DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Officials from Tully’s Coffee and the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) jointly announced a multi-year agreement making Tully’s the Official Coffee of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship and a Proud Partner of IMSA.
The partnership was announced at Daytona International Speedway on the opening day of the annual “Roar Before the Rolex 24” test.
“It is our pleasure to welcome Tully’s Coffee into IMSA and the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship through this official partnership,” said Scott Atherton, IMSA president and chief operating officer.
“It is always gratifying when a company looks to our form of motorsport as a vehicle to help grow its brand, and we believe this partnership will be mutually beneficial.
As a native of Seattle, I have been familiar with Tully’s Coffee – and how good it is – for many years, and with this marketing partnership, we look forward to introducing Tully’s to sports car fans across North America.
We know Tully’s Coffee will be in high demand at our events, especially given the long hours demanded of everybody involved in the sport of endurance sports car racing.”
Tully’s Coffee, which is headquartered in Seattle, is also the primary sponsor of the No. 81 GB Autosport Porsche 911 GT America. The No. 81 GT Daytona (GTD) entry in the 52nd Rolex 24 At Daytona, which opens the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship on Jan. 25-26, includes well-known Porsche drivers Damien Faulkner, Patrick Huisman and Bob Faieta.
“Tully’s could not be more enthusiastic about its association with IMSA and the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship,” said Teresa Muehlenkamp, Tully’s Vice President of Marketing.
“The TUDOR championship is quickly shaping up to be one of the premier race series in the world and we are honored to count ourselves as a Proud Partner of IMSA. This partnership allows us to continue our focus on new, high-energy markets. We look forward to serving our premium coffees to race fans throughout North America.”
Tully’s Coffee is no stranger to North American endurance racing. Tully’s Coffee was the primary sponsor on a pair of GT Challenge (GTC) entries in the 2012 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón, highlighted by a GTC class pole position at the season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida and a runner-up result in the American Le Mans Monterey at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Tully’s Coffee also will be a prominently featured element of the TUDOR Paddock Club for VIP guests. The dedicated space will feature a fully staffed coffee bar and Tully’s baristas.
The 2014 TUDOR Championship opens at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. with the 52nd Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 25-26, 2014.
About IMSA
The International Motor Sports Association, LLC (IMSA) is the sanctioning body of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, the road-racing series resulting from the merger of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón and the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series.
IMSA also sanctions two developmental series, the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and the Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Powered by Mazda, as well as four single-make series: Porsche GT3 Cup USA by Yokohama; Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Canada by Michelin; Ferrari Challenge North America; and Lamborghini Super Trofeo.
IMSA is the exclusive strategic partner in North America with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) which operates the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a part of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The partnership enables selected United SportsCar competitors to earn automatic entries into the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Source: press release
