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CART: A.D. Sutton & Sons announce licensing agreement for specialized items

25 February 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
DETROIT - CART Licensed Products, the licensing and merchandising division of Championship Auto Racing Teams, has reached agreement with A.D. Sutton & Sons. The New York City-based manufacturer will create a variety of bags and other items that use the marks of CART, its teams and drivers.

The announcement was made by Dean Running, Licensing Director of CLP. "The licensing of these products is another step in CART's plans to reach out to race fans everywhere with high quality items," said Running, and we are proud to have A.D. Sutton as part of the growing list of CART licensees. "The team at A.D. Sutton creates many interesting designs and products that will provide consumers with a variety of new products."

The non-exclusive retail licensing agreement, which runs through 2001, allows A.D. Sutton to offer its merchandise to retailers in the United States and Canada through various channels of distribution, such as mass, mid-tier, at-track concessions, and e-commerce outlets.

"We are looking forward to working with CART and being able to utilize the CART teams and drivers," said Steve Sutton, Executive Vice President of A.D. Sutton. "We see this arrangement as a good opportunity for us and for fans who want high-quality, innovative CART-identified merchandise."

A.D. Sutton will produce backpacks, mini backpacks, insulated lunchbags, duffle bags, tote bags, luggage bags, wallets and other small leather goods as part of its agreement.

AD Sutton is the premiere manufacturer and distributor of licensed sport and travel bags in the country. Their products are marketed towards men, women, boys and girls. In business since 1909, the company is known throughout the industry for offering "high value" products at competitive price points, and for their superior merchandising and creative strengths.

Established in 1996 and headquartered in Atlanta, CART Licensed Products, Inc., is the official retail licensing and merchandising division of Championship Auto Racing Teams. CART Licensed Products is the exclusive worldwide licensor of the CART and FedEx Championship Series brands. CART Licensed Products also grants non-exclusive retail licenses for the images of teams and drivers of the FedEx Championship Series.

Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc. owns, operates and markets the FedEx Championship Series, which, in 1999, was comprised of 20 races in five countries on four continents. Champions Juan Montoya, Michael Andretti and Jimmy Vasser are among the drivers who battle for the series title on oval circuits as well as temporary and permanent road courses. CART also owns and operates its top two development series -- the Dayton Indy Lights Championship and the Toyota Atlantic Championship. Learn more about CART's open-wheel racing series at www.cart.com.

Text provided by CART

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.