Audi Serves As an Official Team Sponsor and Automotive Provider of The Foundation Polo Challenge Sponsored by Tiffany & Co.

HERNDON, Va., June 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Underscoring the brand's longtime support of the sport of polo, Audi announced it will be an official sponsor of The Foundation Polo Challenge sponsored by Tiffany & Co., a charity polo match taking place on July 9, 2011 to benefit The American Friends of The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry and the Polo Training Center of Santa Barbara.

The Foundation Polo Challenge will bring together the world's polo elite in Santa Barbara at the famed Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club.  The match will consist of three teams playing six chukkers and players will include Audi Polo Team members Wesley Ru, Marc Ganzi, Juan Bollini and Scott Devon. After the match, the day's festivities will continue with an exclusive private reception and a three-course luncheon designed by celebrity chef Giada de Laurentiis. This high-profile event will not only raise funds for two important charities, but will also kick off the 2011 summer polo season and celebrate the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club's Centennial.

"This partnership was a natural fit for Audi, given the brand's longstanding ties with polo both internationally and domestically," said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America.  "We are honored to be a part of this event and to lend our support to these important charitable causes."

VIP tickets for The Foundation Polo Challenge provide exclusive access to a private reception hosted by Royal Salute, a luncheon by Giada De Laurentiis, reserved grandstand seating for the polo matches and a commemorative souvenir program. Club Admission tickets are also available and include a picnic lunch, reserved bleacher seating, as well as a commemorative souvenir program.  

Audi is supporting the event with a fleet of 2011 Audi A8 vehicles in Santa Barbara for the weekend. This highly coveted vehicle is the brand's all-new luxury flagship sedan complete with features such as a state of the art Bang & Olufsen® Advanced Sound System, Audi Drive Select and MMI Touch® capabilities.

Ticket sales for The Foundation Polo Challenge will benefit The American Friends of The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry and a donation will also be made to the Polo Training Center of Santa Barbara, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club is located at 3375 Foothill Rd. #1200, Carpinteria, CA 93013-3081. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.foundationpolochallenge.com.

ABOUT AUDI

Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. During 2010 Audi was the top performing luxury brand in Europe, and broke all-time company sales records in the U.S. Over the next few years, AUDI AG will invest nearly $16 billion on new products and technologies. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

ABOUT THE AUDI POLO TEAM

Audi has been the exclusive automotive sponsor of the Palm Beach-based polo team led by team patrons Marc and Melissa Ganzi since 2006. Currently ranked 2nd in the World Polo Tour standings, the Audi U.S. Polo Team has accumulated various accolades during their patronage and Audi's sponsorship, including being winners of the 2011 Piaget Gold Cup, 2010 Cup of the America's, 2009 U.S. Open Championship, 2009 Pacific Coast Open and being 2nd at the 2011 U.S. Open Championship. The 2011 Audi team includes Brazilian Rodrigo Andrade, and Argentine brothers Nico Pieres and Gonzalo Pieres, who is currently the #2 ranked polo player in the world. The Audi U.S. Polo Team supports various local charities, among them Best Buddies International, the YMCA of the Palm Beaches, which focuses on helping Palm Beach County's youth, and Curing Children's Cancer, a foundation for the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE FOUNDATION OF PRINCE WILLIAM AND PRINCE HARRY

Prince William and Prince Harry are recognized the world over and they have inherited their parents' philanthropic drive and spirit.  Like their parents before them, they are able to use their positions to help the less fortunate by bringing people together across cultures and age groups.  Inspired by this work The American Friends of The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry was set up in 2011 to raise funds, awareness and make charitable grants to causes close to the Princes' areas of interest.  In particular, The Friends will look to support disadvantaged children and young people in society, conservation and sustainable development, and the support of Veterans and Military Families. The Friends may choose to support The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry or other causes within the areas of focus of The Friends.

SOURCE Audi of America, Inc.