Michelin backs Vette motorsports park

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (April 29, 2014) — Michelin North America Inc. is parlaying its position as the sole OE tire supplier to the Chevrolet Corvette into “official tire” status for the Michelin brand for the National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park, a facility under construction near to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green.

The $25 million, 184-acre NCM Motorsports Park on Interstate 65 in central Kentucky will include two circuits that combine to form a high speed loop of 1.6 miles and an extended 3.15 miles course, Michelin said.

As an official sponsor and the official tire of the park, Michelin will have product privileges and displays at both the museum and park and will be the presenting sponsor for three events to be held at the NCM and Motorsports Park during the three-year term of the contract.

“This sponsorship…gives the project a big boost of momentum,” said Wendell Strode, executive director of the NCM, at a recent ceremony.   “We are excited about the opportunities a partnership between Michelin, the Motorsports Park and the Museum will bring.”

Silvia Mammone, motorsports and sponsorship marketing manager, Michelin North America, noted this partnership is an extension of other relationships Michelin has forged with Corvette owners and enthusiasts since becoming a technical partner with Corvette Racing in 2004.

“The fact that every new Corvette C7 Stingray and ZO6 Corvette rolls out of (General Motors' plant in) Bowling Green exclusively on Michelin tires aligns perfectly with the launch of the NCM Motorsports Park and our growing relationship with the Corvette Nation.”

The parties did not disclose the value of Michelin's sponsorship.

The backers of the project broke ground last June. The venue is expected to attract more than 80,000 visitors each year, generating an estimated impact of $15 million in motorsports tourism and racing events revenues.

The facility is expected to open later this summer and already has more than 120 event days booked.