Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto - More than $50,000 Raised for Make-A-Wish ® Canada through Fund-Raising Initiatives at Honda Indy Toronto - Effort supported through Donated Sponsorship of Paul Tracy

More than $50,000 Raised for Make-A-Wish ® Canada through Fund-Raising Initiatives at Honda Indy Toronto - Effort supported through Donated Sponsorship of Paul Tracy

: Honda Indy Toronto; News; 20 July 2010

Toronto, ON (July 20, 2010) - After an exciting week of fundraising initiatives on and off the track, the Ontario Dealers Association of Canada and Honda Canada Inc. announce that, together with generous fans, they raised more than $50,000 in support of Make-A-Wish® Canada, the charity that Honda Canada has donated its sponsorship signage for Paul Tracy’s race suit, pit signage and #15 Make-A-Wish Canada/KV Racing Technology/Honda/Dallara/Firestone car.

“We are delighted to partner with corporations like Honda that share our commitment to children with life-threatening medical conditions,” said Jennifer Ritter, Chief Executive Officer for Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Canada. “It’s thanks to partners like Honda Canada and the Ontario Dealers Association of Canada that we can fulfill our magical mission.”

Visitors to the Honda Indy Toronto and various race week events were invited to offer a donation in exchange for programming and interactive activities that included racing simulators, tire change challenges and pitching cages. For a donation, racing fans were also invited to sign Paul Tracy’s race suit that was worn in Sunday’s Honda Indy Toronto race. The highlight of fundraising activities was “Free Friday” at the track, a first for the event, in which fans were invited to attend Friday practice and qualifying sessions at no charge.

“We are thrilled that Free Friday was such a success,” said Brian Tafler, owner of Midtown Honda speaking on behalf of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association. “We asked fans to consider making a donation to Make-a-Wish Canada and they definitely answered the call.”

Fans contributed more than $25,000, which was matched dollar-for-dollar by Honda Canada for a total of more than $50,000. There will be additional fundraising this week at the Honda Indy Edmonton race where Paul Tracy will again be racing in the #15 Make-A-Wish Canada/KV Racing Technology/Honda/Dallara/Firestone car.

“At Honda Canada we believe in the power of dreams,” said Arch Wilcox, vice-president of marketing and sponsorships for Honda Canada. “This donation will help make dreams come true for numerous children facing adversity. We are happy that we can contribute to the well-being of these children and offer fans a special event of fun, too.”

About Honda Canada Inc.:

Honda Canada (www.Honda.ca) has sold more than 3,300,000 Honda and Acura passenger cars and light-duty trucks in Canada over the past 38 years. A record high 91 per cent of the Honda and Acura vehicles sold in Canada last year were produced at the company’s assembly plants in North America, up nearly 3 per cent from the previous year. In addition, 52 per cent of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in Canada last year were built at the two Honda of Canada Mfg. plants in Alliston, Ontario, which has built more than 5,300,000 Honda and Acura cars and trucks since 1986.

About Make-A-Wish® Canada:

Make-A-Wish Canada (www.makeawish.ca) is a dynamic wish-granting organization that brings hope, strength and joy to children across Canada living with life-threatening medical conditions. Along with the national office, seven independent regional chapters grant magical wishes to children in need from coast-to-coast. Make-A-Wish Canada is an affiliate of Make-A-Wish® International, the largest wish-granting organization in the world, making dreams and wishes come true for more than 240,000 children since 1980.

For More Information:

Kathleen Stelmach

Torchia Communications

(416) 341-9929 ext. 227

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Richard Jacobs

Honda Canada

(905) 888-4102

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