Goodyear extends contract

GOODYEAR, STAR MAZDA CHAMPIONSHIP EXTEND DEAL FOR 5 YEARS

AKRON, Ohio (Oct. 21, 2008) -- Goodyear will continue as the exclusive tire provider for the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear, the tiremaker announced. The agreement covers the next five seasons and was made public at the series' championship banquet in Monterey, Calif. over the weekend.

Goodyear supplied the series competitors with Goodyear Eagle radial tires for the first time in 2008 at the request of the competitors and the application proved to be very successful.

"Goodyear is proud of our long-standing relationship with the Rodrigues family and the series they've created with the tremendous support of Mazda North America," said Greg Stucker, Goodyear's director of global race tire sales. "We're happy to announce that Goodyear will continue as the presenting sponsor of the Star Mazda Series."

The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear is the national championship circuit for Star Racing but the sanctioning body also has regional and age group championships around North America. Each car in every series in the program competes on Goodyear radial tires.

The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear has become one of the most popular open wheel, open cockpit tours in North America. It has the distinction of becoming a destination series for some drivers and stepping stone program for others.

"The future of open wheel racing in North America is in good hands with this series," said Bob Shaffer, Goodyear's sales account manager for sports car racing. "We're honored they have made our Goodyear radials their tire of choice."

The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear will open its 2009 campaign during the 12 Hours of Sebring weekend in Florida in March.

-credit: goodyear racing