SOUTHERN DRIVE TOWARD A CURE CHARITY RALLY SEPT. 27-30

Nearly 50 Participants Support Parkinson’s by Showing Driving Has Never Meant More!!

LOS ANGELES, September 5, 2017 –  Sporty vehicles ranging from Porsches and Ferraris to Corvettes and Nissan GTRs, as well as an award-winning 1969 Iso Grifo, will be joining a full fleet of entrants and feeling the effects of true southern hospitality, when Drive Toward a Cure takes off from the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC on its ‘Great Southern Adventure’.  The event welcomes approximately 50 drivers and navigators from as far west as Washington State, north as Canada, and South as Miami.  All will be driving more than 600 miles to support Parkinson’s Disease research and patient care.

The 3-day rally, September 27-30th is the second event for the non-profit organization, which plans to reach Atlanta in time for the Atlanta Concours weekend festivities at Chateau Elan.  Drive Toward a Cure is a non-profit that creates rally driving programs throughout the nation to benefit Parkinson’s Disease research and patient care. (www.drivetowardacure.org)

According to Deb Pollack, founder of Drive Toward a Cure, blending cars and camaraderie is nothing new — we turn car aficionados’ enthusiasm for spirited driving into support for a meaningful cause such as Parkinson’s.

“My personal vision was to create a groundswell within the automotive community that would heighten awareness to Parkinson’s by engaging in programs that car enthusiasts would be excited by – doing what car lovers enjoy the most and raising funds at the same time.” Earlier this year, Drive Toward a Cure’s first luxury event included two simultaneous drives in California, meeting in the Central Coast and raising more than $26,000, with 36 entrant vehicles, ranging from vintage to luxury to exotic and a host of ‘daily drivers’ in between.

The ‘Great Southern Adventure’ will be taking on exceptional and picturesque driving roads such as the Blue Ridge Parkway and the ‘Tail of the Dragon,’ an 11-mile stretch that is highlighted by more than 300 curves, straddling the North Carolina-Tennessee borders.  Scenic highlights will also include the beautiful Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, as well as driving and navigational challenges through the organization’s well-received ‘special stages’ that incorporate a fun competitive flair.

A selection of modern day Nissan, Porsche, Ferrari, Acura and Corvette sports cars, along with an award-winning 1969 Iso Grifo, have already signed on to enjoy the 3-day jaunt.  For a better understanding, please visit https://lnkd.in/eyWaU6J .

Luxury accommodations will be provided for the full 3 days, including stays at Asheville’s historic Omni Grove Park Inn and Atlanta’s Chateau Elan winery and resort. Drive Toward a Cure has also opened the opportunity to enjoy ‘Asheville for the Day,’ allowing local participants and those with more limited time schedules to partake in some of the most interactive events of the program – for details, view: http://www.drivetowardacure.org/asheville-for-the-day-2017/ .  In addition, one can further support Parkinson’s through the program on an even more limited basis by attending receptions and dinners in both Asheville and/or Atlanta.  To purchase tickets and/or make a contribution:  http://www.drivetowardacure.org/great-southern-adventure-2017-events/ .

Key sponsors for the Southeast journey include: Nissan North America, Hagerty Insurance, Intelliga Communications, Panoz, Green4U, and returning manufacturer entrants such as Maserati North America and Acura.

The upcoming ‘Great Southern Adventure’ rally concludes at the Atlanta Concours, (www.atlantaconcours.org) providing participants with yet another reason to join the adventure, as well as opportunities to partake in an entire weekend full of Concours activities, including the chance to show their own cars on the lawn during Saturday’s ‘Driver’s at the Chateau’event. VIP weekend packages are available, along with limited event registration remaining for the   3-day program at http://www.drivetowardacure.org/great-southern-adventure-atlanta-concours-vip-package/ .

“Having been in the car industry for several decades, I’ve had the chance to experience the joy of relationships built from memories on the road,” said Pollack. “But when I lost my Mom to Parkinson’s in 2006, I realized there were also meaningful ways to share those friendships and the emotional bonds and gratification that driving can bring, to support the challenges others may face.”

As the Drive Toward a Cure program grows within the automotive community, all levels of car enthusiasts are encouraged to join through participation and/or donation. Those seeking more information can visit www.drivetowardacure.org .

In addition to Nissan, current supporters of Drive Toward a Cure include Hagerty, Intelliga Communications, Sports Car Market Magazine, Piloti, Putnam Leasing, Michelin, Pennzoil, Singer Vehicle Design, Maserati, BRM Chronographs, Automobile Magazine, Alliant Insurance, DriveShop, Garage Style Magazine, and The Event Designs Company, to name a few.  For a full list of supporters, visit www.drivetowardacure.org/sponsors.  For future sponsorship opportunities, please see www.drivetowardacure.org/sponsorship-opportunities .

 

About Drive Toward a Cure:

The Drive Toward a Cure program pursues an alternative to the numerous ‘for profit’ rally driving programs through the creation of events that team cars and camaraderie to raise funds in support of the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease, benefiting research and patient care.  Drive Toward a Cure events are carefully designed to provide a premium experience while raising much-needed funds to continue the search for a cure, through beneficiaries The Michael J. Fox Foundation and The Parkinson’s Institute and Clinical Center.  For donations, sponsorship and event registration, please visit www.drivetowardacure.org

About Parkinson’s Disease:

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive movement disorder, meaning that physical symptoms continue and worsen over time. Nearly one million people in the US are living with Parkinson’s disease. The cause is unknown, and although there is presently no cure, there are treatment options such as medication and surgery to manage its symptoms.

 

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