CHAMP CAR WORLD SERIES ANNOUNCES MULTI-YEAR EXTENSION OF PRESENTING
SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY
INDIANAPOLIS (April 5, 2005) -- The Champ Car World Series and Ford
Motor Company today announced a multi-year extension of their agreement
that will see the fabled auto manufacturer continue as one of the
presenting sponsors of the Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World
Series Powered by Ford.
The extension of the contract ensures the continuation of one of the
longest-running partnerships in the Champ Car World Series, maintaining a
relationship that began when Ford returned to the series with Cosworth
Racing in 1992. Since then, Ford has scored 91 victories and notched four
championships in Champ Car competition.
"Ford Motor Company has been one of the cornerstones of the Champ
Car World Series in the last decade and we are very pleased to be able to
extend our relationship." said Champ Car President Dick Eidswick.
Ford Motor Company will retain its presence on the Ford-Cosworth XFE
engines that power every car in the Champ Car World Series, continuing as
the exclusive engine supplier to the series -- a relationship that
enters its third season with the 2005 campaign.
The Ford Motor Company will also continue to provide many of their
high-performance machines to the popular Champ Car Fast Lap Program.
Specialized SVT cars such as the Mustang Cobra, Focus and the F150
Lightning truck will be part of the Fast Lap Program which paces each of
the Champ Car sessions as well as providing high-speed thrill rides to
customers on each stop on the 2005 series schedule. In addition,
highly-specialized Ford F-150 trucks are provided as part of the
state-of-the-art Champ Car Safety Team, which provides immediate medical
response to any incident that takes place on the race track.
"We're very happy with this extension and look forward to our
continued relationship with the Champ Car World Series," said Dan
Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology. "Champ Car's ownership
is committed to expanding the series and we believe that their ability to
successfully stage high-profile events internationally will allow us to
showcase the many new and exciting products that Ford has in its
lineup."
The agreement allows for the stars of the Champ Car World Series to sport
the legendary Blue Oval off the track as well, as Ford Motor Company will
provide an allotment of vehicles to each of the Champ Car teams and
drivers for their use.
The 2005 Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford
campaign gets underway April 8-10 as the 750hp turbocharged Champ Cars
take to the streets of Long Beach. Sunday's season-opener takes
place at 4 p.m. Eastern Time and can be seen live on NBC.
The Champ Car World Series features some of the greatest race car drivers
in the world competing in the most diverse and exciting series in the
world. Champions Sebastien Bourdais, Jimmy Vasser, Cristiano da Matta and
Canadian Paul Tracy along with 2004 Roshfrans Rookie of the Year A. J.
Allmendinger, Bruno Junqueira, Alex Tagliani and Mexican Mario Dominguez
are among the drivers who battle for the Vanderbilt Cup, which is awarded
to the winner of the Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series
Powered by Ford. The title is contested on oval circuits, temporary
street circuits and permanent road courses.
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