Pirelli Tire North America has been selected by Competent Motorsport, LLC as the official tire supplier and title sponsor for the 2009 and 2010 Drivers Cup USA.  The Pirelli Drivers Cup USA is the premier focal point of Porsche Club racing in the United States, featuring Porsche 997 and 996 GT3 Cup Cars with drivers from the Porsche Owner’s Club (POC), Porsche Club of America (PCA), Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), Historic Sportscar Racing, Ltd. (HSR) and the National Auto Sport Association (NASA).  PTNA Motorsport will supply drivers in the series with P Zero Racing Slicks as well as racing rain tires.  The tires for the series will be manufactured at Pirelli’s new Motorsport manufacturing facility in Turkey.

The Drivers Cup USA series was founded by Competent Motorsport, LLC, creating an environment where participant drivers can take part in one, some or all three-day racing/education programs at racetracks throughout the US. The events offer drivers coaching and racing strategy sessions, ample practice time and sprint races. Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) works with Competent Motorsport to provide mentoring, parts support and technical support to the series, something not available at any other Porsche Club-level event. The series provides a transitional opportunity to both the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge and the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car GT Series.

“Pirelli Tire North America is proud to be the exclusive tire supplier for the newly-named Pirelli Drivers Cup USA,” said Rafael Navarro, Pirelli Tire North America’s Director of Motorsport and Media Communications. “Pirelli Drivers Cup USA gives drivers the opportunity to receive professional instruction in Motorsport racing and to use those skills competitively on the track. At the same time, it helps drivers, teams and fans develop a strong, positive relationship with the Pirelli brand. This is an exciting time for PTNA Motorsport, as we continue our strategy of growth and development and are now partnered with some of the most important series in North America, including the VW TDI Cup, Ferrari Challenge, WRC, Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and now Pirelli Drivers Cup USA.”

“The Pirelli Drivers Cup USA is the premier American racing series focusing on both education and coaching – making its participants competent drivers at all levels,” said Greg Franz, Executive Director of Drivers Cup USA. “Drivers get to race their own Porsche GT3 996 and 997 Cup Cars during several three day weekends throughout the year in an enjoyable atmosphere with one-on-one professional coaching and direct help from the Cup’s technical partners. This unique blend of racing and education produces drivers that enjoy their on-track experience with competence.”

Pirelli Tire North America designs, develops, manufactures and markets tires for passenger vehicles in both the original equipment and replacement markets as well as markets and distributes tires for motorcycles and motorsports. Located in Rome, Georgia, Pirelli’s Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) employs state-of-the-art technology to manufacture tires for both export and domestic markets.

ROME, GEORGIA. – Pirelli  has been named the official tire supplier for the 2009-2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, the first zero carbon racing series in the world.  An innovative approach to motorsports, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup was founded in 2008 and is comprised of 30 factory-prepared and managed 2009 clean-diesel Jetta TDIs piloted by relatively unknown talented drivers aged 16 to 26. Volkswagen’s goal is to find drivers with the most talent and help them break into the world of professional motorsports.

The concept of the Jetta TDI Cup is as revolutionary as the cars raced, and each is powered by a 2.0- liter four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine. The 2009 Jetta TDI clean diesel that the race car is based on was awarded the 2009 Green Car of the Year award by Green Car Journal.  In addition, Volkswagen has partnered with Carbonfund.org to certify the entire race series as carbon free, highlighting VW’s dedication to keeping our environment clean and carbon free – a dedication shared by Pirelli. 

Pirelli’s  participation  in the Jetta TDI Cup is an important component in the continuation of the Pirelli Group’s goal of creating more “eco-compatible” products, supporting more “green” projects and taking an active role in responsible eco-education through this series and through collaboration between Pirelli’s Silvio Tronchetti Provera Foundation and the universities and companies it partners with.

“Pirelli is very excited to be the exclusive tire supplier to the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, the world’s only carbon-free racing series,” said Rafael Navarro, Pirelli Tire North America’s Director of Motorsport and Media Communications.  “This series is a very important part of our Motorsport growth in North America as it provides a platform to introduce young developing talent to our brand while reducing the impact motorsport has on the environment. Having the ability to support young talent in their progression in racing is one of the hallmarks of over a century of Pirelli Motorsport Heritage.”

“The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup schedule would be a true test of skill for any driver, let alone 30 young newcomers,” Volkswagen of America Motorsport Manager Clark Campbell said. “With the Jetta TDI Cup, we are preparing drivers for a career in motorsports and the 2009 schedule will be an impressive resume builder for them. I’m looking forward to seeing our clean diesel Jetta TDIs on the track with Pirelli tires and in front of racing fans across North America.”

Pirelli Tire North America designs, develops, manufactures and markets tires for passenger vehicles in both the original equipment and replacement markets as well as markets and distributes tires for motorcycles and motorsports. Located in Rome, Georgia, Pirelli’s Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) employs state-of-the-art technology to manufacture tires for both export and domestic markets.  For more information please visit www.us.pirelli.com.

Pirelli was honored as the “Best Tire Manufacturer of the Year” at this year’s China Auto Service Golden Finger Awards, one of the most influential awards in the auto industry.  By integrating the opinions from industry experts, magazine readers, and web users, Pirelli won the award for its long-term commitment to provide passionate driving experiences through its stable of innovative high-performance products.

Jointly presented by Auto Driving & Service Magazine (one of the authoritative automotive magazines in China) and the Sohu Auto Channel, the China Auto Service Golden Finger Awards and Golden Wrench Awards are among the most influential and well-known annual distinctions in the auto industry.

Winning “Best Tire Manufacturer of the Year” at the China Auto Golden Finger Awards is recognition of Pirelli’s position as a leader in the automotive industry, and confirms product satisfaction and brand reputation in both the consumer market and motoring/technical press is second to none.

For over 130 years, Pirelli has been committed to providing its consumers with technologically advanced products that are developed with performance, safety and quality in mind.  The continuous pursuit of innovative technologies and high-performance products help cement Pirelli’s status as Original Equipment on the World’s Finest.

Since 2005, Pirelli has maintained an industrial presence in China, operating a factory that employs approximately 2.000 people. Pirelli’s stable development in China is a product of its continuous innovation and dedication to quality and technology.  Pirelli’s efforts in manufacturing and sales have already made it a local market leader in the sale of high performance tires. As one of the seven Pirelli Research & Development centers around the world, the Pirelli China R&D center focuses on the industrialization and development of products according to the latest Chinese Market standards and requirements.

During the award ceremony, Mr. S. Ranghieri, Marketing & Retailing Director of Pirelli China said, “Winning this award is the recognition of our current hard work in China: it is dedicated to all the 2.000 Chinese employees. In the coming years, Pirelli will continue to invest in product development and technology innovation to make the Chinese industrial facilities the biggest PCR Pirelli production center for China, Asia and Australian markets.”

Pirelli Tire North America designs, develops, manufactures and markets tires for passenger vehicles in both the original equipment and replacement markets as well as markets and distributes tires for motorcycles and motorsports. Located in Rome, Georgia, Pirelli’s Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) employs state-of-the-art technology to manufacture tires for both export and domestic markets.  For more information please visit www.us.pirelli.com.