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[/media-credit]Toyota Launches the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge Contest
Four Top NASCAR and NHRA Drivers Compete Head-to-Head for Charity
TORRANCE, Calif., (September 18, 2012) — Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. announced today the Toyota Racing ‘Dream Build Challenge,’ a vehicle-modification competition where the fans get to determine the winner. Any fan in the world will be able to go to www.ToyotaRacingDreamBuild.com to watch the builds take shape through a series of reality-style ‘minisodes.’
NASCAR stars Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer will be modifying a Camry sedan and a Prius hybrid, respectively, while NHRA standouts Antron Brown will be building a Sequoia SUV and Alexis DeJoria a Tundra pickup truck. Though the drivers are competing for glory against one another, the real victor will be the winning driver’s charity of choice, which will receive a $50,000 check from Toyota.
“The Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge highlights Toyota’s commitment to great cars, great racing, and our great fans,” said Keith Dahl, Toyota’s national motorsports and engagement marketing manager. “Each driver was given the same resources to ensure a fair fight, and we ourselves are thrilled to see it all unfold.”
Voting will open on Oct. 20 and continue for 10 days. Fans will be able to vote once per day via Facebook and enter to win prizes, including a Toyota Racing ‘Dream Trip,’ which will be given away to one lucky fan.
The final vehicle builds will be unveiled at a press conference in the Toyota display at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show in Las Vegas on Oct. 30. Fans will be able to tune-in live to watch the entire press conference and see the winner announced in real time.
Here are the charities for the four participants:
CLINT BOWYER – The mission of the Emporia Community Foundation (www.emporiacf.org/) is to improve the quality of life in Emporia, Kansas, Bowyer’s home town, and the surrounding communities. ECF is a collection of funds and resources donated by caring citizens, including Bowyer himself, who have chosen to make their community a better place to live and work, now and in the future.
ANTRON BROWN – Racers for Christ (www.teamrfc.org/) – part of the Christian Motorsports International, Inc., family of ministries and often called ‘Team RFC’-was established in 1971 as a fellowship for Christians in the sport of motor racing. Its members conduct non-denominational chapel services at more than 2,000 local and professional racing events nationwide every year.
KYLE BUSCH – The mission of the Kyle Busch Foundation (http://www.kylebuschfoundation.org/) is to empower young men and women by fostering life experiences and helping them achieve their goals. Through special events, the foundation supports programs focused on teens and young adults, the terminally ill, safe driving and recreation. Charities that KBF supports include B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe), Young Life, Speedway Children’s Charities, Make a Wish, the NASCAR Foundation, Wave Warriors Surf Camp and more.
ALEXIS DEJORIA – Safety Harbor Kids ) was formed in 2007 for the purpose of enriching the lives of orphans, foster children and homeless children through education. It currently serves more than 2,000 needy children in over 15 group homes and shelters in and around Los Angeles. Its goal is to build a college, Career and the Arts Education Center where at-risk children can acquire the resources they need to get ahead in life.
The $50,000 check that will go to one of these four worthwhile causes is representative of Toyota’s own commitment to charitable endeavors. Since 1991, Toyota (http://www.toyota.com/about/philanthropy/) has contributed over half a billion dollars to philanthropic programs in the U.S. alone.
