Tasman Motorsports Group and American Cancer Society Announce Race4Life Program Promoting Healthy Lifestyle

American Cancer Society
Tuesday, 3 February 1998

Homestead 1998/02/03 -The American Cancer Society and Tasman Motorsports Group today announced RACE4LIFE -- a first-ever partnership designed to promote a healthy, cancer-fighting lifestyle and raise funds for cancer programs and research by reaching millions of auto racing fans. The announcement came at a news conference held during the FedEx Championship Series' Spring Training -- the sport's official practice session in preparation for the 1998 racing season kick-off.

A new Tasman Race4Life car will now be competing on the Championship Auto Racing Team (CART) circuit bearing the symbol of the American Cancer Society, along with those of other products and companies dedicated to a healthy lifestyle. As car sponsorship money is raised from these companies, 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the programs of research, education and public service of the American Cancer Society. "We are in a powerful environment," said Tasman Team owner Steve Horne. "CART is a high profile sport that reaches a lot of people and can send a strong message. Race4Life is a way for us to send a powerful message about the benefits of a positive lifestyle. We are proud to help the work of the American Cancer Society through this project."

The Race4Life car -- the #21 LCI International Reynard-Honda -- will be driven by 1997 PPG-Firestone Indy Lights Champion Tony Kanaan throughout the FedEx Championship Series this year. In the 14 series races held in the US, a Race4Life mobile unit will also be on hand for the fans, staffed by ACS volunteers and providing information on avoiding and beating cancer.

"Tasman Motorsports has created a unique and outstanding 'vehicle' for the mission of the American Cancer Society," said ACS Chief Executive Officer John R. Seffrin, Ph.D. "Millions of race fans now have an opportunity to interact with ACS and get lifesaving information on cancer prevention, treatment and research in a fun and exciting setting. With the participation of other Race4Life corporate sponsors also committed to good health, we also have the chance to raise significant new funds for the fight against cancer. "Our partners at Tasman Motorsports are bringing a bold new theme to this exciting sport. Perhaps two-thirds of the cancer deaths we are experiencing today are connected to the lifestyle choices all of us make. That means we can defend ourselves from cancer if we just apply what we already know," Seffrin said. "We now have a fantastic new way of sharing the power of that knowledge with millions of people we might not be able to reach through other means."

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem through research, education, advocacy and service. The public can access the nation's largest database of cancer information by calling 1-800-ACS-2345, or by visiting the ACS web site, at www.cancer.org.

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org