Wichita, KS - October 5, 2004 - Robby Gordon of NASCAR and off-road racing fame is helping Cessna Aircraft Company raise money for the Kansas Food Bank Warehouse. On October 6, 2004, Robby Gordon and his racecars will visit Cessna's Pawnee and Mid-Continent facilities in Wichita, Kansas.
Cessna team members at both facilities will have photograph and autograph opportunities with the legendary NASCAR driver. Prior to Gordon's visit, Cessna team members have been donating money to benefit the Kansas Food Bank Warehouse towards a drawing that makes them eligible to receive authentic Robby Gordon autographed merchandise. Plus, one Cessnan will receive an autographed Citation X desk model, which is the same aircraft that made it possible for Robby Gordon to "do the double" in 2004.
Robby Gordon is very familiar with Cessna and its product line, especially the Citation X. The Citation X has made it possible for Gordon to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. These races are 500 miles apart and are located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Concord, North Carolina, respectively. The Citation X's flight time between the two destinations takes approximately 55 minutes.
Cessna's Food Drive is from October 25-29, 2004. This year, Cessna anticipates it will reach the unbelievable achievement of donating five million pounds of food to the Kansas Food Bank. This goal has been achieved over 14 years. Each year Cessna team members regularly donate approximately 44 pounds of food per employee.
The Wichita-based Kansas Food Bank has been helping the local community for over 20 years. The Food Bank currently feeds more than 32,000 people a week. In 2003, it distributed more than 4.5 million pounds of food to charitable pantries and agencies in 86 counties in central and southern Kansas.
The media is invited to attend Robby Gordon's visit to the Mid-Continent facility from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., October 6, 2004. Because Robby Gordon and his racecars will be located inside Cessna's gated facility, the media must contact Jessica Myers, 316-517-6488, to RSVP for the event. All media will be escorted onto the property.
Cessna Aircraft Company is a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT). Textron is a $10 billion multi-industry company with more than 43,000 employees in 40 countries. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at www.cessna.com.
For additional information or questions about the general aviation industry, contact the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) at 202-393-1500 or www.GAMA.aero.