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.
Return to Phoenix in the News
Return to Phoenix in the News (Subarus)
