virgivaughn: Pro Mazda Confirms Sunoco as Official Fuel Supplier

Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires

PALMETTO, Fla. – The Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires is pleased to announce that Sunoco will expand its relationship with the Mazda Road to Indy by becoming its Official Fuel Supplier for the 2013 season and beyond. Sunoco – the Official Fuel Partner of INDYCAR – will now be the Official Fuel Supplier of the full ladder system including the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda and Firestone Indy Lights.

The Pennsylvania company is developing a new fuel for Pro Mazda based upon the same unleaded GTX 260 formula that is used in USF2000 but augmented to cater to the requirements of the series’ Mazda Renesis rotary engines. The powerplant is capable of producing 260 horsepower – providing an additional 90 horsepower over the Mazda MZR used in USF2000 competition. The internationally award-winning engine also powers the Mazda RX-8 passenger car.

“We are excited to welcome Sunoco as our fuel partner and to see this outstanding brand now fueling every step of the Mazda Road to Indy as well as the IZOD IndyCar Series,” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions, the series promoter. “Adding Sunoco to our group of tremendous partners gives our new series an excellent foundation. With the depth of talent already confirmed and more announcements to come, we are in store for some incredible competition and can’t wait for the season to start.”

Sunoco has grown to become one of the most recognizable brands in motorsports since forging its first partnership with Penske Racing and legendary driver Mark Donohue in the 1960s. Sunoco supplies a range of premium racing fuels to more than 500 race tracks and 50 racing series in the United States.

“From my initial meeting in 2011 with the management of the IZOD IndyCar Series, I assured them that a partnership with Sunoco meant more than simply a sticker on the cars in their top two series,” commented Rob Marro, General Manager of Sunoco Race Fuels. “Our desire was to have our industry leading fuel run in every series affiliated with the Mazda Road to Indy. Joining forces in 2013 with Andersen Promotions for USF2000, and now for Pro Mazda, completes a long standing business model whereby Sunoco is committed to being there for drivers when they are starting off their careers, and staying with them when they become the stars of tomorrow in the top series.”

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., Sunoco has been a leader in supplying quality products to consumers and industry for over 120 years. It markets its brand of gasoline through 4,900 retail outlets in 23 states and operates nearly 400 APlus convenience stores. It serves also as the Official Fuel of NASCAR.

“Sunoco’s reach in motorsports is very extensive, and it has proven throughout its relationship with INDYCAR to be a great partner,” saidJason Penix, Director of Grassroots Initiatives for INDYCAR. “We’re very excited to have such a partner now representing every level of the Mazda Road to Indy.”

The 2013 Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires will commence with a March 1/2 visit to the Circuit of the Americas inAustin, Texas, which hosted the hugely successful return of the FIA Formula One World Championship last November. Five weekends will coincide with IZOD IndyCar Series events, while Pro Mazda will also will share track time with the American Le Mans Series, GRAND-AM, USAC and NASCAR Canada during its high-profile, 16-race schedule spread over nine weekends.

About Pro Mazda: The Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires will debut in 2013 as a new series, replacing the Star Mazda Championship which ceased operation in 2012 after 22 years. The series is sanctioned by INDYCAR and owned and operated by Andersen Promotions. It is the second official step on the Mazda Road to Indy ladder system with the series’ champion awarded a scholarship package from Mazda to advance to Firestone Indy Lights competition the following year. For more information, visit www.promazdachampionship.com.

About Mazda: Mazda is the number-one brand for road-racers across North America. Thousands of Mazda powered grassroots racers compete in various classes with the SCCA and NASA highlighted by Spec Miata, the world’s largest spec class with over 2,500 cars built. In 2006 Mazda established the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder to assist racers in moving up through the ranks. In 2010 this was expanded to include the Mazda Road to Indy. Key to Mazda’s success is strategic partnerships with the Skip Barber Racing School and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

MAZDASPEED Motorsports is managed by Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). MNAO is headquartered in Irvine, Calif. and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. Consumer information can be found at www.mazdausa.com with press information at www.mazdausamedia.com. Racers and fans can follow the action on Facebook (Mazdaspeed Motorsports).

Source: Pro Mazda Press Release

About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company: Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: CTB) is a global company with affiliates, subsidiaries and joint ventures that specialize in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of passenger car and light truck tires. The company also has subsidiaries that specialize in medium truck, motorcycle and racing tires. With headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper Tire has manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of companies located in 11 countries around the world. Additional information can be found at www.us.coopertire.com.