Celebrities Tear Up The Track For Kids Charity 30th Anniversary Toyota Pro/Celeb rity Race (NAPSA)—For the past 29 years, celebrities from film, television, music and sports have taken i " > rae race car driver.” After competing in the 2005 their spots on the starting grid race, Patrick Dempsey, Dr. Derek Shepherd “Grey’s Anatomy,” now professional racing as a will be classified in the behind the wheel of a revved-up Toyota sports coupe while racing through the streets of Long Beach, California as part of the Toyota puts on a great event that’s a lot George Lucas, Ashley Judd, Lil’ of fun, very competitive and most importantly for a great charity cause. I had such a great experi- Kim, Sean Astin, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Gene Hackman, Clint Eastwood, Woody Harrelson, Karl Leno, Matt LeBlanc, Queen Latifah, Joe Montana, Patrick Dempsey, John Elway and dozens of others have tested their skills racing through 10 laps of heart- pounding, action-packed turns at over 100 mph—all for the benefit of children’s hospitals. A highlight of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Toyota who plays on ABC’s dabbles in hobby and “pro” cate- gory for the 2006 race. “Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. Over 370 fan favorites such as Cameron Diaz, Malone, Kelsey Grammer, Jay transformation from celebrity to running corporate charity event ence last year that I jumped at the chance to be involved again,” said Dempsey. In addition to learning the tricks and trades of competitive racing, the star-studded group of its kind. raises money for “Racing for After completing training, they hit the street course in Long Beach benefiting children’s hospitals. Each year, the celebrities visit of tens of thousands, as well as on smiles, laughter and inspiration. A highlight of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race is the longest- Kids,” a national organization Pro/Celebrity Race is the longest- for a practice session, followed by the actual race (April 8), which rips and roars to a cheering crowd Stars competing for the checkered flag show up race weekend national television. “The excitement and competition is fierce,” said Les Unger, Since 1991, the race has raised more than $1.3 million for charity. Donations are split equally “Celebrities sign up thinking this race will be a friendly competition County. The 2006 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race will take place on Saturday, running corporate-sponsored event of its kind. with much more than a cameraready smile. Participants commit to eight days of charity involve- ment, car preparation and actual racing, including an intensive four-day training session that teaches stars how to properly handle the vehicles and how to manage the complexities of the track. national motorsports manager at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. for a good cause. Comerace day, rivalries and friendships have developed, setting the stage for an exciting and dramatic display of adrenaline. It’s fun to watch the Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach to spend time with sick and recovering children, evoking between Miller Children’s and Children’s Hospital of Orange April 8 through the streets of downtown Long Beach, California and will be broadcast nationally on SPEED.
