Audi Signs On As Title Sponsor of Melges 24 U.S. Nationals

Organizers of the Audi 2007 Melges 24 U.S. National Championship have announced that Audi of America Inc. and the Detroit-Area Audi Metro Dealers have been named Title Sponsor of this prestigious event.

"We are extremely happy to have Audi on board for this regatta and pleased they recognize what we already know; that Melges 24 racing is the most exciting sailing going on in the United States today," said Paul Hulsey, event chairman. "We're looking forward to showing the folks at Audi that 50 plus Melges's roaring into the leeward mark is the maritime equivalent to dozens of race cars zooming around a track."

This National Championship marks Audi's first title sponsorship of any U.S. regatta. With AUDI AG recently announcing its sponsorship of the Breitling Medcup Transpac 52 circuit, and Audi of Australia's strong support of Hamilton Island Race Week and the Sydney Harbor Regatta, the automobile manufacturer is sending a clear message of their support to the yacht racing community.

Dave Suplee, Audi's general manager for the Midwest U.S., has big expectations for the event: "Our company's heritage is all about racing and competition, and our best innovations have come from racing," Suplee said. "High performance, clean technologies and pushing the envelope are core values for Audi, which is why we see this National Championship as such a good match for us."

Audi will display a full line up of their high-performance cars on the grounds of Detroit's Bayview Yacht Club, including the TT roadster and 354 horsepower S5 Sports Coupe. The powerful and stylish Q7, easily able to easily tow a Melges 24 and carry the entire crew, will also be on display throughout the event.

ENTRY LIST SWELLS AS EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE APPROACHES Forty-two teams have already registered from as far away as England and California, with at least 15 more boats expected to register over the coming weeks. Only two weeks remain until the September 10 early registration deadline. Online registration, press registration, entry list and the Notice of Race are available through the official Audi 2007 Melges 24 U.S. National Championship website at www.melges24racing.com/nationals .

ROCK CITY MARINE OFFERS GPS PRIZES FOR TOP BOATS Detroit-based marine electronics manufacturer Rock City Marine (www.rockcitymarine.com ) will be awarding two RockBox self-contained GPS racing instruments to competitors at the event. The top Corinthian competitor will win a RockBox portable racing instrument, as will the Most Improved Crew as judged by an independent panel. Each RockBox has a retail value of $499.

WILKES NAMED OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER
Capturing shots of these high-performance boats is a rare skill, and few can match Tim Wilkes' ability to get in the thick of the action during a crowded mark-rounding. Some of the best known yacht racing photos of the decade are attributable to Wilkes and his cameras - and, as a competitive racer, he knows the shots that racers and spectators want to see. Photos of the day's competition will be available for viewing and ordering immediately after each race. More information about Tim Wilkes Photography is available at www.timwilkes.com.

ABOUT AUDI OF AMERICA, INC.
Audi offers a line of premium vehicles through a network of 270 dealers including the Audi A3 compact; the sporty A4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models; the high performance S4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models; the high-revving RS 4 sports sedan and Cabriolet (November 2007 launch); the all-new S5 coupe (November 2007 launch) with 354 hp; the design-leading A6 sedan and Avant; the V10-powered high performance S6 sedan; the Audi Q7 performance SUV; the new all-aluminum Audi A8; the S8 with V10 power; the all-new 2008 TT Coupe and Roadster models; and the all-new all-aluminum R8, one of the most exclusive sports cars in the world.

ABOUT THE AUDI 2007 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP The Audi 2007 Melges 24 U.S. National Championship is hosted by Bayview Yacht Club, with the support of Sponsor/Partners Audi of America, Inc., the Detroit-Area Audi Metro Dealers, Barefoot Wines, Yachtscoring.com, Latis Yachting Solutions, the Detroit Medical Center's Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, and Rock City Marine.

The Melges 24 is the most unique one-design sportboat in the world, and the class continues to enjoy strong growth. More information on the U.S. Melges 24 Class is available at www.usmelges24.com. The Midwest Region's home page is www.melges24racing.com.

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EVENT PRESS OFFICER
Alan Block
(248) 563-0657 - mobile
(248) 808-4086 - office
E-mail alan@blocksail.com

USMCA PRESS OFFICER
Joy Dunigan
(912) 398-5776 - mobile
E-mail joy.dunigan@melges24.com