FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION TO UNVEIL FUNNY CAR CONTEST WINNING DESIGN DURING TASCA RACING FACILITY GRAND OPENING ON SEPTEMBER 17
DEARBORN, Mich., September 14, 2009 – Even though it’s Race No. 1 in NHRA’s Countdown to 1 championship playoffs, the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang Funny Car will set aside its traditional red and black Motorcraft livery during this weekend’s NHRA Carolina Nationals to help out a very special cause and make one child’s design come to life.
For the second year in a row, Bob Tasca III will run a winning paint scheme designed by a youngster involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
The winning designer and his/her family, along with Tasca, the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing team and representatives from Ford Customer Service Division, will unveil this special JDRF paint scheme on Thursday, September 17, during the Tasca Racing Shop grand opening celebration.
Race fans and media are invited to the unveiling taking place Thursday, September 17 at 6:00 p.m. Tasca Racing is located at 4467 Raceway Road in Concord, NC.
This summer, more than 300 children with type 1 diabetes brought out their crayons and colored pencils to design a special paint scheme for Ford Customer Service Division’s Funny Car Design Contest supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
"I’m very excited to see the winner’s face once they see the design that they created come to life on the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang," said Brett Wheatley, Director of Marketing, Ford Customer Service Division. "This is the second year that Ford Customer Service Division has launched the contest and its such a great way to raise awareness towards such a deserving cause."
As part of the grand opening and unveiling festivities, fans will have the opportunity to meet Tasca and take a tour of the brand new race shop. The shop will be open to the public from 12 pm until 7 pm. Activities are scheduled throughout the day including a blower dyno demonstration at 5:30 pm.
"I’m anxious to see the winning design on the car and have the fans come out and tour the new race shop," said Tasca, driver of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang. "It was an honor to run Sam Millard’s [2008 winner] design last year and I can’t wait to race with this new design on our hot rod this weekend."
The Funny Car Design contest raised $39,542.59. To view all the 2009 JDRF designed Funny Cars, visit http://www.jdrf.org/ford/t_blank.
About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease, which strikes children suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications, which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation.
Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.3 billion to diabetes research, including more than $156 million in FY2008. In FY2008, the Foundation funded 1,000 centers, grants and fellowships in 22 countries. http://www.jdrf.org//t_blank
Diabetes affects more Ford families than any other disease. Ford Motor Company has raised more than $27 million for JDRF since the grassroots campaign started in 1998.
Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing On the Web
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About Motorcraft
Motorcraft® offers a complete line of original equipment-approved parts that are recommended and approved by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood and powertrain repairs, Motorcraft parts offer exceptional value with the highest quality and right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available locally and are backed nationwide by Ford Motor Company's Service Parts Limited Warranty. For more information, visit http://www.motorcraft.com/
About Quick Lane
Quick Lane® provides automotive quick services for all makes and models. Quick Lane's® nationwide network of 530 facilities provides the convenience of an aftermarket company (no appointment necessary, service while you wait, evening and weekend hours, competitive prices) with the confidence of a major automotive manufacturer (quality parts, factory-trained technicians). Quick Lane® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit http://www.quicklane.com//t_blank
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 201,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit http://www.ford.com//t_blank.
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