Record level of Corporate involvement at Sebring

Raceway expects largest grid in five years for 2010 endurance classic

Sebring International Raceway has reached a record level of corporate participation for next month’s 58th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. Hospitality, sponsorships, advertising and other corporate involvement is the highest ever achieved since joining the American Le Mans Series in 1999.

“These are challenging times, especially in our industry,” stated Sebring President and General Manager Tres Stephenson. “However, we have managed to set a new record this year in terms of corporate involvement. This is a testament to Sebring’s legendary status in motorsports and its proven record as a sports marketing tool with a worldwide audience. Together with the American Le Mans Series, Sebring has poised itself for another decade of growth.”

On track, Sebring will feature its largest entry in five years, a further indication that the American Le Mans Series continues to strengthen its role as North America’s leading sports car racing series.

A small selection the highlights include the first race for the factory Lola-Aston Martin in North America, the debut of the American Le Mans Series’ two new Challenge classes, and an epic GT2 clash that features six world-class manufacturers – BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Jaguar and Porsche.

“I could not be more proud of Tres Stephenson and his staff for the results they are producing,” said Scott Atherton, President and CEO of the American Le Mans Series. “At a time when positive growth for any business is hard to come by, almost every category of measure for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida is up. To be able to report solid increases in sponsorship, corporate hospitality and ticket sales is truly remarkable. And with a larger field of world-class cars the racing will not disappoint either.

Altogether it promises to be another outstanding event. “I think there are good reasons for the success Sebring is having at a time when other venues are not as fortunate,” Atherton added. “In all of motorsport there is nothing like the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. For the teams and drivers it represents the most demanding sports car endurance race in the world. As they say…12 hours of racing at Sebring is tougher and more enlightening than 24 hours any place else. And for fans it represents a combination of one of the great spectacles of motorsport – with outstanding racing taking place on the circuit coupled with an unmatched slate of activities taking place off the track – all surrounded by one of the most entertaining and unique atmospheres you’ll ever find at a race track.”

Sebring’s list of major sponsors includes Mobil 1, Fresh from Florida, Jaguar, Yokohama, Coca-Cola, Budweiser, Alpina Geneve, and Highlands Today/Tampa Tribune. Additionally, dozen of other national and regional companies have partnered with Sebring International Raceway for this year’s race.

Source ALMS © RIF