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IRL: Shigeaki Hattori, Epson America, Inc. to Form Partnership with Treadway Racing

9 March 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Indianapolis, IN: Treadway Racing and Shigeaki Hattori along with long- time Hattori sponsor Epson America, Inc. have signed a one-year deal for the 2000 Indy Racing Northern Light Series. Hattori and the Treadway crew are moving forward quickly with plans to begin testing this week at the Texas Motor Speedway under the direction of Engineer Mike Colliver, Chief Mechanic Jamie Nanny and two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Arie Luyendyk.

Upon completion of his Rookie Orientation Process (ROP), which will be scheduled following a comprehensive testing program, Hattori will make his IRL debut in a Vertex/Cunningham - Treadway Racing G-Force/ Oldsmobile/ Firestone entry. Hattori, who has multiple years of experience in the motorsports arena, is looking forward to his IRL experience: "I am looking forward to running in the Indy Racing Northern Light Series. The Treadway Racing team is undoubtedly one of the best competitors in the League and together with my business associate Clayton Cunningham, we have a formidable partnership for the 2000 season. I am excited to work with Arie Luyendyk and with his guidance, I am sure that my increasing knowledge of an IRL car will expand my skills and expertise to assure my success on the track."

Scott Cronk, Vice President of Treadway Racing feels that the partnership will form a mutually beneficial relationship for all parties involved.

"We are pleased to be able to bring such a notable driver/sponsor combination into the Indy Racing Northern Light Series. Epson is another strong blue chip sponsor for the series and Shigeaki is a proven winner in Japan and in Indy Lights. We look forward to beginning our test program and a successful season."

Epson is a world leader in digital imaging technology and offers a complete line of printers, scanners, digital cameras, and multi-media projectors. The company is also a leading supplier of point-of-sale (POS) systems and peripherals for the retail market. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Epson America employs over 600 people in North America. EPSON America is the U.S. affiliate of Japan-based Seiko-Epson Corporation.

Over the course of a 21-year career history in motorsports, Hattori has amassed a total of 38 podium finishes including 15 victories. His most recent occurred in 1998 in the Indy Lights Series with Indy Regency Racing when he won the season opener at Miami-leading 64 out of the 67 total laps. It was the first win in the series for a Japanese driver on an oval. Three races later he clinched his second Lights victory at the St. Louis Grand Prix.

From go-karts to open-wheel, Hattori has been a driving force on and off the track. Look for him to be a worthy adversary on the IRL ovals this racing season.

Text provided by Ruthie Culbertson

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