Series names 2008 tire sponsor

Pirelli To Be Official Partner Of The Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series 2008 - 2010

Agreement signed during Pirelli's 100th year in motor racing.
All Daytona Prototype and GT cars in the series to race on Pirelli P Zero.

Daytona Beach, 27 January, 2007. Pirelli Competizioni, which is celebrating its 100th year in top level motor sport during 2007, are pleased to announce the successful conclusion of an agreement with Grand-Am under which the Italian manufacturer will supply its P Zero Racing tires to the teams competing for the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve during the three year period from 2008-2010. Both the Daytona Prototype and GT categories of Grand-Am's premier series will be able to take full advantage of Pirelli's technology and know-how in racing.

Director of Pirelli Competizioni Paul Hembery observed: "The importance of this agreement assumes an even greater significance as it has been reached during a year that coincides with a major anniversary for Pirelli -- our 100th year in motor racing. During that century of motor sport, Pirelli tires have won throughout the world in events ranging from Formula One and Rallying to Desert Raids and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Victories on American soil are an important feature of that history too".

"To have a partner with the rich history and racing heritage of Pirelli join Grand-Am is a milestone event in our relatively short history," said Grand-Am President Roger Edmondson. "Pirelli is recognized worldwide as a top of the line performance tire and the fact that they now want to further solidify that reputation in the Grand-Am Rolex Series is an extreme honor."

Pirelli's first prestigious victory in the United States was scored 50 years ago, when Juan Manuel Fangio and Jean Behra won the 12 Hours of Sebring in a Maserati 450S on the Milan-made tires. More recently, Pirelli won the 1995 and 1996 IMSA Championships with Ferrari and Oldsmobile-Riley & Scott and in 2000, rather appropriately, the GT 'Triple Crown' (Drivers, Manufacturers, and Team Championships) of the inaugural Grand-Am Rolex Series season with the Saleen-Speedlab Team. Last year, Pirelli won five races in the 2006 American Le Mans Series with the factory Aston Martin DBR9s.

Commenting further on the agreement, Paul Hembery noted "the partnership accord signed with Grand-Am is of considerable importance to Pirelli in the United States. We have carefully examined the evolution of the Grand-Am series and have been very impressed by its rapid growth into one of the leading players on the American racing scene. On that basis we want to offer all our support and technical know-how, work together with all the teams, drivers and organizers, widen the promotional activity, and ensure for everyone a continuing growth and elevated recognition at an international level."

-credit: garra