Honda Raising Funds for Make-A-Wish Canada During Honda Indy Edmonton Race
Week

Paul Tracy Driving for Make-A-Wish Canada

EDMONTON, July 22 /CNW/ - Honda Canada will be raising funds for Make-A-Wish(R) Canada this week at the Honda Indy Edmonton. In addition, Canadian Paul Tracy's KV Racing Technology car for this weekend's race, sponsored by Honda Canada, features Make-A-Wish Canada on the sidepod of his race car. Tracy's race suit and his team's pit signage also feature the Make-A-Wish Canada logo.

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 at this Sunday's race.

"We are delighted to partner with corporations like Honda that share our commitment to children with life-threatening medical conditions," said Jennifer Ritter, chief executive officer for Make-A-Wish Foundation(R) of Canada. "It's thanks to Paul Tracy, the great race fans in Edmonton and corporate partners like Honda Canada that we can fulfill our mission."

Fund-raising activities start today with the Honda Indy Edmonton street festival on Rice Howard Way that runs until Saturday. Race fans will have the chance to try their hand at a pit stop challenge to determine the fastest to get a race wheel off and back on. Participants are asked to make a donation to Make-A-Wish Canada for every try.

There will be racing simulators that race fans can experience for a donation to Make-A-Wish Canada at the Honda World exhibit at the City Centre Airport track. For a donation to Make-A-Wish Canada, racing fans are also invited to sign Paul Tracy's race suit (on display at Honda World) that he will wear in this Sunday's Honda Indy Edmonton race.

"At Honda Canada we believe in the power of dreams," said Arch Wilcox, vice-president of marketing and sponsorships for Honda Canada. "The donations from race fans will help make dreams come true for children facing adversity. We're very pleased that we can contribute to the well-being of these children and offer race fans a special event of fun, too."

According to KV Racing Technology co-owner Jimmy Vasser, "We're extremely pleased that Paul Tracy will pilot a KV Racing Technology entry with Honda Canada's sponsorship 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 and invite fans to come see the greatest open wheel racing in the world."

Tracy, a Canadian fan favorite, will be contesting his sixth race in Edmonton. In five previous starts at Edmonton, he has finished in the top-10 a total of five times with four top-five showings, and one podium performance.

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

About Make-A-Wish(R) 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 International, the largest wish-granting organization in the world, making dreams 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 will have four drivers entered in the Honda Indy Edmonton with Tracy as well as Takuma Sato in the No. 5 Lotus - KVRT Honda/Dallara/Firestone machine, E.J. Viso in the No. 8 PDVSA - KVRT Honda/Dallara/Firestone car, and Mario Moraes in the No. 32. KVRT Honda/Dallara/Firestone entry.

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. 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.

For further information: Honda Canada - Richard Jacobs, [phone]; Make-A-Wish Canada - Krista Bussey, [phone] (x223); KV Racing Technology - Tom Blattler, [phone]