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here. Jeff Bachmann Sara Miller ------------------------------------ Newly patented, customizable “model” cars offer hands-on, interactive bonding experience for dads and kids ages 6 to 106, providing a fun and unique ST. LOUIS (May 22, 2008) — Want dad to smile and feel like a kid again, while at the same time building even stronger ties to his children? Then, this Father’s Day, treat him and the kids to the hot new experience of building and customizing RIDEMAKERZ® RIDEZ, the modern day version of old model cars: no glue, fully-customizable and radio remote-controlled. RIDEZ can even be built virtually, for free, online before ordering them to build at home or at a RIDEMAKERZ Shop. And because the RIDEZ are fast and fun to build, there will still be time and energy to barbeque. RIDEZ include such popular muscle cars as the classic Ford Mustang GT and new 2008 Dodge Challenger, the exotic 2008 Dodge Viper, tuner cars such as Toyota’s 2008 Scion xB and the RZ Wedge, BMW’s MINI-Cooper S, and everything in between, including retro hot rods, stock race cars, pick-up trucks, and cab-over fire engines, dump trucks and tow trucks. The RIDEZ include patented and automatically activated lights and sounds, patented snap-on tires and wheels, and patented snap-on accessories such as side pipes, spoilers, hood scoops and more. And every RIDE can be made free-wheel or radio-control, with complete assembly in less than ten minutes. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Father’s Day than doing something hands-on together,” said Chip Foose, legendary car customizer and host of The Learning Channel’s (TLC) hit show Overhaulin’. “Building custom RIDEZ is an interactive challenge to everyone’s imagination and the end result is a one-of-a-kind, personal expression. RIDEMAKERZ has captured the authenticity necessary for the true adult collector and combined it with the simplicity necessary for kids as young as six years old. There’s never been anything like it.” Foose is using RIDEMAKERZ to teach the joys of car building and customizing to his own son, Brock, age eight. His wife, Lynn, sometimes wonders who gets the biggest kick out of the RIDEMAKERZ experience – her son or her husband. “It really brings out the kid in dads,” she said. “And it’s great to see Chip and Brock having so much fun together.” Research shows the importance of fathers being active in their children’s lives, and a recent list of Top 10 recommendations for father-son activities on the popular website AskMen.com cites two suggestions that deal with men’s fascination with cars: the No. 2 recommendation calls for fathers and sons to play together with radio-controlled cars, and No. 4 suggests that fathers teach automobile maintenance to their sons. Father-child relationships, among other things, influence a child’s emotional and social development, and customizing and playing with radio-controlled RIDEZ offers a fun interactive way to further these important relationships, especially with sons. The RIDEMAKERZ Revolution The RIDEMAKERZ experience starts in the ultimate car customizing garage, either online (at RIDEMAKERZ.com) or at a Shop, where “Customizers” CHOOZE, SONICIZE, MOTORIZE, MOBILIZE, CUSTOMIZE, PERSONALIZE and CRUIZE™ one-of-a-kind RIDEZ. After RIDEZ are priced from $12 to $29, depending on body and paint scheme selected. Radio remote-control can be added for an additional $25, and custom accessories range in price from $2.50 for grille guards, spoilers and hood scoops to $15 for a deluxe “Muscle Kit.” RIDEZ measure 10 to 12 inches long, about the size of a shoebox, and range from approximately 1:14th to 1:20th scale. RIDEZ customized and purchased online are shipped with a special RIDEMAKERZ tool, so Customizers can have the “Do-It-Yourself-Together” experience of building them at home (within minutes). Online, Customizers can trick out virtual RIDEZ for free and e-mail them to friends, learn about car history and alternative fuels in the RIDERZ ED section, join the RIDEMILEZ CLUB to be among the first to receive RIDEMAKERZ information and special offers, and watch videos featuring, among others, Chip Foose. The website will soon add online games and community elements. Gift Cardz also are available online and make great Father’s Day gifts, so dad can choose and design his own RIDE. Now in its second year, RIDEMAKERZ will have 12 Shops open across the country by the end of June. RIDEMAKERZ Shops can be found at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, SC, Mall of America in Bloomington, MN, Spotsylvania Towne Center in Fredericksburg, VA, Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis, IN, The Avenue at White Marsh in Baltimore, MD, The Shoppes at Hagerstown, in Hagerstown MD, Woodfield Mall in Schaumberg, IL, Twelve Oaks Mall, in Novi, MI and Great Lakes Crossing, in Auburn Hills, MI. RIDEMAKERZ will open May 31st at Branson Landing in Branson, MO, June 14th at Fox River Mall in Appleton, WI, and June 28th at Baybrook Mall in Friendswood, TX. Each RIDEMAKERZ Shop that is open will host a special Father and Son RIDE Show the weekend after Father’s Day. About RIDEMAKERZ
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