Fernandez named LBGP Runway honorary host

INDIANAPOLIS, IN Adrian Fernandez's first Champ Car race was at Long Beach in 1993. He returns this year in a dual role as team owner/co- driver of one of Acura's new American Le Mans Series entries and as honorary host of CARA Charities' fifth annual Raceway Rendezvous on Friday, April 13.

"Long Beach is a special event there is so much racing history there," noted Adrian. "And CARA's creativity with their annual charity event makes it a special oasis in a busy weekend. It is a friendly and informal night of fun for drivers, team owners and race fans. It is one of the more enjoyable events of the year and I will have fun hosting it."

This year's "Castaways of G-Force Island" will take place on board Hornblower's SS Endless Dreams. The cruise of Long Beach harbor will feature an on-board casino night with live and silent auctions. Some of the items up for bid include a six bottle set of the sold out 2003 Quintessa Rutherford; a framed driver- autographed collage of tickets from the 2006 season; a weekend stay in the Hyatt Regency; brunch for two at Spaghettini; a nights stay at the Long Beach Hilton, and a weekend stay at the Long Beach Hyatt Regency. In addition, CARA partners Champ Car and the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach have donated special VIP access packages that include items unavailable to the public like time in the Champ Car starters stand for race warm-up, overcrew passes, victory circle access, and passes to the exclusive Ocean Club. "We will continue to get auction items from now through the race weekend and expect our final list to surpass last year's in variety and individuality," said Vicki Faivre, president of CARA Charities.

Boarding is at 6:30 PM in Long Beach's Rainbow Harbor at the foot of Pine Street, next to the Hyatt Bridge. The cruise departs at 7:30 PM and will tour the harbor for an hour. For those wishing to debark early, the Endless Dreams will return to port at 8:30 PM and than go out for another hour tour at 9:00 PM.

Tickets are available by calling CARA Charities at (317) 299-2277, or by going on line at www.caracharities.org. Tickets are $150 per person and tables of eight are $1,000. Sponsorships are also available.

Entering their second quarter century of giving, CARA is a leading motorsports charity that has donated more than $4 million dollars to dozens of philanthropic causes helping children, hospitals, scholarships funds, ministries and numerous charity foundations. CARA