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AKA Rally To Bring 200 Car Enthusiasts On Cross-country Charity Car Rally From June 27 - July 3

Vegas to Washington D.C., with stops in Albuquerque, Denver, St. Louis and Indianapolis: To benefit Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

With two previous cross-country rallies successfully completed, the AKA Rally continues to gain attention across America with the announcement of its 2006 event. Started in 2004 to organize a gathering of friends from across the nation, the AKA Rally has since been featured in MTV's True Life series, touched both coasts and covered countless miles in between. This year's route takes 100 cars from Las Vegas to Washington D.C., ending in time to celebrate the Fourth of July in the nation's capital. Since taking its roots from the quintessential American road trip, a veritable right of passage for young adults, the AKA Rally has evolved into an all-inclusive vacation for car enthusiasts.

Putting a new twist on the classic walkathon fund-raiser, pledges will be accepted for individual cars that are participating in the AKA Rally. Sponsors will pledge a per-mile or fixed amount, with 100 percent of all proceeds going directly to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, one of the world's premier cancer centers. "Everyone involved is excited and hopeful to see how many donations the event can bring in this year," said Chris Conner, event organizer. "An unofficial competition has broken out between participants to see who can raise the most money, and we are thrilled to be benefiting such a worthwhile cause."

It's not all work as participants make their way across the United States Throughout the week, they take part in various competitive, sanctioned, off-road driving events, including drag and road races. The signature event of the 2006 AKA Rally will be VIP admission to the U.S. F1 Grand Prix race in Indianapolis, where participant cars will be featured. "The United States Grand Prix is more than a Formula One race," said Ron Green, director of public relations for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "It is a celebration of speed, color and cars. A popular attraction for fans is the car club corral, and we're excited that the members of the AKA Rally will be showing off their cars to the Formula One fans." Participants will also be treated to AKA Rally themed parties in each city, including a pre-launch party in Las Vegas, hosted at upscale club O-PM, located on the Las Vegas Strip.

The final night will feature an awards banquet catered by Vitamin Water, recognizing participants for accomplishments in over a dozen categories. Prizes have been provided by event sponsors. Additionally, goodie bags are included for each participant, containing an event handbook, personalized AKA Rally ID card and various supplies to help as participants finish each stage.

The AKA Rally's participants come from very diverse backgrounds, representing everything from students to small business owners. Equally as diverse are the cars represented. Previous events have included BMWs, Audis, Hondas, Porsches and Subarus. "Everyone is welcome," said Conner, "and we love to see unique, head-turning vehicles attend."

The 2006 AKA Rally entry fee of $3,000 includes shared hotel accommodations for two people, VIP entry into each AKA Rally hosted party, exclusive access to events, all breakfasts and dinners, and select lunches. The registration deadline for this year's event is April 20.

The entire event will be covered from multiple angles, culminating in an AKA Rally DVD, to be released in the fourth quarter of 2006. Also covering the event are Tampa-based Makes & Models magazine and Toronto-based Performance Auto & Sound Magazine. Online video coverage will be handled by RacingFlix.Com.

For interviews with event organizer Chris Conner, email chris@akarally.com or call 215.820.1323. Additional information, photos and video are available at www.akarally.com.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center contact:

Carl Leino
http://www.mskcc.org
leinoc@mskcc.org
646.227.2273

    
   AKA Rally
   Annapolis,    MD,    21401
   USA
   215.820.1323 (phone)
   chris@akarally.com
   www.akarally.com