B.R.A.K.E.S. To Support National Teen Driver Safety Week

Organization Offers Promotions for B.R.A.K.E.S. Teen Pro-Active Driving School

LINCOLNTON, N.C. (Sept. 30, 2008) – B.R.A.K.E.S., the charity organization founded by NHRA drag racer Doug Herbert to encourage safe driving, is supporting National Teen Driver Safety Week by offering special promotions for its upcoming B.R.A.K.E.S. Teen Pro-Active Driving School.

National Teen Driver Safety Week, held October 19-25, was established by Congress in 2007 to focus attention on the number of teen car crashes that occur each year in the United States.  In honor of this nationally-recognized week, the B.R.A.K.E.S. foundation announces that it is lowering the cost of its Teen Pro-Active Driving School.

“The fact that Congress addressed this problem last year by taking action and creating a National Teen Driver Safety Week says a lot about the awareness being brought to unsafe driving,” said Doug Herbert, whose two young sons died in a car accident in January 2008.  “More and more teens each year are involved in accidents on our roads.  People are taking notice and want to do something about it.  If we all work together it is a problem that we can change.”

The organization is also offering a ‘Refer a Friend’ promotion for the Nov. 8 sessions, which will be held from 8:00am to noon and from noon to 4:00pm at the zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C.  Registered participants who refer a friend to sign-up for a Nov. 8 session will be rewarded with a $15 gift certificate to Autobell Car Wash.

The BRAKES Teen Pro-Active Driving School is designed to promote safe driving by teaching teenagers how to control a car and prevent an accident when they find themselves involved in a dangerous situation.  Each session includes a scholastic, classroom instruction portion and a hands-on, driving portion that includes three driving courses: a wet skid pad, a distraction course, and a brake and turn course.

“Hands-on experience is always the best experience,” said Rep. Karen Ray of Mooresville, who attended the first BRAKES Teen Pro-Active Driving School, held in early October.  “Child safety on the highways is something we can all get behind.  Nothing is better than hands-on and that’s what this program is all about.”

The school, conducted by the Mario Andretti and Jeff Gordon Racing Schools, will be taken nationwide in 2009.  Teenagers must be between the ages of 15 and 19, and have a learner’s permit or driver’s license to participate.  The cost for each teen is $99.  A parent/guardian must attend with the teen but has a choice whether they participate in the driving courses.  The cost for a parent/guardian to participate has been lowered to only $49.

To register for the B.R.A.K.E.S. Teen Pro-Active Driving School or obtain further information, please contact Heather Lutz with the Mario Andretti and Jeff Gordon Racing School at or by phone at (704) 886-2400.  Anyone interested in participating can also register online at www.putonthebrakes.com.  Only 50 spots are available for each session.

About B.R.A.K.E.S.

B.R.A.K.E.S., which stands for Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe, is a non-profit organization founded by NHRA Top Fuel drag racer Doug Herbert in memory of his two sons who were killed in a car accident.  By training and educating teenage drivers and their parents, the foundation aims to promote safe driving in an attempt to prevent injuries and save lives.  For more information, visit www.putonthebrakes.com.

About Driving 101

Driving 101 is the parent company of Jeff Gordon Racing School and Mario Andretti Racing School.  Jeff Gordon Racing School offers several different ride and drive packages and features real NASCAR race cars.  Mario Andretti Racing School is the ‘World’s Fastest Driving Experience’ and utilizes full-size, Indy-style race cars.  The schools operate at more than 20 race tracks across the United States and offer a vast array of corporate outings and motorsports themed events.  For more information call 877-RACE-LAP (877-722-3527) or visit AndrettiGordon.com