Calling it a 'very difficult decision,' Bridgestone says the
company has 'mutually agreed' with IndyCar to allow its
Firestone sponsorship and supply contract with the sanctioning
body’s IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights to expire
at the end of the 2011 season.
“During our long history in racing we have met or exceeded all
of our motorsports goals,” says Al Speyer, executive director
of Firestone Racing. “So now it’s time to set new goals – for
ourselves and our brands.”
He notes that “companies that strive to achieve the highest
levels of brand loyalty and recognition must continue to find
ever more effective ways to communicate their brand messages.
This is part of our process to ensure that we are doing the
best we can to support and further strengthen our brands. The
Firestone brand has been, is now and will be an extremely
important part of our business. We’re very excited about our
future prospects to grow the Firestone brand.”
Speyer goes on to say that “I would like to express our deep
appreciation for the support we have received from IndyCar,
the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the participants in the sport
and our passionate fans. We want to commend IndyCar on the
recent positive momentum with new engine manufacturers and
other corporate partners coming on board and wish the series
continuing success.”
Firestone’s connection to the Indianapolis 500 began in 1911
when Ray Harroun won the very first race on Firestone
tires.
The company’s current open-wheel era began in 1991 with title
sponsorship of the Indy Lights series. Firestone Racing made
its return to the Indianapolis 500 in 1995, and its tires were
on the winning car of the very first IndyCar (then IRL)-
sanctioned race in 1996.
PAGE 2 Firestone is the only tire manufacturer to have participated
in each and every IndyCar event, according to Speyer.
“Of all the wins, championships and milestones achieved
throughout the years, perhaps the most noteworthy and the
company’s most cherished is that Firestone tires will have
equipped 62 of 95 Indianapolis 500-mile race winners – more
than all other tire manufacturers combined – after this year’s
centennial event,” he says.
“Even though we’ve announced our decision to retire from
IndyCar competition, I want to assure our drivers, teams and
fans that Firestone Racing is committed to maintaining the
highest standards of performance and support through the 2011
season,” Speyer continues.
“We are also developing plans to commemorate the 100th
anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, and are looking forward
to celebrating our winning partnership and honoring our
decades-long relationship as part of this milestone,” he
says.
“Finally, I’d like to personally thank all of the hard-working
individuals who have poured their hearts and souls into making
Firestone Racing’s endeavors such a successful and rewarding
experience over the past 21 years.”
For more information, visit www.bridgestone-
firestone.com.
