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Chevrolet ends motorcycle racing sponsorships
AMA Pro Racing announced today that Chevrolet will not return
as title sponsor of the AMA Motocross Championship or the AMA
Superbike Championship in 2005.
Chevrolet
has been title sponsor of both championship series since 2000.
The strategy originally was to support Chevy’s truck division
then was expanded at the beginning of the 2004 racing season
to include Chevrolet’s entire model line-up.
“Chevrolet
has been a tremendous partner with us for the last five years
and we sincerely appreciate that support,” said John Farris,
AMA Pro Racing Vice President of Commercial Development. “Obviously
we’d prefer that they were staying but we respect the
business decision they have made. We are already proactively
working on developing new sponsorship packages with other companies.
Additionally, the door remains open for Chevrolet to return
to AMA racing.”
Farris
added that the relationship has been beneficial for Chevrolet,
also. “Chevy’s focus has shifted away from sponsorships,
also known as ‘affinity marketing’ and more towards
a traditional advertising and promotional effort. We, along
with a number of other companies, have been affected by that
change in marketing direction. Based on their prior approach,
sponsorship of our championships met their objectives.”
Farris
also said that AMA Pro Racing was prepared for Chevrolet’s
decision. “Chevrolet informed us of their plans approximately
30 days in advance of their contractual obligation to do so
which has been helpful to us,” said Farris.
“Also,
recognizing that their contracts expired at the end of the 2004
racing season -- and the possibility existed that they wouldn’t
return -- we had begun preliminary conversations with other
companies that have expressed interest in supporting AMA racing
in some fashion. Those conversations are continuing and we’re
optimistic about the outcome.”
AMA
Pro Racing maintains a commercial development staff specifically
tasked with developing and maintaining sponsor relationships.
©
2004, American Motorcyclist Association
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