Team ADT Champion Racing, reining LMP1 American Le Mans Series Champion, is pleased to announce the 2005 title and associate sponsors for the #1 and #2 Audi R8 LMP1 cars entered in all 10 races in the premier North American sports car series, the American Le Mans Series. Champion Racing will also enter the same two cars at the 73rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.
ADT Security Services, Inc., in its fourth season with Champion Racing, will continue as title sponsor on both cars. Returning as associate sponsors for Champion Racing are Audi Sport North America, Ansul and long time supporter Michelin. Jyske Bank and S line, a product of quattro GmbH, enter their first season as additional associate sponsors. Audi Sport UK, a division of the British Audi importer, offers their support for two races, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“The ADT Champion Racing team experienced a record breaking year in 2004 thanks to its commitment to technology and emphasis on teamwork, two endeavors also very important to ADT. ADT’s association with Champion Racing has been tremendous, and the diverse fan base of the American Le Mans Series has helped ADT reach out to new and existing audiences all over the world,” said Mike Snyder, President of ADT. “ADT is very proud to be a part of this team’s success and to be such a driving force in such a popular and rapidly growing sport.”
Celebrating its 130th anniversary, ADT Security Services, Inc., a business unit of Tyco Fire & Security, is the largest provider of electronic security services to nearly six million commercial, government and residential customers throughout North America. ADT’s total security solutions include intrusion, fire protection, closed circuit television, access control, critical condition monitoring, electronic article surveillance, RFID and integrated systems. ADT’s web site address is www.adt.com.
Ansul is the premium fire suppression product range, which is part of Tyco Fire & Security’s Fire Suppression business unit. The full line of ANSUL special hazard fire protection products includes fire extinguishers and hand line units; pre-engineered restaurant, vehicle, and industrial systems; sophisticated fire detection/suppression systems and a complete line of dry chemical, foam, and gaseous extinguishing agents. ANSUL products are developed and tested at the ANSUL Fire Technology Center, one of the most extensive fire research and testing facilities in the world. ANSUL products meet the demanding challenge of industry and commerce, including high hazard/ high risk markets such as aviation, mining, chemical and petro-chemical, utility and metal manufacturing/processing industries. Ansul’s web site address is www.ansul.com.
Jyske Bank is the second largest independent bank in Denmark with offices located in several European capitals including London, Hamburg and Zurich. The bank is publicly listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange. The shares are spread to over 231,000 individuals, mainly customers.
Jyske Bank operates on a value-based frame that gives Branches and employees the possibility to operate autonomously within known policies and goals to provide the highest level of personal service and financial advice. Their well-practiced communication skills and taking a genuine interest in their customers, is part of the Bank’s customer commitment. The Bank is focused on providing excellence in investment services to private individual and institutions.
Jyske Markets, one of the banks business areas, has teamed up with Audi for this year’s assault on the Le Mans 24 Hours and the American Le Mans Series. Jyske Markets and Jyske Bank have had a successful partnership with Tom Kristensen since January 2004, which has reinforced Jyske Markets’ commitment to extend their participation within motorsports in 2005. For more information, please visit www.jyskebank.com.
S line sport packages, a product of quattro GmbH, is used for special edition production Audi vehicles. quattro GmbH has been representing a very special flavour of lifestyle to complement cars that sport the four-ring badge since October 1983. The fully-owned subsidiary of AUDI AG offers friends and followers of the Audi brand an extensive range of high-tech products, customization options and lifestyle articles. It adds a note of sports appeal, individuality and exclusivity to the technically advanced products for which Audi is renowned. quattro GmbH supports Audi through its sporty and individual products. Its aim is to satisfy exceptionally challenging requirements to an exceptionally high degree.
Michelin designs and produces some of the best tires for the top racing series around the world. And like the best drivers in the world, validation comes from Michelin tires crossing the line first. On the street or on the racetrack, Michelin strives to be the best and provide quality performance tires for every car fitted with Michelin rubber. The world's largest tire maker, Michelin (www.michelinman.com) manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs 23,000 and operates 21 plants in 17 locations.
Audi Sport UK is the motorsport division of Audi UK, the British importer of AUDI AG. Involved in rallying in the 1980s with the pioneering Audi quattro, Audi Sport UK won the 1996 British Touring Car Championship and has been represented in the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1999, 2003 and 2004 having scored its maiden international race win in last year's Sebring 12 Hours as well as capturing the inaugural Le Mans Endurance Series title. “Audi UK has always had a good business relationship with Audi of America, Inc., so I’m delighted that we can join forces with them and Champion Racing,” confirmed David Ingram, Audi Sport UK's Motorsport Manager. www.audi.co.uk
Audi Sport North America, the motorsports division of Audi of America, was created in 1999 to facilitate Audi's involvement in motorsports in the United States and Canada. Since 2000, Audi Sport North America has won five Manufacturer and five Driver’s Championships in the American Le Mans Series (2000-2004). In the SPEED World Challenge GT Series, Audi Sport North America won three Manufacturer Championships (2001, 2003, 2004) and three Driver’s Championships (2001, 2002, 2003). " Audi of America is looking forward to having Champion Racing competing with two Audi R8 cars in 2005, this being the final year of a long and successful career for the R8,” commented Rod Bymaster, Manager, Audi Sport North America. “The R8 started its career at Sebring with a win, so we are hoping its last race will be as successful. It would also be great if Champion Racing could get their first win at Sebring since this is their home track. It would be a great way to start their defense of the Manufacturer and Driver’s Championship from 2004." www.audiusa.com
Champion Racing, founded in 1994 by Dave Maraj, is one of the entities of the Champion Group which includes Audi and Porsche dealerships as well as Champion Motorsports, an aftermarket parts and accessories company. In its short history, Champion Racing has become one of the top privateer teams in the world. With numerous podium finishes, Manufacturer and Driver’s championships, and the goal to race "the best of the best", Champion Racing has gained worldwide recognition. The cars, crews and drivers command well deserved respect in the competitive field where only the best survive. Champion Racing employs 40 people at its 16,000 square foot facility in Pompano Beach, Florida. Please visit www.championracing.net for more information.
Team ADT Champion Racing will compete in North America’s most prestigious and longest running sports car race, the 53rd Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring March 16-19 in Sebring, Florida. This inaugural American Le Mans Series race continues to attract the finest and most competitive sports car teams from around the world, 2nd only to the renowned 24 Hours of Le Mans race in Le Sarthe, France.