CART partners with Detroit Tigers for Grand Prix of Detroit promotion
23 May 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
DETROIT - Championship Auto Racing Teams is teaming up
with
the Detroit Tigers baseball club, IMG Motorsports, Big Kmart and Ford
Racing
for the Tigers' Family Fun Festival Presented by the Tenneco Automotive
Grand Prix of Detroit on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29.
The Tigers will host the Texas Rangers in a 7:05 p.m. EDT contest at the team's new home, Comerica Park, and CART and the Tenneco Automotive Grand Prix of Detroit will play an important role in the fun-filled holiday evening.
Newman/Haas Racing's Christian Fittipaldi, driver of the Number 11 Big Kmart/Route 66 Ford Lola in the FedEx Championship Series, will be the Tigers' special guest for the evening. Fittipaldi will sign autographs for fans from 5:45-6:30 p.m. at the Gate B/Witherell and Adams Street entrance.
Fittipaldi is competing in his sixth season in Champ Cars and earned his first FedEx Championship Series win in 1999 at Road America. The 29-year-old Brazilian native, who currently resides in Key Biscayne, Fla., will also throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of the game.
A special Tenneco Automotive Grand Prix of Detroit display area will also be featured at Comerica Park, at the Gate A/Witherell Street entrance. The area will feature Newman/Haas Champ Cars and interactive racing games for fans to enjoy. The display area will also feature the Kmart Kids Race Against Drugs booth and a show car. The first 2,500 kids to visit the booth will receive a free hat. The Tenneco Automotive Grand Prix of Detroit area will be a key component of the Tigers' Family Fun Festival, which will also feature clowns, face painting and other activities
The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a free Ford Racing 2000 CART FedEx Championship Series poster.
"CART is very excited about working with the Tigers, IMG, Big Kmart and Ford on this special promotion," said Patrick Leahy, Senior Vice President of Marketing for CART. "Fans will get the opportunity to meet one of CART's brightest young stars, have some fun and see a great ball game as well. What more could you ask for on Memorial Day?"
The game will be the first-ever nationally televised contest at Comerica Park, broadcast live on ESPN.
Recorded announcements featuring Fittipaldi promoting the special night will be shown on the Tigers mammoth video scoreboard, the largest in baseball, during upcoming contests at Comerica Park. The event is also being promoted through Big Kmart in-store displays, direct mail announcements and through Detroit-area print, radio and television advertising.
Tickets are still available for the Tigers vs. Rangers game, starting as low as $8. To purchase tickets call 248-25-TIGER.
Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc. (NYSE: MPH) owns, operates and markets the FedEx Championship Series, which, in 2000, is 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 Ron Richards
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos
and art, visit
The Racing
Photo Museum and the
Visions
of Speed Art Gallery.