Up and Coming NASCAR Driver joins Teens for their Quest to become Most Auto Savvy

On June 27, NASCAR Driver Todd Kluever will join 100 teens from across the
U.S. to battle in the biggest automotive skills competition of their high
school careers. Teams of two per state will face-off against each other in a
timed battle that will determine the best and most savvy high school
automotive technicians. The top ten team finalists will be eligible for more
than $6 million in scholarships and prizes, in addition to the scholarships
already won at the state level.

Todd Kluever, who is currently ranked 17th in the NASCAR Busch Series, will
be encouraging these high school participants as they vie to become to the
nation's most auto savvy teen. At the conclusion of the competition, Kluever
will speak to the students and hold a press conference. 

This national event, the culmination of months of study and practice by more
than 6,000 high school juniors and seniors nationwide, is designed help
prepare teens in their pursuit of automotive careers. 


Two of the competitors, one from Louisiana and one from Mississippi, had
their homes and possessions wiped out by Hurricane Katrina last fall.  Yet
they managed to start over and, with a partner from their auto tech class,
win their respective state competitions and the right to be in Dearborn.
One of those students still lives with his family in a FEMA trailer outside
New Orleans, the other relocated 170 miles from the Gulf Coast to Jackson,
MS, to live with relatives. 


We will be happy to send you more details on these competitors and other
aspects.

If you're able, please join us for the competition in Dearborn, Michigan. If
you can't, let us know what press materials you require and how we can
assist you with interviews, etc. To interview Todd Kluever, please let us
know and we will be happy to assist you with the arrangements.

 
100 Auto Savvy Teens Battle for the Top Tech Crown 

in Henry Ford's Hometown; Hear from NASCAR Driver

 

2006 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition June 27 

in Dearborn

 

50 TWO-MAN TEAMS FROM ACROSS THE U.S. WILL RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK TO GET THE
DELIBERATELY INSTALLED "BUGS" OUT OF 2006 MUSTANGS AND WIN $6 MILLION WORTH
OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND PRIZES

 

WHEN:          Tuesday, June 27, 2006

                        9:15 a.m.  -- Starting gun  

Instructed to "start your engines, if you can," students clad in red and
black "pit crew" uniforms will run to their assigned, identically bugged
red, white and blue Mustang convertibles.

                        

9:15 - 10:45 a.m. - Competition

The fastest time to diagnose and repair the cars, then drive across 

the finish line + the best written score determine the 2006 champions.

 

11:00 -11:15 a.m. - Todd Kluever, NASCAR driver, briefs media 

 

                        11:15 - 11:45 a.m. - Trophy Presentations to Top 10
Teams

 

WHERE:       Ford World Headquarters, Dearborn, Michigan

One American Road -- Michigan Avenue and Southfield Freeway

 

Free parking and refreshments on site. Video feed and photos available after
competition.  Opportunities for interviews with student competitors and
officials. Check in at Media Tent, off American Road.

 

WHY:             Skilled auto technicians are in growing demand from
consumers and the automotive industry.  Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills
showcases the nation's best young technicians and encourages and enables
them to pursue careers in the profession.  Winners receive scholarships to
help further their education and training as auto technicians and engineers,
with the potential for substantial incomes.  More than 6,000 students from
all 50 states vied for the chance to be in the final competition.