Daytona Beach, FL - December 1, 2009
GRAND-AM Road Racing is pleased to announce the entitlement sponsorship of the Sports Car Challenge with Continental Tire of Fort Mill, S.C. The new agreement entails the tire manufacturer becoming the title sponsor of GRAND-AM's Sports Car Challenge, which features factory showroom, high-performance sports cars. The series will be officially known as the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, beginning Jan. 1, 2010.
The five-year agreement also details a fully-integrated sponsorship that includes race entitlements and in-market activation. In addition, Continental Tire becomes the series' exclusive tire supplier.
The GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge agreement is the culmination of months of planning between the two parties to develop a partnership that showcases the performance and durability of Continental Tires while continuing to support the rapid growth of the Sports Car Challenge.
"GRAND-AM is excited Continental Tire has recognized the Sports Car Challenge as one of the fastest growing motorsports series and has made a choice to partner with us," said Kevin Hindson, Vice President of Marketing, GRAND-AM Road Racing. "Continental Tire brings with them a great history of product quality and performance. Their commitment to motorsports tire technology and advanced performance solutions can only add to the already amazing competition and continued growth of what will now be known as the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge."
"This entitlement sponsorship adds an entirely new dimension to our marketing strategy to promote the Continental brand. The exclusive and official tire status will help to emphasize the performance capabilities of the ExtremeContact tire lines," said Bill Caldwell, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Continental Tire. "GRAND-AM Road Racing is one of the highest-caliber racing series in the world and we are proud and excited to be a part of it. We're looking forward to the start of the 2010 season."
The GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge showcases the latest in international and American-made high-performance sports cars, coupes and sedans straight from the dealer showroom floor modified for safety. The competition is divided into two classes, Grand Sport and Street Tuner, which usually compete in the same race.
Grand Sport (GS) includes high-performance international exotics from Porsche and BMW which go head-to-head with American muscle cars from Ford and Chevrolet. Street Tuner (ST) features smaller compact cars including Chevy Cobalt, Mini Cooper, Subaru Legacy, Honda Civic Si, Mazda RX-8 and BMW 330i, and in 2010 will introduce the KIA Forte Koup.
The GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge officially kicks off the 2010 season with the "Roar Before The Rolex 24" test days Jan. 8-10 at Daytona International Speedway. The test days are in preparation for the Fresh From Florida 200 race on Jan. 29, which will be broadcast on SPEED. The event will include a pre-race grid walk, an autograph session and other activities for family enjoyment. For tickets, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.
About GRAND-AM
GRAND-AM Road Racing, which operates and sanctions the Rolex Sports Car Series and the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, is the foremost sanctioning body of sports car racing in North America.. The 12-race Rolex Series 2010 schedule and the 10-race Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge 2010 calendar deliver professional sports car racing to key markets throughout North America in addition to being televised in the U.S. and Canada on SPEED and distributed globally through ESPN International. GRAND-AM Road Racing showcases emerging and legendary drivers from around the globe and thoroughbred racing machines from the industry's leading constructors and the world's top automobile manufacturers. Learn more about GRAND-AM at www.grand-am.com.
About Continental Tire
With sales exceeding €24 billion ($42.27 billion USD) in 2008, the Continental Corporation is one of the top automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. The corporation currently employs approximately 134,000 at nearly 190 locations in 37 countries.
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