FORT MILL, S.C. – Continental Tire has been selected as the title sponsor and official tire of the GRAND-AM Sports Car Challenge Road Racing series in 2010. The series will be titled the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. The GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge features factory showroom high-performance race cars that push the performance of their vehicles at some of the most renowned tracks from in North America. 
The five-year agreement is the latest development to come from Continental’s strategic vision for growth within North America. This latest announcement will support the ongoing launch of Continental’s new ExtremeContact tire line. The 2010 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge will feature today’s hottest international and domestic stock high-performance vehicles, running on Continental’s new ExtremeContact tires.
“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 creation of the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge is the culmination of months of tactical discussions and planning between GRAND-AM and Continental Tire. At the core of the agreement was the mutual desire to select a competition platform to showcase the performance and durability of Continental Tires within the punishing environment of motorsports.
“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.”
The series kicks off Jan. 8-10 with Test Days at Daytona International Raceway, with race days beginning Jan. 29 and will continue through mid-September. Events will be televised on the SPEED Network.
