DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 6, 2001)—Grand American Road Racing Association has reached a multiyear agreement with Goodyear, making Goodyear and Dunlop the exclusive tire brands for the Rolex Sports Car Series through the 2004 season.
Goodyear will use the contract in particular to promote the Dunlop brand, according to Gary Wassell, Dunlop's general sales manager, motorsport. “We are definitely looking to increase awareness of the Dunlop brand in America, and working closely with Grand-Am, we will be doing promotions around the country to bring more awareness to the Dunlop brand and to the Rolex Sports Car Series.”
Goodyear will be the sole supplier of tires for the SportsRacing Prototype, GTS and American GT classes, which primarily are purpose-built, two-seat race cars. Dunlop will be the exclusive tire in SportsRacing Prototype II and GT classes, which feature competition-prepared versions of sports cars and sedans. The Rolex series is expected to stage 10 races at eight North American road racing circuits in 2002. The premier event is the 24-hour endurance race at Daytona International Speedway in February.
Previously, Rolex series competitors were able to choose their tire suppliers freely. Besides Goodyear, other tire makers competing in the series this past year included Avon Tyres and Yokohama Tire Corp.
As part of the agreement, Goodyear and Dunlop will be offering tire vouchers as awards worth $15,000 per race.
Earlier, the GARRA extended Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.'s contract to be the exclusive tire supplier for its Grand-Am street-stock-based racing series through the 2004 season.