IRL Indy Car Driver Richie Hearn and Sam Schmidt Motorsports Lend Their Support to Outstanding Non-profit Driver's Education Program Giving Teens the Driver's Edge
Innovative Curriculum Designed to Raise Awareness and Combat the Deficiencies in Teenage Driver Education Indianapolis (May 22, 2003) -- Richie Hearn and Sam Schmidt Motorsports are active supporters of the Driver's Edge, an innovative MTV-style driver's education program for teens and young adults that assists in their development as safe, successful drivers. Driver's Edge (www.driversedge.org), a FREE program conducted by professional drivers including Richie Hearn, is committed to saving lives and making our highways safer. Through the assistance of supporters such as Sam Schmidt Motorsports and Bridgestone/Firestone, the Driver's Edge program will reach over 7000 young drivers in 2003 during its current 12 city-tour. "I have a soon-to-be-driving teenager at home, so the importance of a program such as Driver's Edge is not only something I advocate, it is also something I understand and appreciate," says IRL driver Richie Hearn. "I cannot wait to have my own teen to participate in the program, something for us both to enjoy and share in." Driver's Edge was developed to combat the increasing number of automobile accidents and fatalities involving teens and young adults. The statistics are staggering: * A full classroom of high school aged children are killed everyday as a result of automobile crashes * In 2001, more than 9,000 youths under the age of 20 lost their lives to auto accidents (Double the amount killed by violent crimes or guns) * Drivers aged 15-24 are 20 times more likely to be involved in fatal car accidents * Drivers aged 15-24 account for over 25% of all auto-related fatalities "Assisting in the development of safe and knowledgeable drivers is vital as we strive to decrease the number of teen accidents and fatalities on our nation's roads," said Schmidt. "We are thrilled to be a part of the Driver's Edge, and applaud Jeff Payne in his efforts to provide a training ground for young drivers." Unlike traditional driver education courses, Driver's Edge offers students a different type of behind-the-wheel experiences. Students learn skills in evasive lane changes, anti-lock and panic braking maneuvers and skid control. Students also learn the principles that relate to vehicle dynamics and load transfer. "Driver education is extremely important, especially among young people," said Mark Emkes, Chairman, CEO and President of Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC, and the manufacturer of the Firestone Firehawk -- the official tire of the INDY® 500. Jeff Payne, Driver's Edge founder and former-professional race car driver, designed Driver's Edge in response to the lack of facilities, budgets and expertise for traditional programs. "There is a serious need for this kind of hands-on education. Many states have discontinued behind-the-wheel driving instruction in public schools," said Payne. "Reaching out to youth and teaching them the importance of safe and responsible driving is an extremely important issue that affects us all," added Payne. Although the value of the Driver's Edge program is $450 per person, there is no cost for young drivers to attend, thanks to the tremendous support of community-oriented corporations, including Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, AAA, Sam Schmidt Motorsports and Red Bull. The 2003 Driver's Edge tour calendar began in February in Phoenix and continued to Los Angeles, Dallas, Nashville and New York. Upcoming dates include: June 14-Washington, DC, July 19- Detroit, July 24 - Minneapolis, August 2 - Chicago, August 16- Oklahoma City, September 13- San Francisco, September 20-21 - San Bernardino, and October 4- Salt Lake City. About Richie Hearn Hearn, from Las Vegas, who qualified 28th for this year's running of the Indianapolis 500 will drive the #99 Contour Hardening Special Panoz G-Force/Toyota/Firestone, entry for Sam Schmidt Motorsports. Hearn has made three Indianapolis 500 starts, with a best finish of third as a rookie in 1996. He made nine starts for Sam Schmidt Motorsports in the 2002 IRL IndyCarTM Series season with a best finish of fourth at Nashville. He finished sixth in the Indianapolis 500 in a Schmidt entry. Hearn has one career Indy Car Series victory, in 1996 at Las Vegas. About Sam Schmidt Motorsports and the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation - Indianapolis 500 veteran Schmidt is one of the leading owners in the IRL Infiniti Pro Series, the official development series of the Indy Racing League. This is the team's first Indy Car Series entry this season. The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation helps individuals overcome spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illnesses by facilitating scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation and technology advances. The Foundation raises funds to improve the quality of lives and ensure best possible outcomes by touching individual lives. About Driver's Edge - Driver's Edge, a registered 501c(3) non-profit organization, is committed to providing young drivers, regardless of social or economical status, with the necessary skills and education to safely respond to a variety of hazardous driving situation. About Bridgestone / Firestone North American Tire, LLC Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate and private brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, agriculture and other tires to its customers in the Americas.
