2001 New York Auto Show Special Attractions; Crowd Pleasers for the Whole Family

    NEW YORK, March 28 WWF Monster Trucks, a $375,000 Saleen
road car, the Pokemon Pikachu Car, the Marines' fourteen ton LAV-25
all-terrain vehicle, more than 20 race cars, virtual reality games, roll-over
simulators, exotic sport cars, and New York's hottest radio stations top the
list of special attractions at this year's New York International Automobile
Show.
    
   "The 2001 Show has more cars, more trucks, more fun and more entertainment
than ever before," said John LaSorsa, auto show chairman.  "Visitors at this
year's show may have to make more than one visit to get the whole Show
experience," he continued.

    This year's special attractions include:

    *  WWF's "The Rock" and "Stone Cold Steve Austin" Monster Trucks will be
       crushing cars on Opening Day and will be on display throughout the
       Show.

    *  Watch out for Saleen's $375,000 S7 road car.  Powered by a 550-hp Ford
       427 V-8 the S7 claims a top speed of over 200 mph and a 0-to-60 time of
       4 seconds.

    *  Calling all Racing Fans ...  The sights and sounds of NASCAR, Le Mans,
       Formula One, Indy, Stock Car, and more will come to life at the Show's
       feature display, The Victory Lap.  The special exhibition will feature
       nearly 20 of racings fastest and most awesome cars and trucks,
       displayed on a simulated race track in the Special Events Hall.

    *  For the first time, our four-wheeled friends will have a little
       two-wheel competition from some very trendy Italian scooters.  The
       city-friendly Vespa Motor Scooters, with their funky colors and
       fun-in-the-sun looks, are expected to draw admiring glances from Show
       visitors.

    The U.S. Marines are showing off their LAV-25, a fourteen-ton
"all-terrain" vehicle designed to not be stopped! Also along for the ride is
the First Marine Corps recruiting HUM-VEE.  The "Armed Forces Experience"
includes authentic camouflage face painting for anyone who dares to come
close.
    An authentic NASCAR video simulator will allow race fans the chance to
experience the thrill of shifting gears, accelerating and braking at up to
200 mph on variety of race tracks.  Find it at the Victory Lap exhibit.
    The New York State Police are providing the public with a unique view of
what happens in a "roll-over" with their simulator.
    The Pokemon Pikachu Car will be making a first time visit to New York for
younger car enthusiasts.
    Check-in with some of your favorite radio stations! New York's HOT97-FM,
98.7 KISS-FM, 95.5 WPLJ, and WABC-Radio Disney, will be "keeping it real" with
fun contests, prizes, and much more!
    "HOLY GM ONSTAR BATMAN!" The GM OnStar Batmobile makes a return visit with
some new surprises for 2001.
    The U.S. Army races in with its winner, "THE SARG".  This 1999 Winston Top
Fuel Champion, driven by Tony Schumacher, is big on the track, and with the
public.
    THE CAR DOCTOR IS IN!  So are The Dolan's, and they will be broadcasting
from the show floor! Look for them on Level Three.
    Lovers of hand-built American sports cars should look out for two new
models from Avanti.  The 2001 T-top and convertible come fully equipped with a
5.7-liter V8 fuel-injected 330-hp engine and retail at $69,000 and
$83,000 respectively.
    The 2001 New York International Auto Show opens for a special public Sneak
Preview on Friday, April 13 from 1:00 - 8:00 p.m.  Following the preview, the
Show continues from Saturday, April 14 through Sunday, April 22.  Prior to the
public opening, the Show welcomes media and industry during its annual Press
Preview, April 11 and 12.