Conti, IMSA extend race tire contracts

Financial terms were not disclosed.

“We are committed to the growth and success of sports car racing in America,” said Travis Roffler, director of marketing for Continental Tire, “and we are happy to continue our dedication to giving drivers, teams and manufacturers a tire with the best technologies that they can depend on every lap.”

Ed Bennett, CEO of IMSA, said it “is vital to have enthusiastic partners to help us grow the sport. Continental Tire has been, and will continue to be, one of our most active and supportive partners.”

Continental Tire will continue to supply competitors with its ExtremeContact race tires — manufactured by Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. under a five-year-old technical agreement with Conti — together with trackside tire service support at all Tudor Championship and Continental Tire Challenge events.

The agreement also calls for all cars in the P, PC and GTD classes to display the Continental Tire logo and provides Conti opportunities for at-track via hospitality, signage, event entitlements and other marketing initiatives.

Conti also plans to support the series off-track through a variety of promotions, marketing events and television coverage.

The TUSC's Grand Touring Le Mans class will remain an open class for tire competition; to date only Michelin Motorsports and Falken Tire Corp. are competing.

Continental Tire debuted as entitlement sponsor and exclusive tire supplier for the Continental Tire Challenge in 2010. The following year the global company became the official tire of GRAND-AM as well as exclusive tire supplier to both the Continental Tire Challenge and Rolex Sports Car Series.

In 2013, Continental gained the tire supply and sponsorship contracts for the Tudor United Sports Car Championship, which was created by the merger of the Rolex Sports Car Series and the American Le Mans Series.