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Isuzu Hosts Rock-Climb Fund Raiser For Challenged Athletes

16 May 2000

Spectators Invited to Experience the Exhilaration of Rock Climbing As They Help Challenged Athletes Experience the Thrill of Competition

      

    OCEANSIDE, Calif. - American Isuzu Motors Inc. is hosting a rock climb 
benefit on behalf of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) at the Isuzu 
Ironman(TM) California Triathlon.  The fund raising event will take place at 
the Isuzu display in the Ironman Athlete Village on May 18,19, and 20.  
Representatives of the CAF will be manning the mobile SolidRock Wall Systems 
24-foot climbing wall device to receive the requested donation of $1.00 per 
climb with all proceeds from the fund raiser going to the foundation.

    The climbing wall features four top-roped climbing routes and is equipped
with CWIG approved belay anchors to ensure a challenging, fun, and safe
climbing adventure.  In addition, the NaturalRock(TM) surface on the climbing
wall has the look and feel of real rock with features found outdoors --
cracks, pockets, and edges.  Experienced climbers looking for more of a
challenge, can climb this wall using only the natural features.

    Isuzu's support of the Challenged Athletes Foundation is continuing to
develop.  In February, at the Competitor Endurance Awards Banquet held in San
Diego, CA, Isuzu donated a one-year car lease to the CAF Silent Auction.
Actor Real Andrews, best known for his role of Taggert on TV's General
Hospital, was the evening's highest bidder and is now driving a new VehiCROSS.

    Bob Reilly, Senior Vice President, COO, SUV, stated that "supporting the
Challenged Athletes Foundation feels right and is something Isuzu should be
involved in.  That's why, in addition to this fund raiser, we have signed on
as the presenting sponsor of the 7th Annual San Diego Triathlon Challenge this
November."

    CAF provides individual grants to athletes with a disability who are in
need of funding for training, equipment or travel expenses to major
competitions.  It is very difficult for athletes to receive financial
assistance from major sponsors, and they are often put in the position of
having to borrow from family or to obtain other private funding.  The CAF
offsets these expenses by providing financial assistance for a specific area
of need.  Applications are received throughout the year until December 15th
and are evaluated on an individual basis in the first week of January of each
year.

    Nearly 90% of the funds go directly to assisting disabled athletes and to
an endowment fund, not to unnecessary overhead.  The goal of the foundation is
to raise $1,000,000 over a period of ten years and set up an endowment fund so
disabled athletes will always have a place to go for funding.  The primary
fundraiser for CAF is the San Diego Triathlon Challenge.

    American Isuzu Motors Inc. is the U.S. distributor of Isuzu sport utility
vehicles with a 10-year or 120,000 mile Powertrain Limited Warranty;
commercial vehicles and diesel engines.