VIZIO and Hulu Plus Join as Debut Corporate Sponsors
TRG-AMR North America today confirms that it will enter and support yet another sports car series with its new Aston Martin lineup. Starting this week in Long Beach, not one, but two Aston Martin Vantage GT4s will be on the grid for the Pirelli World Challenge with full partner support from VIZIO and Hulu Plus.
TRG-AMR announced its entries today into one of the most competitive and intense series in motorsport. The sprint race dynamic will be an exciting change from the standard endurance races in which TRG has established a winning pedigree.
By joining the highly competitive field in the Pirelli World Challenge in the GTS class, TRG-AMR is now committed to compete and support teams in all four North American sports car series. It plans to run the V12 Vantage GT3 later this year in both the Rolex GRAND-AM series and the Pirelli World Challenge. It currently runs in the GRAND-AM Continental Sports Car Challenge with the GT4 and hopes to launch an American Le Mans Series effort in the Vantage GTE before the end of the season.
Not only is TRG-AMR bringing two new cars to the series, but with it comes new sponsors in the form of VIZIO and Hulu Plus. VIZIO, America’s #1 Large Size HDTV company1, is committed to delivering the best entertainment experience with its full range of consumer electronics that combine innovative technology with clean and modern design, backed by an award-winning U.S.-based customer support team that has made VIZIO a fan favorite. Hulu Plus offers current season and classic TV shows such as Family Guy, Modern Family, The Colbert Report, Saturday Night Live, and Community and hundreds more through connected devices, including internet-connected VIZIO HDTVs and Blu-ray players, for $7.99 per month.
At Long Beach, the HP No. 27 car will be driven by 2009 GT Champion Brandon Davis, who looks to make a big statement on behalf of the team and is expected to compete for a podium. Davis, a two-time winner at Long Beach, knows the track well after attending races as a child, and has raced there four times.
The VIZIO/Hulu Plus No. 26 Vantage GT4 will be piloted by veteran driver Damien Faulkner. The noted Irishman, who most recently put in a heroic effort in the TRG Porsche at the 12 Hours of Sebring, will be doing double-duty at Long Beach. On Saturday he’ll be co-driving in the ALMS race with driver Ben Keating, then Sunday dedicates his focus to the Aston Martin for the first time this year.
Team Owner Kevin Buckler on the World Challenge debut:
“This is an exciting milestone for TRG-AMR North America. The Pirelli World Challenge is a fantastic series with multiple marques and a terrific schedule. We worked closely with the series in getting both our GT4 and our GT3 Aston Martin Vantages homologated to race here and now that that is done–let’s go racing! I’ve been very impressed with all of our dealings with the series and everybody involved in the management team, and I know this new partnership with Pirelli World Challenge and our Aston Martin racing programs are going to be strong. We are already talking to several teams about new cars for the series. Very exciting times!”
Brandon Davis on driving at Long Beach:
“I have a decent amount of experience at Long Beach, and it’s been a strong track for me. I’ve run there four times and won twice. Also, there is a sentimental value since I’ve attended the race many times as a kid with my father.”
Faulkner on the competitive field in PWC:
“World Challenge is a new series for me but a quick look from the outside and you will see some fantastic names in there so I imagine the competition will be very tough. It’s hard to know how we will fair out, but we’re serious about racing so I will be giving it my best. At the moment this is a one-off race for me, but it will be nice to register my name with the series.”
Davis on being a part of the TRG-AMR debut at Long Beach:
“Being part of the debut is extremely exciting. I have always been aware of the prestigious Aston Martin and TRG brands and it’s really an honor to be part of this event.”
VIZIO Chief Technology Officer Matt McRae on the partnership with TRG-AMR:
“VIZIO is committed to innovation, performance and leading technology in the consumer electronics space and are excited to partner with Aston Martin Racing as they bring those principles to the track. We wish Faulkner the best of luck as he navigates the streets of Long Beach in the No. 26 VIZIO/Hulu Plus Vantage GT4.”
1Source: The NPD Group’s Retail Tracking Service based on units sold November 2012 – 60”+ Flat Panel HDTVs.