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Carlisle Companies, Inc. joins as the primary sponsor for CRP Racing to run Ron Fellows in the 2010 World Challenge GT Championship Season.

RON FELLOWS AND CRP RACING

Harrisburg, NC - CRP Racing is pleased to announce that seasoned road-course racer Ron Fellows will be driving its No. “2″ C6 Chevrolet Corvette in the 2010 SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge GT Season.

RON FELLOWS

A longtime sports car and road-racing veteran, Fellows is credited with three class championships in the American Le Mans Series, two class wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and 19 overall victories in the Sports Car Club of America’s Trans-Am Series as a member of the Corvette Racing Team.

Fellows made 14 World Challenge GT starts between 2004 and 2007, earning three wins (Mosport in 2004, Mosport in 2005, and Long Beach in 2006) and seven podium finishes. Fellows also was fastest qualifier three times.

CRP Racing owner, Nicholas Short, is excited to have a driver of Ron Fellows’ caliber join the team. Says Short: “I’ve known Ron since the Trans-Am days and when the opportunity arose to have him drive for us, it was a very easy decision. I couldn’t be happier having him join CRP Racing.”

Also joining the CRP Racing Team is primary sponsor Carlisle Companies, Inc. which is a diversified global manufacturing company serving industries ranging from foodservice to aerospace to specialty trailers to construction materials to specialty tires and wheels. Carlisle will use the opportunity to promote their Cragar, Black Rock™ & ITP™ wheel brands and ITP™ Off-Road and Carlisle trailer tire brands. In the past, Carlisle has been involved in off-road racing with its ITP™ and Black Rock™ brands. Cars equipped with ITP™ tires earned class wins at the 2009 Baja 500 and 1000 off-road races. David Roberts, Chairman, President and CEO of Carlisle Companies, Inc., said: “Carlisle is headquartered in the heart of racing country, Charlotte, NC. We manufacture tires, wheels and power transmission belts used in some of the toughest racing environments. Our sponsorship of cars in last year’s Baja 500 and 1000 races were successful as class wins were achieved by cars using ITP™ tires and wheels. Partnering with CRP and Ron Fellows is an extension of our commitment to the performance and motorsports industry. Our Cragar wheel brand was the wheel of choice by many of the top names in motorsports in the past and we look forward to rekindling that preference. Cragar branded products continue to be a favorite with hot rod and muscle car enthusiasts. The introduction of the Black Rock™ brand for the off-road enthusiast has been extremely successful and we want to continue that success. I think the association with CRP Racing will allow us to accomplish our goals. In addition, many of our employees are racing enthusiasts and successful amateur racers. Sponsoring CRP Racing is a natural fit for us and allows our products and people to be involved in motorsports.”

With the support of Carlisle Companies, Inc. and the talent and skill of driver Ron Fellows, CRP Racing looks forward to running a highly competitive race team in the World Challenge GT Series this season.

News release: competitionraceparts.com

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The Trans-Am Series is being resurected after being absent for two years. SCCA Trans-Am Series will return in 2009. Eight races are planned for next year. Five of eight races were announced Dec. 11 at the Performance Racing Industry show, in Orlando, Fla. The series will be sponsored by Muscle Milk.

The Trans-Am Series had been a staple in North American racing since its debut in 1966. Many racing legends such as Paul Gentilozzi, Tommy Kendall, Mark Donohue, Scott Pruett, Wally Dallenbach Jr., George Follmer, Peter Gregg, Horst Kwech, Boris Said, Scott Sharp and Bob Tullius, amongst others raced in Trans-Am.

Here are the 5 set dates scheduled so far for 2009:

Mar 21-22  Road Atlanta,Braselton, Ga.

Apr 17-19  VIRginia International Raceway,Alton,Va.

May 15-17  Mosport International Raceway, Canada

Jun 12-14  Portland International Raceway,Portland,Ore.

Jul 11-12  Watkins Glen Int'l,Watkins Glen,N.Y.

Good to see them back.

Besides a great acting career and a life of working for and giving to many charities, Paul Newman was also a talented race car driver and winning race team owner. Paul died at his home in Westport, Connecticut on Friday September 26, 2008, surrounded by friends and family. He lost his long battle with cancer at age 83.

Newman got the racing bug while filming the 1968 motion picture “Winning”, where he portrayed an Indianapolis 500 driver.

He had many success as a race car driver. 1972 was the year of his first win at Thompson, Connecticut in a Lotus Elan. In 1977 he came in fitfh at the 24 Hours of Daytona. By 1979 he co-drove a Porsche 935 to in the 24 Hours of LeMans and came in second.

During the 1970’s and 80’s Newman earned several SCCA National driving titles. At the age of 70 in 1995 he co-drove to victory in the IMSA GTS class at the 24 Hours of Daytona. He also raced in the Trans-Am and Can Am series.

In 1982 with his long time Can Am Series rival Carl Haas, he formed Newman/Haas Racing, which resulted in many championships in the IndyCar and Champ Car series.

Paul Newman is survived by his wife Joanne Woodward, five daughters, two grandsons, and his older brother, Arthur. Newman also had a son Scott, who died in 1978. He will be missed.