The Drive Vegas Interview : Christie Conti
Monday, April 10, 2006

“This has not been done before. This is the first time anyone in the United States has developed a project like this.”

Christie Conti, Regional Public Relations Supervisor for GM R*Works, in front of a HUMMER in the showroom, gives a brief but comprehensive overview of the distinguishing characteristics, features, advantages, and benefits, of GM’s new ‘autotainment’ attraction, “The Drive Vegas.” (TheDriveVegas.com).

The Drive is designed to enable auto enthusiasts to become intimately familiar with GM vehicles in a pressure-free performance environment.

With the addition of General Motors, the monorail expands its high-profile advertiser portfolio to six along with Sprint/Nextel, Hansen’s Beverage Company, Paramount Parks, BankWest of Nevada, and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

The Drive, encompassing 11 acres at the corner of Sahara Avenue and Paradise Road, will be open for a minimum six-month period.

“We’ll be here initially for six months, hopefully beyond,” says Conti.

The Drive hours of operation (once open) are preliminarily set to be 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week, including holidays. The Drive is accessible from the GM Monorail station at the Sahara Hotel & Casino, and parking is available at the hotel’s self parking structure or valet.

Drivers must be age 18 or over, and present a valid driver’s license. Professional drivers (as passengers) will accompany each driver to help them get the most out of their driving experience. For the safety of all guests, on-site breathalyzer tests will be part of the mandatory registration process before guests can enjoy The Drive experience.

The Drive will be FREE to locals until the end of April. Regular cost for admission to the attraction is $10 per driver.

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© 2006 Vegas Buzz News Network

http://vegasnews.squarespace.com 4/10/06
On The Drive Vegas : Hummer Adventure

Only a few steps from the Las Vegas Monorail Sahara Station, and only a short walk from the las Vegas Strip, one can experience a truly unforgettable off-road adventure in a Hummer. Peter Schiappa and Jim Wilson report on GM’S new ‘autotainment’ attraction, The Drive, Vegas (www.TheDriveVegas.com)

The Drive … 4–10–06

by Peter Schiappa (a.k.a. “Peter Piper”)

Not my usual electronic ignition, Tiptronic transmission, blower-backed, lightning-in-a-box, citation-sucking Mercedes-Benz SLK. No way. But, this was one of those unsought, unexpected, “nuthin’ gonna happin” days that I’m never gonna forget.

Jim called me. (That’s Jim Wilson, executive producer and editor of Vegas Buzz Radio.) “Let’s check out ‘The Drive,’ the GM sponsored driving experience at the Sahara Monorail Station.” ”Why not?” I say, “ Let’s go.”

Within the hour we were parked in the Sahara Hotel garage and entering the eleven-acre General Motors display. Red and black outfitted young hosts and hostesses invited us to view the newest GM products and to sign up for FREE test drives around several specially constructed tracks. What fun! We took plenty of pix until we were granted a ride in our especially selected Yellow Hummer H2.

We chose the ‘difficult terrain’ loop to see first hand what this crate could do. Well, after shifting into low-low and 4-wheel-drive at the touch of a button, our driver Roderick, traversed a narrow canyon by keeping all 4 wheels on the 60 degree inclined surfaces of the lateral walls. I had my window open and for sure, if I wasn’t tied in, I would have fallen out that window. He negotiated the opposite banked wall and I had to hold on to the safety grip with both hands to keep from falling into his lap.

Rod bore into s-curves with the rear wheels spinning out, then slowed quickly as we approached an irregular surface of railroad ties. Soon enough, the trail became a nearly vertical wall. He gunned the engine and we were instantly racing up a 60 degree incline. The road ahead disappeared almost as soon as it had appeared. Braking quickly, we teetered at the top.

It seemed like I was in a swinging cart on a Ferris Wheel anticipating the plunge down to terra-firma and the waiting crowd below. Then back into low-low for a 60 degree descent in full control, with no slipping or sliding.

Several NASCAR s-curves later, we left the track and sedately parked amongst the other vehicles just like any other family sedan. I stepped out onto the pavement as if I had just awakened from a dream.

This Ho-Hum day turned out to be a real HUMMER. – PeterPiper

Editor’s Note: Peter Piper, a.k.a, Peter Schiappa, is the zany host of the popular Peter Piper’s Podcast, and special feature photojournalist for Vegas Buzz. Miami-based National Radio Features ProducerJay Michaels also reports in the intro to the podcast

©2006 Vegas Buzz News Network

Demo segment.

For complete coverage of The Drive press conference and opening events on CD, including interviews, photos and news articles, call 702.515.0810 or email jwilson@vegasbuzzradio.com

Vegas Buzz Radio Feature Coverage of Press Event:
GM’s The Drive, April 5, 2006

Summary:

[VEGAS BUZZ – LAS VEGAS, April 6, 2006] – With tons of dirt and a dose of speed,
the corner of Paradise Road and Sahara Avenue morphs into an ‘autotainment
extravaganza when General Motors opens the doors of “The Drive,” a unique hands-on
driving experience that will be the first of its kind within the United
States. The Drive officially opens to the public on April 10, 2006.

Featuring two professionally-designed driving courses—including a high
performance loop and an off-road adventure over a dirt terrain—The Drive
will provide a unique “autotainment” experience adjacent to the Las Vegas
Strip. The land to be utilized for the facility will be leased by General
Motors from the Sahara Hotel & Casino. For the duration of the project, GM
will also be a marketing and advertising partner of the Las Vegas Monorail
Company including having the only brand presence at the monorail station at
the Sahara Hotel & Casino—currently the most northern point of the Las
Vegas Monorail system.

“The Drive provides a unique platform for General Motors to showcase its
vehicles in an unprecedented way,” said Steve Tihanyi, general director,
marketing and entertainment alliances for General Motors. “With two fun-
filled courses, consumers will be able to enjoy one-of-a-kind driving
experiences in a variety of our products without any pressure to buy.”

The performance course will feature a half-mile paved route with jogs and
turns complete with chicanes to enjoy both the speed and handling control of
pure sports car driving thrills. Vehicle choices to be unleashed on the
Performance course will include: the legendary Chevy Corvette; the Pontiac
GTO; the 400-horsepower Cadillac CTS-V; the Pontiac Solstice, a roadster
exhibiting thrilling Pontiac performance; the luxurious and powerful Cadillac
STS-V; and the impressive Saab 9–3 convertible.

Keys to the rugged yet refined HUMMER H2 and mid-size HUMMER H3 will be
available to consumers looking to navigate the adventurous off-road course
encompassing a tunnel, hill climb, v-ditch and sloped banks, moguls and
obstacles. The off-road trail is available to test out the Chevy Silverado
Diesel, and once available, the redesigned 2007 models of the Chevy Tahoe, GMC
Yukon Denali, Cadillac Escalade and Chevy Suburban. Select large SUVs will be
E85 fuel compatible as well.

(C) 2006 Vegas Buzz Radio Network