Ram Truck Brand Brings Popular 'Ram Ride and Drive' Track to THE ACM EXPERIENCE, March 30-April 1 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• Free Ride and Drive makes Las Vegas debut after popular Chicago event
• 21,000-square-foot track provides one-of-a-kind, interactive experience for truck fans
• Track features thrilling, 'can't miss' Ram Mountain hill climb looking out over the Academy of Country Music's first-ever ACM EXPERIENCE

Fans attending THE ACM EXPERIENCE in Las Vegas March 30-April 1 will have the opportunity to "ride country" on a free 21,000-square-foot interactive "Ram Ride and Drive" test-track created by the Ram Truck brand on the south lot of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. THE ACM EXPERIENCE takes place in conjunction with The Week Vegas Goes Country® -- leading up to the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards (ACMs) on Sunday, April 1, at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time/Pacific Standard Time on CBS.

The one-of-a-kind Ram Ride and Drive track pairs riders with professional drivers so fans can experience firsthand the performance, capabilities and competitive advantages of Ram 1500 pickup trucks on a course comprised of several obstacles that simulate some of the rigorous testing Ram trucks endure before customers get behind the wheel. The course includes a thrilling hill climb where passengers experience Ram traction capabilities while climbing a 30-degree-angle Ram Mountain. Atop the mountain, riders sit nearly 20 feet off the ground and have a panoramic view of THE ACM EXPERIENCE and a great photo opportunity.

The Ram Ride and Drive comes to Las Vegas and THE ACM EXPERIENCE after its February debut at the Chicago Auto Show where it attracted more than 25,000 participants and received rave reviews. It is open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday, March 30; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday, March 31; and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday, April 1. Participants 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and be at least 44 inches tall.

"The Ram Truck track will be engaging and memorable for riders as they experience the refined interior, capabilities and handling of the Ram 1500," said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "Ram Truck fans and country music fans are one and the same as they are cut from the same cloth. We are excited to be a part of this first-ever event at the Academy of Country Music Awards and to give our mutual fans the opportunity to ride and drive the most innovative lineup of full-size pickup trucks on the market."

Additional track features include:

• A 12-foot-by-25-foot section of terrain simulating I-beams measuring 12 inches in height
• A steel articulation demonstration of the truck's body strength
• A series of off-set steel ribbons that highlight the truck's segment-exclusive coil-spring rear suspension
• Steel culverts that demonstrate the stability and ride quality of Ram trucks

Each guest taking a ride will receive a free Ram brand gift and will be registered in a sweepstakes to win $45,000 toward any Chrysler Group vehicle. In addition, riders can get their photos taken with a 2012 Ram truck and have their questions answered by Ram brand product specialists.

The Ram Ride and Drive is part of the brand's multi-faceted, multi-media partnership with the Academy of Country Music Awards. Now in its third year, the partnership includes Ram sponsoring "Entertainer of the Year" fan voting and the "ACM Ram Red Carpet." In addition, Ram is the exclusive automotive sponsor of the CBS network broadcast of the April 1 ACM Awards and is sponsoring various radio and digital programming leading up to and through the awards broadcast. Ram trucks will be integrated into various program elements including the red carpet arrivals of some artists.

About THE ACM EXPERIENCE

THE ACM EXPERIENCE is a first-ever, free, open-to-the public country music lifestyle event created for fans during The Week Vegas Goes Country. It is a fan-focused three-day event dedicated to immersing fans in the country music lifestyle, allowing enthusiasts to "shop country, taste country, ride country, and hear country" throughout the weekend. Located inside and in front of Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, THE ACM EXPERIENCE includes the ACM BBQ Throwdown, ACM Expo, the Ram Ride and Drive and more, and will be held March 30-April 1. A free, open-to-the-public ACM Concert - Salute to the Military takes place Saturday, March 31, and the events will culminate in the ACM Fan Jam, a ticketed event hosted by Zac Brown Band, on Sunday, April 1.

THE ACM EXPERIENCE will take place in conjunction with The Week Vegas Goes Country, that includes the main event, the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, honoring country music's top talent and the industry's hottest emerging talent, to be broadcast from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 1, at 8:00 p.m. live Eastern Daylight Time/Pacific Daylight Time on the CBS television network.

About Ram Truck Brand

The Ram Truck brand continues to establish its own identity and clearly define its customer since its launch as the newest Chrysler Group LLC vehicle brand. Creating a stand-alone brand for Ram trucks has allowed the brand to concentrate on how core customers use their trucks and what new features they'd like to see. Whether focusing on a family that uses its half-ton truck day in and day out, a hard-working Ram Heavy Duty owner or a business that depends on its commercial vehicles every day, Ram has the truck market covered.

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC