Mopar is going the extra mile in its commitment to promoting teen safety behind the wheel, with a helping hand from America's mainstream performance brand. "Mopar Road Ready Powered by Dodge" will feature a slate of seven events scheduled for late 2015 and early 2016, each dedicated to training and educating teenage drivers.
The program is an extension of the "Mopar Road Ready" program, introduced earlier this year, which helped teach more than 700 teens and parents about the importance of being safe on the road during stops inCalifornia, Florida and Michigan.
"We are pleased to receive additional support from our sister brand Dodge in fueling our mission to teach teens the importance of safe driving," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO — Mopar Brand Service, Parts and Customer Care, FCA. "Thanks to sponsorship from the FCA Foundation and the Dodge brand, 'Mopar Road Ready Powered by Dodge' will help educate and equip hundreds of additional teens with the defensive driving skills they need."
"The Dodge brand wants all drivers to experience that visceral feeling that makes them fall in love with driving, and that includes making sure they feel comfortable in all driving situations," said Tim Kuniskis, President and Chief Executive Officer – Dodge Brand and SRT Brand, FCA – North America. "The 'Mopar Road Ready Powered by Dodge' program gives new teen drivers seven additional opportunities to learn skills and gain valuable experience behind the wheel."
The "Mopar Road Ready Powered by Dodge" program has confirmed two event stops thus far, at Mopar Headquarters in Center Line, Michigan (September 12–13), and Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado (October 24–25). The Center Line location was the site of a sold-out "Mopar Road Ready" stop (and 200-plus waiting list) earlier this year, while Bandimere Speedway is home to Mopar's headline event, the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals drag race, taking place near Denver.
Additional event dates and locations will be released in the near future.
"Mopar Road Ready Powered by Dodge" is sponsored by the FCA Foundation, in collaboration with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Motorsports Museum and B.R.A.K.E.S (Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe), two nationally recognized non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations that share similar missions of promoting the importance of safe and responsible driving.
The advanced driving program, designed to teach safe and defensive driving techniques, is available to teens between the ages of 15-19 with a learner's or driver's license and at least 30 hours of driving experience. Participants will benefit from a proven curriculum and skilled high-caliber instructors provided by the B.R.A.K.E.S. organization. It incorporates both classroom education and hands-on training with a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio, allowing for quality time with each teen.
Each teen's participation in the training program will include a companion experience for a parent or adult guardian who also will actively take part. "Mopar Road Ready Powered by Dodge" sessions will provide a brief classroom review of core driving topics, including proper seat positioning, hand positioning and basic vehicle dynamics. Advanced behind-the-wheel training will then be provided to teens, with on-track course sessions including accident avoidance (slalom), distraction, panic stop, wheel drop and wet skid pad.
"Mopar Road Ready Powered by Dodge" classes are free of charge to registered teens and their parents or guardians. A $99 refundable registration deposit (plus processing fees) is required to secure a spot and is returned after the session. Parents can register their teens at Mopar.com/Road-Ready/Detroit orMopar.com/Road-Ready/Denver.
