OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - CARSTAR is looking for cars to help the company set the Guinness World Record for the largest car wash in history.
The Soaps It Up! Car Wash held across the U.S. and Canada on June 20, 2009 is a fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis in Canada and the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the U.S., as well as some local market charities. More than 200 CARSTAR stores throughout both countries are expected to participate in the one-day event. Tickets are being sold at participating CARSTAR stores for $10, with 100 percent of the ticket purchase benefiting the selected charities.
 
To set the Guinness World Record for "Most Cars Washed - Multiple Venues," CARSTAR must wash more than 4,000 vehicles during an eight-hour period at all of the participating locations.  Local scouting troops, charity volunteers and CARSTAR staff will be on hand to wash the vehicles, along with a Guinness World Records official to validate the feat if successful.

Dick Cross, Chairman and CEO of CARSTAR, noted,  "We want to help drivers across the United States and Canada get their cars ready for the summer driving season while giving back to the communities where our stores are located."

"We are hoping to set the Guinness World Record with our effort.  Our stores probably wash more vehicles on a daily basis as they repair consumers' cars than anyone else in North America, so we'd love to have bragging rights to the world record."

CARSTAR is partnering with 3M Car Care, a manufacturer of high-performance products for washing and waxing vehicles, to provide car wash soap, glass cleaner, tire cleaner and microfiber cloths for drying.
 
Courtney Hansen, 3M spokesperson and host of "Powerblock" on Spike TV, will be the national host for the "Soaps It Up!" Car Wash.  She willshare her car care advice and providing support for the June 20th event.
 
"Everyone needs to get their car washed from time to time, so the "Soaps It Up!" Car Wash allows people to take care of this task, take care of children in need and help set a world record, all at the same time," said Hansen.  "I'm looking forward to helping get cars cleaned up across both countries and setting the new Guinness World Record."
 
CARSTAR also is partnering with Hertz, to offer a free rental upgrade with every ticket purchase.  
 
CARSTAR stores in Canada have been conducting the "Soaps It Up!" Car Wash for the past five years. This is the first time the program has been done in the United States. It will be the first attempt for any organization to set the record for the largest car wash across multiple locations.  For more information on the "Soaps It Up!" Car Wash, go to www.CARSTAR.com. The site lists participating CARSTAR locations, provides more information on the program and will track the progress toward the Guinness World Record on the day of the event.