Neel Jani in 2007. The team has participated in all four races in Edmonton making eight starts. They have finished in the top-10 a total of three times with two top-five showing and a best finish of fourth by Oriol Servia in 2006.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Honda Canada - Richard Jacobs, [phone]; Make-A-Wish(R) Canada - Krista Bussey, [phone] (x223); KV Racing Technology - Kevin Diamond, (415)-729-6011