GCI Canada Helps Hot Wheels Stay Fearless At The 500 Event

June 8, 2011


Public relations agency GCI Canada recently pulled together a series of events for their client Mattel and their Hot Wheels product line in downtown Toronto. The purpose: The Fearless at the 500 viewing party was to watch Team Hot WheelsTM, a real-life crew of mystery stunt drivers, as they attempted the outrageous — a world record distance jump at the 100th running of the Indy 500®. A life-sized version of the iconic Hot Wheels® V-DropTM stunt was set up in the middle of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Tanner Foust raced down the 10-story high drop, as his car launched across the field. The stunt broke the current distance jump world record of 301 feet at 332ft.

GCI was able to secure a number of media outlets including:
Sing Tao, Ming Pao, Toronto Star/Autos.ca, Ajit, Media in Canada, Sweetspot.ca, CTV, RTI, Metro news, Inside Track, Solomag.com, Everythingmom.com, Wee Welcome, PAS/PRN, Snap, Today’s Parent, Bizbash, Can India

The event was part of “IZOD Presents Hot Wheels Fearless at the 500,” Team Hot Wheels Yellow Driver Tanner Foust successfully landed a ramp-to-ramp distance jump of 332 feet. Foust, a three-time X Games gold medalist and professional stunt driver soared an impressive 332 feet over the current world record at the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500.

“Fans witnessed not only a record-breaking jump today, but also an incredible childhood fantasy come to life which engaged multiple generations,” said Simon Waldron, Vice President of Marketing for Hot Wheels. “Hot Wheels has a deep and rich history in racing that spans over 40 years and there was no better global stage than the Indy 500 to create this once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Adults ans kids joined the GCI Canada and Hot Wheels team for this outdoor event as a masked mystery driver sped down a 90 ft. ramp, suspended on an enormous 10-story high door (100 feet tall) and flew across the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Moments after the jump occurred, Foust was revealed as the mystery Team Hot Wheels Yellow Driver. The “IZOD Presents Hot Wheels Fearless at the 500” jump brought to life the iconic Hot Wheels V-Drop®track set boys have played with on their bedroom doors for years. The stunt will be nationally televised today at 3:30 PM EST in a 30-minute ABC Special highlighting various Team Hot Wheels stunts, including the new world record distance jump. Additional behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Tanner Foust will be available on Facebook after the ABC Special.

“As a kid playing with Hot Wheels I could only dream of experiencing something as outrageous as a life-sized V-Drop track set, and today it became reality,” said Tanner Foust, Team Hot Wheels Yellow Driver. “There’s a lot that goes into being on Team Hot Wheels and the training and testing leading up to the jump gave me the confidence needed to push the mechanical and mental limits of the challenge and land the world-record title.”


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Dave Forde


Dave “The Connector” Forde has been involved in the marketing, public relations and technology industry across Canada for over 15 years in various sales and marketing roles, he launched The Connected One network of business sites which connects buyers to the right sellers. Profectio and PR In Canada covers news about the marketing and public relations industry each day helping professionals advance their career and businesses.
He also serves as an advisor to a number of businesses across the country. Find Dave on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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