Mid-America Ford Performance and Shelby Meet to Become Official Team Shelby Event

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Mid-America Ford Performance and Shelby Meet to Become Official Team Shelby Event in 2008

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In another bold move to continue as America’s leading automotive performance icon, Carroll Shelby and Team Shelby have signed an agreement to make the Mid-America Ford Performance and Shelby Meet the Team Shelby Nationals, which will be held annually in Tulsa, Okla. The pre-eminent Ford and Shelby show for the past 33 years, it attracts 30,000 people annually. As the new Home of Team Shelby, Carroll plans to attend the Inaugural 2008 Team Shelby Nationals on June 12–15.

“We formed Team Shelby to give all Shelby enthusiasts more ways to enjoy a high octane lifestyle,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby Automobiles and the first member of Team Shelby. “I’ve admired the way that Jim Wicks, Randy Roberts and David Apgar and everyone at the Mid-America Ford Performance and Shelby Meet have grown their event following this same philosophy. So instead of creating a new event, we decided to partner with the best and create a national Team Shelby event that would show just how much we appreciate all Shelby, Ford and Mustang fans across the country.”

The longest-running, multi-faceted event of its kind, the Mid-America Ford Performance and Shelby Meet began as a picnic hosted by Jim Wicks and a group of diehard enthusiasts in 1974. Today, it has blossomed into a multi-day event with drag racing, road racing exhibitions, a trade show, a cruise night, car show and a banquet. The agreement with the event organizers was finalized earlier this month.

“When I started the Mid-America Meet 34 years ago, I knew it would be a continuing evolution,” said event founder and organizer Jim Wicks. “I’m excited to join with Team Shelby and be a part of taking the fun and excitement of this fast paced event into the future.”

The Mid-America Ford Performance and Shelby Meet have not only hosted some of the most famous names in racing, such as Cobra pilots Dick Smith, Lew Spencer and Don Roberts, chassis design engineer Robert Negstad, former SCCA B production national champion Walt Hane, noted automotive artist Bill Neale, author and racing driver Rick Titus, designer and Shelby American employee Pete Brock, SVT Manager John Coletti and the legend himself, Carroll Shelby.

The event recently has served as a hotbed of vehicle introductions including:

* First public raceway drive of the 2007 Shelby GT500
* Unveiling of the 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT Convertible
* First public appearance of the Shelby GT 500KR outside New York
* Launch of the Shelby Automobiles Shelby GT500 Super Snake post title package

Team Shelby is the only club officially recognized by the factory for all vehicles built by Shelby. The organization is directed by Robert Lane and Sharon Elliot. Members don’t need to own a Shelby to be a member, just share a “life needs more” attitude and celebrate all high performance Shelbys.

“The Team Shelby Nationals will continue the celebration of Mr. Shelby’s 85th birthday during 2008, which will begin at our annual Las Vegas event,” explained Ms. Elliott. “We’ll also have regional activities like track days and factory tours. Members can learn about these opportunities through our Web site where videos, forums, podcasts, exclusive news and briefings by key Shelby execs will be available only to them. Another huge benefit of membership will be access to our on-line Shelby registry; so owners won’t have to wait for print editions to be compiled.”

While plans are evolving based on this new relationship, the 2008 Nationals currently will feature:

* 3 days of open track action at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit
* 1 day of drag racing at Tulsa Raceway Park
* Parts swap meet and vendor area
* High Performance Shelby driving school
* Car Show at the Tulsa Southern Hills Marriott
* Autograph session with Carroll Shelby and special guests

About Team Shelby

Team Shelby is the only club officially recognized by the factory (www.shelbyautos.com) for all vehicles built by Shelby. The group offers a wide variety of activities, ranging from track days to factory tours. The enthusiast community features a cutting-edge Web site hosting videos, forums, podcasts, exclusive news and briefings; an on-line Shelby registry is also planned. Information is available at www.teamshelby.com and www.midamericafordmeet.com.

Contacts

TimePiece Public Relations
Aaron Cook, 214-520-3430
acook@timepiecepr.com

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