Patron joins CARA Charities at Long Beach

Patron Spirits, title sponsor of the Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series at Long Beach and Patron Highcroft Racing, and Acura Motorsports will join with CARA Charities as an associate sponsor of the 2008 Raceway Rendezvous Casino Cruise scheduled for Friday, April 18th held in conjunction with the Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend.

"The American Le Mans Series has long been involved in community and charitable outreach," said Scott Atherton, President and CEO of the American Le Mans Series. "CARA is recognized as a long-time philanthropic leader in the motorsports community for reaching out and meeting a wide cross section of needs, and we look forward to participating with them in this fun and very worthwhile event."

American Le Mans Series drivers David Brabham and Scott Sharp of Patron Highcroft Racing will be on hand along with the Patron girls who will hand out welcome drinks and cheer.

"Our support of American Le Mans Series racing and the Long Beach competition goes well beyond just a presence on the track. We're honored to also have the opportunity to support CARA and sponsor the Casino Cruise, one of the most anticipated events of the weekend," says Ed Brown, President and CEO of the Las Vegas-based Patron Spirits Company.

Other special guests slated to attend that evening include American Le Mans Series drivers Marino Franchitti, Gunnar Jeannette and Luis Diaz. Special emcee for the evening again will be well-known Southern California Classic Rock/racing personality, Uncle Joe Benson.

Boarding is at 6:30 p.m. PT in Long Beach's Rainbow Harbor at the foot of Pine Street, next to the Hyatt Bridge. The cruise departs at 7:30 p.m. and will tour the harbor for an hour. For those wishing to debark early, the Hornblower's SS Endless Dreams will return to port at 8:30 p.m. and then go out for another hour tour at 9 p.m. Tickets are available by calling CARA Charities at (317) 299-2277, or by going on line at www.caracharities.org. Tickets are $100 per person. Additionally, tickets can be purchased Friday at the American Le Mans Series merchandise location in Vendors Row at the Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series at Long Beach.