Audi Teamed Up With Star Quarterback Tom Brady and Celebrities to Support People With Intellectual Disabilities

HERNDON, Va., June 3, 2009 — Audi and Best Buddies International, a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for one-to-one friendship and integrated employment to people with intellectual disabilities, this weekend joined forces with star quarterback Tom Brady and celebrities for the annual Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port charity bicycle tour and fundraising events. With more than 1,500 participants and close to US $4 million raised, the 2009 ride beat last year's record to once again make it the most successful fundraising initiative in Best Buddies' and Audi's history. Audi's underwriting of the ride means that every dollar raised over the course of the weekend goes directly to the charity and its programs.

Celebrity participants including Tom Brady and his supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen, New England Patriots team mates Nick Kaczur, Dan Koppen, Logan Mankins, Steve Neal, and Pierre Woods, Senator John Kerry, Olympic gold-medalist Carl Lewis, actors Verne Troyer, David Spade and Maureen McCormick and Miss Teen USA 2008 Stevi Perry rode 100 or 20 miles, or joined Audi and Best Buddies at the High Gear tailgating gala on May 29th in Boston kicking off the weekend's celebrations.

Actor and comedian David Spade arrived with a special gift to the start line of the 100-mile-ride at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston on Saturday morning presenting a cheque of US $50,000 to Best Buddies founder and chairman Anthony Kennedy Shriver in support of the charity. Riders were then led by an Audi R8 and TT Roadster to their route from Boston to the Cape. Once again, a 'Team Audi' composed of employees and dealers raised additional funds to the corporate contributions and joined the rides. In an effort to reduce the event's carbon footprint, Audi provided a fleet of Q7 TDI clean diesel cars to shuttle celebrities and VIP guests. In addition to the picturesque bicycle tour from the John F. Kennedy Library to the Kennedy Compound at Craigville Beach and the pre-ride celebration the night before, the two-day event concluded with a star-studded New England clambake and a private concert performed by the legendary Bangles. Anthony Kennedy Shriver and Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen toasted riders and participants for their hard work while Tom Brady was auctioning off signed footballs to the audience in support of the Best Buddies Leadership conference.