Conyers-Riverside Ford Sponsors African-American Hydroplane Team
8 July 1998
Conyers-Riverside Ford Sponsors Only African-American Hydroplane Team: Driver to AppearDETROIT, July 8 -- Conyers-Riverside Ford -- Detroit's only and the country's oldest African-American owned auto dealership -- will exclusively sponsor the nation's only African-American hydroplane racing team for the automotive Gold Cup race at Detroit Thunderfest. The sponsorship was announced yesterday by Conyers-Riverside Ford President Nathan Conyers. "It has always been my commitment to enrich and enlighten our community," said Conyers, who has been in business now for more than 28 years. "This racing team is something that everyone -- especially our youngsters -- should know exists." Hydroplane driver Jerry Bell had been seeking a sponsor for his team for the Detroit race for some time, and was delighted that Conyers deemed his efforts worthy of support. "It is impressive to see a man who actually lives by his own words," Bell said of Conyers. "When he talks of giving back to the community, it is obvious that he does." Bell, who is a Detroit native, has raced since 1994, and placed second in last year's Detroit Gold Cup race. He will make an appearance at Conyers-Riverside Ford on Thursday, July 10, 1998 from 5 to 7 p.m. with one of his three (3) hydroplanes to sign autographs. Conyers-Riverside Ford is located at 1833 E. Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, just West of St. Aubin Bell will race in this weekend's Thunderfest July 11-13, on the Detroit River.