Mid-Ohio: Rahal Letterman Racing special program notes

RAHAL LETTERMAN RACING TO FEATURE TEEN DRIVING PROGRAM DRIVER'S EDGE ON #17 ETHANOL INDYCAR AT MID-OHIO

HILLIARD, Ohio (July 17, 2008) -- The IndyCar Series and Rahal Letterman Racing have been on the leading edge of safety in motorsports in the last decade, with the IndyCar Series pioneering the use of safety enhancements such as the SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barriers at race tracks around the world, which have been directly responsible for reducing the effects of high-speed crashes on drivers.

The emphasis on safety does not stop at the racetrack however, and Rahal Letterman Racing will hope to drive that point home this weekend by supporting the Driver's Edge, a nationally recognized non-profit organization and teen driving safety program. RLR will carry the Driver's Edge logo on the #17 Ethanol-sponsored Indy Car driven by Ryan Hunter-Reay at this weekend's Honda Indy 200 Presented by Westfield Insurance at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course -- which can be seen live Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC.

The Driver's Edge National Tour travels around the United States, conducting free driving safety clinics for young drivers aged 15 to 21. The program focuses on giving young drivers instruction on not only how to avoid dangerous incidents on the road, but also what to do once a driver finds themselves in a situation such as a skid or collision. The program also works with local law enforcement to educate drivers about the effects of impaired driving, use of seat belts and avoiding distractions while driving.

"We're really excited about this opportunity to bring awareness to our organization," said Driver's Edge President Steven Tepper. "Being featured on the #17 Ethanol car is a huge opportunity for us to draw attention to our cause. As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on donations and corporate partnerships to help us with our mission to save lives out on the highways. We are grateful to Team Ethanol and Rahal Letterman Racing for providing this incredible exposure."

The 2008 Driver's Edge National Tour runs through December, visiting 18 different markets in their efforts to reduce the number of collisions and fatalities among young drivers -- which is the leading cause of death among Americans aged 16 to 24. For more information about Driver's Edge, please visit www.driversedge.org.

"I am proud and pleased to carry the Driver's Edge logo on the Ethanol Indy Car this weekend at Mid-Ohio," said Hunter-Reay. "Anything we can do to help make the highways safer aids everyone that gets behind the wheel -- not just the younger, inexperienced drivers. It is important for us to help in any way we can and this partnership is a part of that."

-credit: rlr