Auto Club Automotive Fair Features Something for Most Drivers -- Teen Driver Safety, Used Car Sale, Travel Show and Show Your Card & Save(R) Vendors

COSTA MESA, CA--(Marketwire - April 18, 2009) - The Automobile Club of Southern California will host an Automotive Fair next month that will feature something for every motorist, especially during a tough economy: a teen driver safety fair, an Enterprise used car sale, new and antique vehicles displays, Show Your Card & Save® vendors, a mini-travel show and a special appearance by top NHRA Funny Car drivers from the John Force Racing Team.

The free fair is designed to help Auto Club members drive safely, save money and help them care for their vehicles. Guests can also try a racing simulator, have their vehicle's speedometer tested, visit a mini-travel show featuring economical drive vacations, and learn from under-the-hood maintenance demonstrations. The AAA Battery Service van and an Auto Club Automotive Research Center-Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) display with fuel economy and carbon footprint information also will be at the event.

The fair will be held at the Auto Club Administrative Offices, 3333 Fairview Road, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 9. Parking is also free.

The teen driver safety "fair within a fair" is focused on helping families learn about community organizations that provide information for young drivers and parents. The teen driver fair also will feature "custom car fits" with Auto Club Driving School instructors showing teens and parents safety-belt, foot pedals, mirrors and seat-height adjustments to ensure young drivers achieve a good safety fit before they drive. Most teens practice in the family vehicle and will need to make these adjustments each time they get behind the wheel, said Manager of the Auto Club's Driving School Kathy Downing.

Teens who visit the fair should wear closed-toe shoes so they can scale a rock-climbing wall that demonstrates a drop similar to a 20 mph car crash. A teen driver crashed vehicle donated by a Southern California family also will be displayed.

"Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of deaths for teens," said the Auto Club's Community Programs and Traffic Safety Team Lead Anita Lorz. "To help reduce these tragedies, the Auto Club is hosting this regional traffic safety fairs to share the most up-to-date information with families to prepare their teen driver for the road."

The Auto Club Driving School and 11 community groups will offer teen-driver topics, including California's Graduated Driver Licensing law, which the Auto Club sponsored.

The parking lot also will gleam with more than 100 Enterprise late-model pre-owned cars and trucks selling at discounted prices. High quality economy, luxury and popular sedans will be sold at pre-arranged, haggle-free competitive prices. Rental car companies like Enterprise have a reliable stock of pre-owned cars since vehicles are driven 1-2 years before offered for sale. Financing and auto insurance will be available during the sale.

"New car prices, now averaging more than $28,000, are making well-running pre-owned cars an attractive option for consumers," said the Auto Club's Car Buying Service Manager David Cavano. "Buyers can test drive a wide variety of vehicles to help them choose the best vehicle for their needs. Vehicles with readily available safety equipment recommended for teen-drivers also are expected to be at the Enterprise car sale."

Top NHRA Funny Car racers John Force, Ashley Force Hood, and Robert Hight will sign autographs for fans from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. near the racing simulator and Show Your Card & Save® vendors.

Show Your Card & Save participating vendors provide AAA members with discounts on products and services. Appearing at the fair include All Star Glass, California Ravelco - Anti-Theft Device, Discount Tire Centers, Dunn-Edwards Paints, EagleRider, GIANT RV, LA SpeedZone, Napa Auto Parts, SeaWorld San Diego and Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A.(SM)

GIANT RV will display two recreational vehicles: a 2009 Fourwinds 31ft Class C and a 2009 Fleetwood Terra LX 34NLX2 Bunkhouse Class A. Each sleeps eight. El Monte RV will have a rental displayed and EagleRider will show pre-owned and rental motorcycles.

At the mini-travel show, vendors Best Western Hotels, El Monte RV, Grand Canyon Railroad and Lake Powell Resorts will be promoting drive vacations to Las Vegas, Lake Powell, the Grand Canyon and throughout the western United States. Pleasant Holidays will be promoting Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean with special rates and exclusive AAA Member Benefits. AAA Travel agents will be on hand to help interested visitors book vacations.

The first 500 pre-registered members with an RSVP who attend the May 9 event can receive a free gift of an Auto Club duffle bag. To pre-register and RSVP, members can call 1-866-579-3395, or by visiting an Auto Club district office and asking to RSVP. The special gift is limited to one member per Auto Club household.

The AAA Approved Auto Repair Program master-certified automotive technicians will conduct 38-pt. under-the-hood vehicle maintenance demonstrations for fairgoers. Technicians will demonstrate function and condition of lights, fluids, belts, hoses and tires every 30 minutes.

"Well-running cars save on repairs, gas and vehicle emissions," according to Dave Skaien, one of the Auto Club's AAA Approved Auto Repair managers. "Information where members can take their vehicles to AAA Approved Repair facilities for care will be distributed at the fair."

For more information about the Auto Club Automotive Fair, please call 1-866-579-3395 or log on to www.AAA.com/auto.

Contact Information: Contact: Elaine Beno Jeffrey Spring 714-885-2333