CRP Racing signs Fellows; adds primary sponsor

CRP Racing Adds Driver Ron Fellows and Sponsor Carlisle Companies To World Challenge Line-Up

Harrisburg, NC (March 4, 2010) -- CRP Racing is pleased to announce that seasoned road-course racer Ron Fellows will be driving its No. 2 Chevrolet Corvette C6 in the 2010 World Challenge GT Championship.

A longtime sports car and road-racing veteran, Fellows is credited with three class championships in the American Le Mans Series, two class wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and 19 overall victories in the Sports Car Club of America's Trans-Am Series as a member of the Corvette Racing Team.

Fellows made 14 World Challenge GT starts between 2004 and 2007, earning three wins (Mosport in 2004, Mosport in 2005, and Long Beach in 2006) and seven podium finishes. Fellows also was fastest qualifier three times.

CRP Racing owner, Nicholas Short, is excited to have a driver of Ron Fellows' caliber join the team.

"I've known Ron since the Trans-Am days and when the opportunity arose to have him drive for us, it was a very easy decision," Short said. "I couldn't be happier having him join CRP Racing."

Also joining the CRP Racing Team is primary sponsor Carlisle Companies, Inc. which is a diversified global manufacturing company serving industries ranging from foodservice to aerospace to specialty trailers to construction materials to specialty tires and wheels. Carlisle will use the opportunity to promote their Cragar, Black Rock & ITP wheel brands and ITP Off-Road and Carlisle trailer tire brands. In the past, Carlisle has been involved in off-road racing with its ITP and Black Rock brands. Cars equipped with ITP tires earned class wins at the 2009 Baja 500 and 1000 off-road races.

"Carlisle is headquartered in the heart of racing country, Charlotte, NC," said David Roberts, Chairman, President and CEO of Carlisle Companies, Inc. "We manufacture tires, wheels and power transmission belts used in some of the toughest racing environments. Our sponsorship of cars in last year's Baja 500 and 1000 races were successful as class wins were achieved by cars using ITP tires and wheels.

"Partnering with CRP and Ron Fellows is an extension of our commitment to the performance and motorsports industry," Roberts continued. "Our Cragar wheel brand was the wheel of choice by many of the top names in motorsports in the past and we look forward to rekindling that preference. Cragar branded products continue to be a favorite with hot rod and muscle car enthusiasts. The introduction of the Black Rock brand for the off-road enthusiast has been extremely successful and we want to continue that success. I think the association with CRP Racing will allow us to accomplish our goals. In addition, many of our employees are racing enthusiasts and successful amateur racers. Sponsoring CRP Racing is a natural fit for us and allows our products and people to be involved in motorsports."

With the support of Carlisle Companies, Inc. and the talent and skill of driver Ron Fellows, CRP Racing looks forward to running a highly competitive race team in the World Challenge GT Series this season.

-source: crp racing