World Racing Legend Mario Andretti to Serve as Official Spokesperson for Hawaiian Super Prix; November Event to Offer Unprecedented $10 Million Race Purse

30 April 1999

World Racing Legend Mario Andretti to Serve as Official Spokesperson for Hawaiian Super Prix; November Event to Offer Unprecedented $10 Million Race Purse

    HONOLULU--(BW SportsWire)--April 30, 1999--Mario Andretti, one of the best-known names in racing as winner of 52 Champ Car victories and the only person to be named Driver of the Year in three different decades ('67, '78 and '84), has joined the Championship Auto Racing Teams-sanctioned Hawaiian Super Prix(TM) (HSP) as the inaugural event's official spokesperson, it was announced today by HSP co-founder and chief executive officer Richard Rutherford.
    Joining Andretti in support of the HSP is Carl A. Haas, founder and co-owner of Newman/Haas Racing, under whose banner Andretti drove from 1983 until his retirement in 1994. Michael Andretti, Andretti's son, has kept with his father's tradition by currently driving under the Newman/Haas banner as well.
    "I am frequently ribbed for once saying that my biggest concern during a race is getting bored and falling asleep during countless laps," stated Andretti. "With a $5 million winner's purse and another $5 million to spread around, I am confident that no one will suffer from boredom during the Hawaiian Super Prix. This promises to be the most exciting new event in modern racing and I am honored to serve as its spokesman."
    "Every element of this event -- from its beautiful Hawaiian setting to its select group of participants to its compelling $5 million winner's purse -- has been meticulously designed to create an annual event that will be highly anticipated each year," said Haas. "I am happy that Mario is lending his name and voice to the promotion of the Hawaiian Super Prix."
    With a professional driving career spanning five decades, Mario Andretti is renowned for his longevity and racing versatility. After the Andretti family came to the United States from Italy, Mario began to build his legacy. Among his early victories, he won the Indy Car national championship in 1965, 1966 and 1969; NASCAR's Daytona 500 in 1967; and the Indy 500 in 1969.
    In the late 70s, he focused on Formula One racing, winning a total of 12 events including the World Formula 1 Driving Championship in 1978. Returning to Indy Car racing, he won his fourth championship in 1984. In 1990, 1991 and 1992, Mario, his son Michael and his nephew John, all finished in the top 10. Mario Andretti retired after the 1994 season.
    The first annual Hawaiian Super Prix will take place at the Barbers Point Airport in Oahu for a week-long series of events, Nov. 7-14, 1999, culminating in a two-part race that will bestow an unprecedented $5 million to the winner from an equally historic $10 million race purse. HSP is an invitational event that will draw the top 12 points finishers in the CART FedEx Championship Series season plus four additional invited racers.
    On Saturday, Nov. 13 the three-hour, live event will be broadcast in the United States on Showtime Pay-per-View and internationally in more than 195 countries, offering viewers two race heats set against the "paradise of the Pacific," a star-studded halftime show and a chance for one lucky TV viewer to win $1 million.