Champ Car drivers to raise money for cancer research

In just a week, elite drivers from the Champ Car World Series, The Cooper Tires Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Series Powered by Mazda, and other racing series will experience the 4.048-mile Road America racing circuit from a totally different perspective – on bicycles rather than behind the wheels of their turbo-charged racing machines.

The Tour de Road America benefiting Lance Armstrong Foundation brings together race fans, drivers, race teams, cancer survivors and cyclists in a fun, family-friendly bicycle ride around Road America’s beautiful permanent road course. For fans of the series, it will be a rare chance to pedal alongside their racing heroes. Participants can ride a single lap or up to 40 miles at their own pace. The ride takes place on August 10, 2007 at 6:30 PM, following the day’s racing events.

Champ Car World Series drivers participating include 3-time Champion Sebastian Bourdais, Graham Rahal, Paul Tracy, Robert Doornbos, Jan Heylen, Bruno Junqueira, Oriol Servia and Dan Clarke. They will be joined on the Champ Car Atlantics Championship side by drivers Simona De Silvestro, Ryan Lewis, Rafael Matos, Franck Perera, Adrian Carrio and Giacomo Ricci.

"I'm looking forward to this great opportunity to ride with my fellow drivers, fans and friends," Graham Rahal smiled. “I'm also proud to support the Lance Armstrong Foundation and my true hero Lance Armstrong."

“Cycling is an integral part of my training and it is one of my favorite things to do when I’m not in the car," stated Jan Heylen. “This event supports the Lance Armstrong Foundation which is a great cause and the opportunity to ride around the Road America track is a unique experience. I look forward to participating in this year’s event because it should be a lot of fun."

The fundraising activities will continue on Saturday and Sunday during the Generac Power Weekend, August 9 – 12, 2007, when autographed Champ Car and Atlantics race memorabilia will be featured in a silent auction.

Information and registration details for the Tour de Road America are available at www.pelotonride.org. Pre-registered participants will receive a T-shirt, water bottle and Cytomax Sport Drink. On-site registration is scheduled for August 10 at the LAF booth near the 4-Mile Merchant.

Held annually since 2004, the Tour de Road America is organized by volunteers for the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF). It has raised nearly $60,000 for the LAF’s cancer survivorship, advocacy, education, and outreach programs. The Tour de Road America is presented by Delta Dental and made possible by the support of Road America, Champ Car, Cytomax Sport Energy Drink, Generac Power Systems, PCW Cycling, Bike-n-Ski, Giordana Cycling Apparel, JHG Benefits, Sargento Foods, Kumho Tires, Tria Design and Marketing, and Bella’s Custom Design. For further information on the Tour de Road America, please visit www.pelotonride.org.