Das ist doch mal eine sehr gute Nachricht und recht zeitig.
Champ Car liess heute verlautbaren, dass Bridgestone bis durch die Saison 2009 hinweg der offizielle Reifenlieferant der Champ Car World Series bleiben wird. Bereits im November 2006 stimmte Bridgestone und Champ Car einem Mehrjahresvertrag zu, der Bridgestone den Status des "Offiziellen Reifens" der Serie für 2007 und 2008 zusicherte. Man hat genug Rücklagen, dass man den Vertrag automatisch für 2009 erneuern kann.
Bereits zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt ist Bridgestone in der Lage, Champ Car mit entsprechenden Reifen bis 2009 zu versorgen.
Bridgestone Will Remain Official Tire of Champ Car Through 2009
Provisions Already Met for Contract Extension just Five Events into 2007 Season
CLEVELAND (June 22, 2007) – Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT), and Champ Car are pleased to announce that, less than halfway through the 2007 Champ Car World Series season, provisions have been met to assure that the Bridgestone brand will remain the series’ Official Tire through at least 2009.
BFNT and Champ Car agreed on a multiyear deal in November 2006 that secured Bridgestone’s Official Tire status for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Contingencies were put in place then that would trigger automatic contract renewal for the 2009 season. Commensurate with this weekend’s Grand Prix of Cleveland Presented by LaSalle Bank – just five events into 2007 – BFNT has already met the provisions to activate the extension and ensure that Bridgestone Potenzas will equip every Champ Car through the completion of the ‘09 schedule.
“Bridgestone has been a strong and very valued Champ Car partner since the brand joined the series in 2002,” said Champ Car President and CEO Steve Johnson. “We’re delighted that Bridgestone is certain to remain the Official Tire of Champ Car through at least 2009. At that time, the Bridgestone Firestone family will have been involved in Champ Car for 15 years.
“That longevity,” Johnson added, “is a testament to the tremendous relationship we have cultivated, and it is much more than a sanctioning body/supplier relationship. BFNT has activated its position with Champ Car extensively, is a strong marketing partner and provides the best, most reliable race tires in the business. We couldn’t be happier for this relationship to continue as we grow.”
In addition to its responsibility as Official Tire of Champ Car, which includes use of the popular “red” alternate tire concept at every 2007 event, Bridgestone has supported the series this year with such unique initiatives as the free fan photo booth available at all domestic events and the series’ driver autograph card used for the all-driver autograph sessions held every race weekend. The Bridgestone brand also continued long-standing agreements to serve as the Official Tire at the Long Beach and Cleveland events, as well as adding that status for the new races in Las Vegas and Phoenix.
“Our company has remained very active in supporting Champ Car with more than just fine race tires,” said Al Speyer, BFNT’s executive director of motorsports. “It is an ideal pairing between a global series and a global brand. We’ll continue to remain actively involved and look to increase that involvement as the contract extension takes place through 2009. I can confidently say that both sides wanted to see this partnership continue, and we’re all very glad to see it realized so quickly.”
About Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC:
Nashville-based Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in North America.
Quelle: Champ Car PR
