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10 June 2010
LAND ROVER JOINS SIR STEVE REDGRAVE IN RACE ACROSS AMERICA
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With the ever-capable LR4 leading the support caravan, Land Rover travels coast to coast, 3000 Miles in just Eight Days, Crossing 14 States, Two Mountain Ranges and Extreme Weather to Raise Money for Disadvantaged Children
MAHWAH, NJ, June 10, 2010 – Land Rover announced today that it will sponsor Sir Steve Redgrave, Britain's most accomplished Olympic athlete, as he takes part in The Race Across America (RAAM). Land Rover's LR 4 will be outfitted with a roof rack and swing away bike rack to transport bicycles and serve as the lead support vehicle for Redgrave's team as they aim to raise much needed funds for the Steve Redgrave Fund and Sport Relief; two charities that support people living incredibly tough lives, both in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries.
The Race Across America, which started in 1982, is one of the most respected and longest running annual endurance events. Teams of eight have a relay format and race 24 hours a day over 3,000 miles. They will cross the country, in six to nine days, averaging 350 to over 500 miles per day. This year's race will begin June 12 at the Oceanside Pier in Oceanside, California and end in Annapolis, Maryland.
"We are pleased to have been approached by Sir Steve Redgrave to join him for such a worthy cause," said Chris Marchand, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Land Rover North America. "The Race Across America will provide 3,000 miles to showcase the LR4's versatility and wide range of capabilities. It can carry huge loads in its spacious interior, climb mountains, effortlessly cruise across all terrains, haul trailers and transport up to seven team members in comfort. The LR4 will be a great complement to the team."
The LR4 is Land Rover's most capable vehicle to date. The supremely versatile SUV features a powerful, yet sophisticated, new 5.0-liter LR-V8 direct injection engine that is optimized for a balanced combination of performance and efficiency. Its class-leading breadth of capability is extended even further with improvements for both on- and off-road driving. The LR4 has new suspension components, revised steering, larger brakes, improved traction control and revised Terrain Response™ system which helps optimize the vehicle for all on-road and off-road driving situations. In addition, new user-friendly features such as Tow Assist, Keyless Entry, Push-Button start, automatic high beam assist and available Surround Camera system have been added for an enhanced owner experience. Frank Dauerer, a Land Rover Product Manager, will be in the driver's seat as the team departs from California.
"This is going to be one of the toughest challenges of my life so it is important that my team and support crew have every advantage we can get," said Sir Steve Redgrave. "The addition of the LR4 as our lead vehicle fills me with confidence. It will provide invaluable back up for not only me, but all the riders on the team. We are grateful to Land Rover North America for their help."
To learn more about the LR4 and read about Frank Dauerer's experience along the way, log onto www.InteractiveLandRover.com.
Donations can be made at the Redgrave Crew’s Just Giving Page www.justgiving.com/redgraveraceacrossamerica and the team’s build up and progress during the race can be followed on www.redgravecrew.com and on Twitter @redgravecrew and Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Redgrave-Crew-Race-Across-America/102425483127631 .
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About Land Rover
www.InteractiveLandRover.com
Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true "breadth of capability" across the model range. Defender, LR2 (Freelander 2), LR4 (Discovery 4), Range Rover Sport and Range Rover each define the world's 4x4 sectors, with 78% of this model range exported to over 140 countries. Land Rover employs 8,500 people and supports a further 40,000 jobs supported in the supply chain.
Land Rover takes its responsibility to the environment seriously. Emissions have been cut with all new models and, together with Jaguar, Land Rover is investing £800m on technology specifically aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Since September 2006, carbon dioxide generated by Land Rover manufacturing activities and UK customer vehicle use has been balanced through an industry leading offset program run by Climate Care.
About RAAM:
Race Across America
www.raceacrossamerica.org
Since 1982 RAAM has become one of the world’s most respected annual endurance events. It is one of the pinnacles of sporting accomplishment, globally seen as the highest rung of the endurance sports ladder. The Race Across America is an event so staggering that merely to finish is, for most, the accomplishment of a lifetime. RAAM inspires everyone that it touches. A monumental race contested with the utmost of sportsmanship and zeal. Truly, RAAM is larger than life. A breeding ground for champions, a testing ground for elite riders and a shining example of the strength of human spirit.
About Steve Redgrave Fund
www.steveredgravefund.com
The Steve Redgrave Fund aims to use the power of sport and sporting activity to bring about positive change in the lives of disadvantaged children, young people and their communities.
The Steve Redgrave Fund supports community groups, small charities and schools in areas of economic or social deprivation, predominately in the UK, who utilise sport and sporting activities - especially but not exclusively rowing - to promote physical and emotional well being, the inclusion of people having difficulties in their lives, community cohesion, and education.
The Steve Redgrave Fund (formerly known as The Sir Steve Redgrave Charitable Trust) was established as an independent charity in 2001. In 2008, the Trust teamed up with Sport Relief, and joined the Comic Relief family to form the Steve Redgrave Fund.
The Steve Redgrave Fund and Sport Relief are managed by Comic Relief, registered with the Charity Commission, No. 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland). 50 percent of all monies raised by the Steve Redgrave Fund will be given to Sport Relief.
About Sport Relief www.sportrelief.com
As one of the UK’s biggest fundraising events, Sport Relief brings the entire nation together to get active, raise cash and change lives. The Sport Relief Weekend took place from Friday 19th March to Sunday 21st March 2010 with the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile events across the UK on Sunday 21st March. All the cash raised by the public will help transform the lives of those living tough lives across the UK and the world’s poorest countries.
Since its launch in 2002, millions of people have taken part in Sport Relief, helping to raise over £110 million. Sport Relief has a unique history of dedicated people doing extraordinary things to rise to the challenge, from David Walliams’ astonishing swim across the English Channel to Eddie Izzard’s truly amazing marathon a day around the UK. Further information is available on www.sportrelief.com
The Steve Redgrave Fund and Sport Relief are managed by Comic Relief, registered with the Charity Commission, No. 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland). 50 percent of all monies raised by the Steve Redgrave Fund will be given to Sport Relief.
About Sir Steve Redgrave
Having set out to win three Olympic Gold Medals at the beginning of his career, Steve went on to win an incredible five Gold’s in five successive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000.
Since retiring from competitive sport, Steve has maintained his habit of exceeding his targets. The Steve Redgrave Fund forged its way beyond the £5 Million target that Steve set when launching the charity in 2001 and that total has continued to build since joining forces with Sport Relief.
In addition to maintaining a busy schedule as a motivational speaker, Steve has spent his time developing strategic commercial relationships and, having helped London to win the bid to host the Olympics in 2012, is now committed to ensuring the event provides a lasting legacy for sport in the future as well as promoting the best of this country around the world in the run up to 2012.
Contact:
Leah Watkins-Hall
Manager, Corporate, Brand and Interactive Communications
201.760.8578
lwatki40@jaguarlandrover.com
Stefanie Schiavello
Specialist, Corporate, Brand and Interactive Communications
201.818.8025
sschiave@jaguarlandrover.com