PUMA® Speeds into Global Rallycross
Sportlifestyle brand becomes official sponsor of the Championships and the Subaru PUMA Rallycross Team with drivers Dave Mirra, Bucky Lasek, and Sverre Isachsen
BOSTON, MA – (May 4th, 2012) – Sportslifestyle brand PUMA® announces today its official sponsorship of Global Rallycross Championship and the Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team. As a sponsor, PUMA becomes the official supplier of team and racewear and the exclusive licensing partner to the team for footwear and apparel. PUMA brings a unique design perspective to Subaru’s high-performance cars with one-of-a-kind graphics. PUMA and Subaru’s strong histories in motorsport and the brands’ collective following across sport and lifestyle bring a new energy to Rallycross.
The Subaru PUMA Rallycross Team is the factory-backed rally team for Subaru of America managed by Subaru technical partner Vermont SportsCar. The all-star team consists of BMX legend and professional Rally athlete Dave Mirra; professional skateboarder new to the Rally circuit Bucky Lasek; and defending European RallyCross champion Sverre Isachsen aka “The Viking Warrior”.
To see the team and their new rally cars go to http://youtu.be/YxrXOUCd2Zc
“When I got the news that Subaru and PUMA were joining forces I was instantly pysched,” said Dave Mirra. “I was told my friend Bucky Lasek would be joining me on the Suburu PUMA Rallycross Team and I couldn’t have been more excited. This is huge and no company does it like PUMA, in or out of my STI. GRC had recently announced a six-race season and this news couldn't have come at a better time.”
The team will be competing in 2012 Subaru WRX STI rally cars that have a fresh new look for Rallycross featuring a unique Zombie Cat graphic. PUMA brings a fun and colorful design aesthetic that, when mixed with the adrenaline of the sport, is sure to excite drivers, fans and spectators alike. Mirra, Lasek, and Isachsen will sport official fireproof PUMA racing suits emblazoned with Zombie Cat graphics and a new performance racing shoe called the PRX Subaru. PUMA will be releasing lifestyle footwear, tees and accessories inspired by the team and rally cars beginning in June.
“This sponsorship gives our brand a great opportunity to play within the action sports world in a totally PUMA way,” said Antonio Bertone, Chief Marketing Officer for PUMA.
“Anyone that has experienced this intense sport would understand why PUMA would want to be involved. Working with Subaru aligns PUMA with one of the most successful brands in motorsport and allows us to continue our rich history in this category.”
The Subaru PUMA Rallycross Team will be competing in the six-round 2012 Global Rallycross Championships in venues across the United States including the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and the Summer X Games 18 in Los Angeles. This made-in-the-USA variation on the established European sport of rallycross pits small production-based cars against each other for door-to-door racing featuring dirt, asphalt, and a 70′ gap jump. The Global RallyCross Championship combines the best aspects of circuit racing, off-road racing and rally competition to deliver intense action in a variety of fan-friendly environments.
“The sportlifestyle that PUMA represents is a great fit for Subaru, owners, and motorsport fans”, said Dean Evans, Chief Marketing Officer for Subaru of America, Inc. “We are pleased to align with another global brand, and one that will enhance the image and awareness of our Rallycross team.”
PUMA will have a presence at GRC races throughout the season with a variety of activations. On May 26th the PUMA Social Truck will be rolling onto the Charlotte Motor Speedway - unofficially of course - to give fans a full brand experience. The PUMA Social Truck is basically a social club on wheels. From ping-pong to mini air hockey, the truck has everything you need to celebrate the state of play and the spirit of competition.
For more information about PUMA and PUMA Motorsports, visit www.puma.com/motorsport. Become a fan on www.facebook.com/puma and www.facebook.com/pumamotorsport. Follow PUMA on Twitter at @puma
For additional information about Subaru Rally Team USA visit: www.subaru.com/rally. Become a fan on http://www.facebook.com/subaruofamericaand follow @subaru_usa and @srtusa
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Media Contacts:
Katie Sheptyck, PUMA North America:
Katie.sheptyck@puma.com, office: 978-698-1295
Sean Maynard, Subaru of America, Inc.
Sean.maynard@subiepr.com, office: 248-805-1656
| PUMA |
PUMA is one of the world’s leading Sportlifestyle companies that designs and develops footwear, apparel and accessories. It is committed to working in ways that contribute to the world by supporting Creativity, SAFE Sustainability and Peace, and by staying true to the principles of being Fair, Honest, Positive and Creative in decisions made and actions taken. PUMA starts in Sport and ends in Fashion. Its Sport Performance and Lifestyle labels include categories such as Football, Running, Motorsports, Golf and Sailing. Sport Fashion features collaborations with renowned designer labels such as Alexander McQueen and Mihara Yasuhiro. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf and Tretorn. The company, which was founded in 1948, distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs about 11,000 people worldwide and has headquarters in Herzogenaurach/Germany, Boston, London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit http://www.puma.com
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.
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