Maxxis to sponsor ChumpCar World Series

SUWANEE, Ga. — Cheng Shin Rubber Co. Ltd./Maxxis International will sponsor the stage races of the ChumpCar World Series, a racing series geared to weekend racers and amateurs who dream of turning professional.

As a non-profit, ChumpCar stages races that are team-based endurance events, so drivers face fewer budgetary obstacles than in other, profit-based series, according to Maxxis. The circuit has held more than 200 events since it was founded in 2009.

Maxxis, the official tire of the series, will award first-place drivers four free tires, while second-place racers will win three free tires, and third, fourth and fifth-place drivers will win two free tires each.

"We've long supported grassroots racing across a range of sports, so Maxxis is delighted to sponsor this series, which allows average drivers to get the thrill of racing and wheel-to-wheel competition," Ritche Tay, a senior marketing coordinator with Maxxis, said.

ChumpCar rules require competitors to equip their cars with basic safety equipment — roll-cage, racing seat, fire-suppression system, racing harness, etc. — and the sanctioning body has established a points-based system to value the cars.

Each make/model is assigned a specific base point value. Performance items, such as shocks, springs, engine modifications, etc. are assigned additional points. A car's total point value cannot exceed 500 points.

Tire choice if free and tires do not count toward the point total. Tires must be DOT legal and have treadwear rating of 180 or higher. Maxxis offers its Victra VR-1 extreme summer tire as its competition tire of choice.

ChumpCar has various race formats, ranging from seven hours to 24 hours, which means competitors need a at least three drivers for most event.