DAYTON, Ohio — Forgeline Motorsports L.L.C. has signed a sponsorship deal with the Pirelli World Challenge (PWC) racing series that provides the Dayton-based custom wheel maker with brand exposure through the PWC's promotional efforts.
Forgeline said it decided to join the PWC's official sponsorship ranks because of its long-term involvement and commitment to the series, as well as the company's desire to grow with the series, which has been allied with Pirelli Tire since 2011.
"Racing is why we exist, and it's also a part of our history at Forgeline Motorsports," Forgeline President Dave Schardt said.
"Sponsoring the Pirelli World Challenge was always a goal for us, so now we're extremely proud to be a part of such an important series in the racing world."
Forgeline said it expects to gain brand exposure through the PWC's website and weekly social media posts, through trackside promotional efforts and the Forgeline logo on all competing cars.
The company also plans to supplement the PWC's promotional activities with its own trackside videos and TV appearances.
PWC Championships President and CEO Greg Gill said, "Forgeline has been a fixture in our paddock with their support of teams across all classes for many years. Their brand's legacy of quality and performance is a welcome addition to our series."
Financial terms of the one-year deal were not disclosed, but Forgeline said it is one of the largest promotional investments it's ever made.
Forgeline has a built-in presence in at least one of the PWC's three GT classes. It is the wheel spec'd by Ford Motor Co. for the Mustang GT4, by General Motors Co. for the Camaro GT4R and Panoz L.L.C. for the Avezzano GT, all of which compete in the GTS class.
Forgeline said it is the only U.S.-made wheel available in the GTS field. The company previously offered contingency rewards, but this has lapsed considering its homologation on several car models this year.
The PWC, considered North America's "premier" production-based sports car sprint series, is entering its 29th season. Last year the series attracted entries from 26 auto makers with 44 separate models.
In 2018 the PWC will host 10 race weekends at tracks throughout the U.S. and Canada, staging races for seven classes of GT and performance sedans — GT, GTA, GT Cup, GTS, TCR, TC and TCA.
The 2018 season begins March 9-11 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., and finishes Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at Watkins Glen International in upstate New York.
Forgeline designs, engineers and manufactures one- and three-piece forged aluminum street performance and racing performance wheels at its headquarters factory in Dayton.