Tyre company Firestone has extended its long-running association with North American motor-racing series IndyCar.
The new multi-year deal was struck by Bridgestone, Firestone’s parent company. Firestone will continue to serve as the official tyre supplier of the IndyCar series as part of the extended deal.
During the upcoming 2017 season, Firestone will sponsor race events and take part in on-site fan engagement initiatives via the Indycar Fan Village. A national advertising campaign spanning television, radio, print and digital media outlets will also be launched.
This season, IndyCar and Firestone have added to the overall tyre allotment at each event to increase the amount of on-track activity during practice sessions. Teams will also be permitted to run one set of alternate Firestone Firehawk tyres during Friday practice sessions at all road or street courses to allow for better strategy evaluation.
“Firestone is part of the fabric of IndyCar and its commitment to evolving performance, innovation and safety in the Verizon IndyCar Series has been remarkable,” Jay Frye, IndyCar president of competition and operation, said. “The Firestone brand has been part of our sport for more than 100 years and continues to be an integral partner in the growth of IndyCar on and off the racetrack.”
Lisa Boggs, director of motorsports for Bridgestone Americas, added: “This partnership is integral to our marketing initiatives as it allows us to engage with fans via the unique, multi-faceted platform that the Verizon IndyCar Series provides, and we look forward to building upon the brand’s time-tested racing legacy.”
Firestone, which returned to Indy car racing in 1995 following a 20-year hiatus, has been the sole supplier of IndyCar Series tyres since 2000. The new season begins on March 12 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in Florida.