Fashion house Robert Graham has announced today that the brand will serve as the primary sponsor for the No. 6 KV Racing Technology Chevrolet/Dallara/Firestone entry in the 2014 Indianapolis 500 driven by Townsend Bell on May 25^th at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.

“We are very pleased to associate Robert Graham with Townsend Bell for the 2014 Indianapolis 500,” said Michael Buckley, Chief Executive Officer of Robert Graham. “Partnering with Townsend is a strategic brand fit, providing a fun and exciting platform to reach millions of IndyCar fans and gain positive brand exposure. Townsend is an extremely talented driver, knowledgeable commentator and athlete who fully personifies the Robert Graham lifestyle. The Robert Graham team and our fans around the world are cheering for him.”

Bell, a 38-year-old American, competes in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship driving for AIM Autosport with Ferrari. Bell, who will be contesting a major U.S. based open-wheel event for the 12^th season, will be making his eighth start at the Brickyard. In seven previous Indy 500’s he has a best starting of fourth, in 2011, and has earned three top-10 finishes with a best showing of fourth in 2009, coincidentally, while competing with KV Racing Technology.

“As a long time Robert Graham enthusiast, I can’t think of a better ‘fit’!” said Townsend Bell. “I think race fans will love the paint scheme.  If the car is as fast as Robert Graham’s customer base is growing, we’ll be in great shape on race day. Pop those collars, roll back the cuffs, it’s time to get it on!”

“I am very pleased to have Townsend and Robert Graham join KV Racing Technology for this year’s Indianapolis 500,” said Jimmy Vasser, co-owner of KV Racing Technology. “Townsend has a lot of experience at the Speedway and did a great job the last time he drove there for us. I think the entire team will benefit from his knowledge as we go through our program in preparation for the Indy 500. Also, with Robert Graham on board I think we will be the best dressed team in the paddock during the month of May.”

American road circuit Virginia International Raceway has announced Bernard Richards Manufacture (BRM) as the official timepiece of the track.

BRM, shop a French watchmaking manufacturer, adiposity has signed on as a multi-year sponsor for VIR.

“BRM has always been a favorite of many of racing’s elite,” said Connie Nyholm, CEO and owner of VIR. “At VIR we pride ourselves on our rich past and promising future. Partnering with an organization like BRM that knows luxury is in the details like we do at VIR was a natural fit and one we’re incredibly excited about.” 

As part of the partnership, BRM will have signage throughout VIR and an official “BRM Countdown” clock will be featured on VIR’s website to show the amount of time remaining until VIR’s next race or event. In addition, BRM Chronographes will be sold onsite at VIR in the TMI Racing Products store and online at www.virnow.com. 

“VIR is one of the most exciting road courses in America and a favorite of drivers and fans like myself,” said Dean Ross, director of business development for BRM Americas. “We’re thrilled to be the official timepiece of the track and serve as a sponsor and partner in the years to come.”

Wayne Taylor Racing today announced that it has reached an agreement with Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc., to become the new primary sponsor of its No. 10 Chevrolet Corvette Dallara Daytona Prototype for the 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship.

The first race for the team in the new Konica Minolta colors was the Tequila Patron Sports Car Showcase Saturday (April 12), as part of the 40th annual Grand Prix of Long Beach Verizon IndyCar Series weekend, where Wayne Taylor’s sons Ricky and Jordan will partner together to drive the No. 10 Chevrolet Corvette Daytona Prototype.

“We are so proud and incredibly happy to enter into this partnership with Konica Minolta,” said team owner and three-time sports car racing champion Wayne Taylor. Taylor’s younger son Jordan Taylor and longtime partner and former co-driver Max Angelelli blazed to the 2013 driver’s championship in the final season of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, in their No. 10 Corvette DP.

“After winning the championship last year, and with the merger of GRAND-AM and the American Le Mans Series this year, we knew that we would need to elevate our game in a big way if we were to continue competing for championships in the new Tudor United SportsCar Series. Having a business leader such as Konica Minolta come on board as the title sponsor of my organization just made sense.”

The No. 10 Konica Minolta Chevrolet Corvette Dallara Daytona Prototype enters the weekend’s event in Long Beach second in the championship standings after finishes of second and seventh, respectively, at the opening two events — the Rolex 24 At Daytona at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring at Sebring (Fla.) International Raceway.

“The motorsports program is an ideal platform for us to expand our sports marketing efforts while reaching a broader audience,” said Rick Taylor, president and Chief Operating Officer of Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “With this sponsorship, there are clearly a multitude of options available that will help us further the Konica Minolta brand and we are really looking forward to this first event at Long Beach. Wayne and I have worked together in the past, so we know each other well and we look forward to a productive, long-term relationship.”

GEICO have revealed they will sponsor Cody Webb for the 2014 GEICO Motorcycle Endurocross season kicking off on May 2 in Las Vegas.

Webb, a 25-year-old Northern California native, brings his talents on a Beta motorcycle to the team with the hope of bringing the GEICO Endurocross Series to the forefront of peoples’ minds.

“It’s a great feeling to be a part of the GEICO team for 2014,” Webb said. “They have a really professional program in Supercross and Motocross, and I’m sure it will be no different with my team.

“GEICO has been the title sponsor of the Endurocross series for several years and has really raised the profile of the sport. My focus will be to bring as much additional attention to Endurocross and GEICO as possible, and the best way to do that is win races. I’m trying to spark as much interest as possible for the Endurocross series, wherever I race, to help it grow as a whole.”

Off-road racing has been a big part of Webb’s life literally since he was old enough to throw a leg over a motorcycle. Even though he is still early along in his pro career, Webb has found a lot of success because of his natural riding skill.

“I grew up riding in the Trial series where I feel like I really honed my technical skills,” Webb said. “Since then, the past couple of years I have been transferring out of the Trial series and started off-road racing. The end of last year I started putting lot of work into the GEICO Endurocross Series and progressing my career. Thankfully, I came away with my first couple of wins in the series, and that really has me excited about this year.

“Things are really progressing in my career and I have no intention of slowing down anytime soon. In fact, I hope to get my first championship this year with GEICO.”

The Endurocross Series isn’t the only place where Webb will be vying for victories. He also will be trying his luck at the X Games in Austin, Texas, a competition that has brought him success before in the form of two silver and two bronze medals. Webb plans a fairly extensive schedule of one-off races as well.

“I competed in the X Games quite a few times and always really enjoyed it,” Webb said. “With this being my first year with GEICO, we will mainly focus on the Endurocross series and the X Games, but I’m sure I’ll find some other events to race on my off weekends. I just love racing. Hopefully, if everything goes as planned after this season, we can grow into more stuff.

“Being a part of GEICO now, they are such a professional program, I feel like it’s definitely a step in the right direction for me and the sport as a whole. It increases my exposure, and it will bring exposure to the Endurocross series all around the world.”

Korean tyre manufacturer Hankook will be replacing Dunlop as the title sponsor and the exclusive tyre partner of the 24H SERIES, salve a range of endurance race events for GTs, anesthetist touring cars and 24H Specials.

The series will officially be referred to as ‘24H SERIES powered by Hankook’ while the names of the various events will be ‘Hankook 12H ZANDVOORT’, viagra sale ‘Hankook 12H HUNGARY’, ‘Hankook 24H DUBAI’ and ‘Hankook 12H ITALY-MUGELLO’.

“We are very grateful for the support we got from Dunlop over the years. They were instrumental in raising the profile of the various races and the 24H SERIES and we really enjoyed a partnership that has become a friendship”, says Gerrie Willems on behalf of Dutch agency, CREVENTIC, promoters and organisers of the 24H SERIES in co-operation with DNRT (Dutch National Racing Team).

“Sad as we are to see Dunlop go, we are also delighted to have found a great new partner with Hankook. Supplying tyres for all the different cars in our races, from GT3 sports cars to the compact hatchbacks in the touring car classes, is a logistical challenge, but Hankook is perfectly able to handle this. In recent years, Hankook has become widely acknowledged in international motorsport and has built a strong reputation and vast experience in various top-level competition categories. Hankook’s competition department will also be able to provide the teams with their technical support. We are looking forward to a great co-operation and a successful partnership with Hankook for many years to come.”

Manfred Sandbichler, Director Motorsport at Hankook Tire Europe, commented: “As the exclusive tyre partner of the 24H SERIES powered by Hankook, we will contribute to this exciting project with our experience from many years in endurance racing. With our comprehensive line-up of competition tyres that have proven themselves successfully in classic endurance races on many occasions already, for instance at the Nürburgring or at Le Mans, we are perfectly able to meet the requirements of the field of competitors in all its diversity. For all types of circuits, weather conditions and sizes, we can provide them with the best possible tyres. Of course, our experienced competition engineers will assist the teams on site with technical support in all aspects where tyres and set-up are involved.”