Audi Teams Up With Athletes and Celebrities for Fourth Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle

HERNDON, Va., Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Audi, in conjunction with Best Buddies International, today announced the anticipated celebrity and athlete attendees at this year's Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle on September 11, a charity bicycle ride along the Pacific Coast Highway, with breathtaking views, green forest and golden hills all on the way to the Hearst Castle. 1,500 people are expected to participate in the Challenge benefiting Best Buddies' simple, yet powerful mission: provide opportunities for friendship, employment and leadership development to individuals with intellectual and development disabilities.

For the fourth year in a row, Audi is proudly joining Best Buddies International as the event's Title Sponsor and the Official Vehicle in what has become one of the organization's key fundraising initiatives. This year's bike ride will bring together athletes, dignitaries, actors and supporters working to beat last year's fundraising record of close to $4 million in total donations for Best Buddies International.

Audi of America's Chief Marketing Officer Scott Keogh and other senior executives will welcome celebrity guests and riders to the Challenge which starts at the Quail Lodge Golf Club in Carmel and ends at the Hearst Ranch in San Simeon where post-ride celebrations will include a private concert by chart-topping singer/songwriter Natasha Bedingfield. California's First Lady Maria Shriver will serve as Honorary Chairperson for the seventh year in a row, and is expected to be joined by Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Lewis; Actors David Hasselhoff, Rob Lowe, and Verne Troyer; Actresses Haley Hasselhoff and Kelly Hu; "The Amazing Race" host Phil Keoghan; "Miracle on the Hudson" hero Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger; musician Kenny G; Miss California USA Nicole Johnson; "So You Think You Can Dance" Season Five Winner Jeanine Mason; Ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes; Freestyle Motocrosser Larry Linkogle; and Pro-Cyclists Dylan Casey, Linda Jackson, Trent Lowe, Brooke Miller, Larry Nolan, Mike Sinyard, Kurt Stockton, and Bernard Van Ulden.

All celebrities will be encouraged to team up with Best Buddies participants to compete in "Friendship Races" on tandem bicycles. And, this year, in order to celebrate the inspiration, impact, and indomitable spirit of the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics founder, long-time Best Buddies supporter and board member, there will be two special "Friendship Races" in her honor called the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Mom's Challenge and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Dad's Challenge.  During these special races, Challenge participants will be invited to team up with their mothers and fathers to compete for gold, silver and bronze medals.

"Audi is honored to once again serve as the Title Sponsor for such an inspiring and extraordinary event," said Johan de Nysschen, president of Audi of America.  "Since the inception of our partnership with Best Buddies International in 2007, we have learned firsthand the impact of events like this one on the lives of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and have helped raise more than $34 million in total donations to support this cause.  The Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle holds a special place in our hearts, and we couldn't be prouder to be here."

A fleet of all-new Audi A8 vehicles will travel along the Pacific Coast Highway, serving as the official pace car for the riders. The 2011 Audi A8 is the new generation of the Audi brand's flagship, introducing a new era in progressive excellence.  In addition, 'Team Audi,' composed of more than 60 Audi employees, dealers and agencies, will participate in the Challenge, and have raised over $60,000 to support the corporate contributions.

"Best Buddies is extremely grateful for Audi's strong continual support," said Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International.  "Audi's contributions go far beyond financial ones, as the company has done a tremendous job of encouraging all of its employees to get engaged with our mission.  We first announced our partnership in 2007, and have since built an incredible friendship that goes way above and beyond."

About Audi of America

Audi of America, Inc. and its 272 U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. During 2009 Audi outsold all other luxury brands in Europe, while in the U.S. market Audi posted the largest market share gain of any luxury automotive brand. Between 2010 and 2012 the Audi Group is planning to invest around euro 5.5 billion, mainly in new products, in order to sustain the Company's technological lead.  Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

About Best Buddies International

Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,500 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies seven formal programs – Colleges, High Schools, Middle Schools, Citizens, e-Buddies® , Jobs and Best Buddies Ambassadors – engage participants in 46 countries, positively impacting the lives of 700,000 people with and without disabilities, as well as their respective network of family, friends, and employers. As a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org or www.bestbuddieschallenge.org.

SOURCE Audi of America, Inc.