CAMP JEEP® MAKES ITS GEORGIA DEBUT AT THE 2014 ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

Exhibit to Feature All-new 2015 Chrysler 200, Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, Chrysler Drive Test Track and More

• Camp Jeep® debuts at the Atlanta auto show featuring its new articulated obstacle, the “Trail Rated Pass”
• 

  All-new 2015 Chrysler 200

  All-new 2015 Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan makes Georgia debut

• Dodge brand shakes up the Atlanta auto show with the 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker
• Ram Truck brand display features award-winning 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel with best-in-class 28 mpg fuel economy, 2014 Ram ProMaster and 2014 Ram 2500 6.4-liter HEMI® V-8
• The SRT (Street and Racing Technology) brand shows off its flagship performance machine – the 640 horsepower 2014 SRT Viper GTS
• The 2014 Fiat 500L, featured in the new “Mirage” global advertising campaign (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBtVOmhnw-k), showcases its roominess at the Atlanta auto show
• The Chrysler Drive outdoor test track features all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee, plus other popular vehicles from Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT
• Show attendees can enter the 2014 Chrysler Group National Giveaway for a chance to win $45,000 towards any eligible Chrysler Group vehicle

Atlanta, GA – March 26, 2014 – Chrysler Group LLC kicks off Georgia’s spring season with the introduction of Camp Jeep®  and its newest models at the 32nd annual Atlanta International Auto Show.

Show attendees will be inspired by Camp Jeep’s unique off-road experience plus the exciting lineup of new vehicles found in this year’s Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, FIAT and SRT brand displays. The auto show runs March 26-30 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

“After a tough Atlanta winter, Camp Jeep is just what the car doctor ordered for pure off-road fun,” said David Englen, Director – Southeast Business Center, Chrysler Group LLC. “Camp Jeep offers consumers a chance to experience the extreme off-road capabilities of Jeep vehicles and is guaranteed to thrill every Camp Jeep rider.”

In addition to Camp Jeep, other show highlights include the Atlanta debut of the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan, the all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee, the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, the 2014 SRT Viper GTS and the 2014 Fiat 500L. Outside the auto show, and next to the Georgia Dome, consumers will enjoy the Chrysler Drive ride-and-drive experience featuring vehicles from the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT brands. Visitors to Camp Jeep and the Chrysler Drive can enter the 2014 National Giveaway for a chance to win $45,000 toward the purchase of any eligible Chrysler Group vehicle.

Camp Jeep

Auto show attendees are invited to experience the Atlanta debut of Camp Jeep, the trail-rated test track featuring the all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The fan-favorite track has an all-new obstacle for 2014: the Trail Rated Pass! Camp Jeep is a thrilling five-minute interactive adventure zone that pairs professional 4×4 drivers with riders. Passengers can experience the full capabilities of Jeep models, including the Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Jeep Grand Cherokee, as drivers demonstrate how to drive safely on off-road terrain. Guests sit right beside the professional driver and climb the eye-catching 14-foot high, 35-degree Jeep Mountain, the highlight of the ride and display. A DJ will be onsite during the Camp Jeep experience, adding a music element to the space.

All-new 2015 Chrysler 200

Exquisite style meets exceptional performance in the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200. The Chrysler 200 leapfrogs expectations for a mid-size car with an elegant exterior design, a thoughtful and beautifully crafted interior providing an exceptional driving experience complements of a segment-first nine-speed automatic transmission and an all-new chassis. With estimated highway fuel economy of 35 miles per gallon; the most available safety and security features in the segment with 60; an available, best-in-class all-wheel drive system; easy-to-use, state-of-the-art technology and a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of just $21,700, the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 is a car that customers will be proud to own and at a price they will appreciate. The 2015 Chrysler 200 is designed, engineered and built with pride in Michigan.

2014 Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker Model

Dodge will make a splash in Atlanta with the popular throw-back 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker model. The new 2014 R/T Shaker model features unique throw-back muscle car cues that link directly to the Dodge brand’s performance legacy. And like the original 1970 Challenger R/T with the Shaker hood, the new 2014 model continues the Dodge tradition of an engine-mounted hood scoop that “shakes” with the powertrain’s movement.

Ram Trucks

Among the many Ram trucks on display will be the 28 mpg 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, named Motor Trend “Truck of the Year.”  For those who need even bigger trucks, the 2014 Ram 2500 with an all-new 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 will be on the show floor along with the Ram ProMaster — the latest entry into the full-size cargo van segment from the Ram Truck brand.

2014 Fiat 500L

The FIAT brand display will include the 2014 Fiat 500L, the focus of the new global advertising campaign “Mirage” that introduces the new Fiat 500L tagline, “Unbelievably Big.” Expanding on the style, efficiency and driving enjoyment that has made the Fiat 500 an icon for more than 55 years, the all-new 2014 Fiat 500L expands the Cinquecento’s appeal by offering 42 percent extra interior space with comfortable seating for five, engaging driving dynamics, a 160-horsepower 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine and two fuel-saving, six-speed transmission offerings, all wrapped in contemporary Italian design.

2014 SRT Viper GTS

Leaving Dodge behind in 2013, the Viper is now part of the SRT brand which stands for Street and Racing Technology. The 640 horsepower 2014 SRT Viper GTS will wow the crowd at the Atlanta auto show with more power and performance, superior craftsmanship, new technologies and creature comforts.

The Chrysler Drive

The Chrysler Drive experience provides an entertaining atmosphere and opportunity for anyone looking to feel the plush leather and get behind the wheel of a wide range of Chrysler Group vehicles and drive the local streets of Atlanta. Auto show attendees who register for the 10-minute test-drive will get the chance to drive and evaluate the latest models across the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT brands in a no-pressure, no-hassle environment.

 

 

 

KIA RACING ANNOUNCES DRIVER LINE-UP FOR 2014 PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE SEASON

Nic Jönsson and Mark Wilkins To Pilot Grand Touring Sport (GTS) Class No. 36 and No. 38 Turbocharged Optimas In Kia’s Third Season of Pirelli World Challenge Competition

Nic Jönsson and Mark Wilkins

Irvine, Calif., March 23, 2014 – Coming off an impressive sophomore season in which Kia finished second in the Manufacturer’s Championship and Kia Racing pilot Mark Wilkins took third in the Driver standings, Kia Motors America (KMA) and its racing partner Kinetic Motorsports today announced their driver line-up for the 2014 Pirelli World Challenge (PWC) season.  Veteran Nic Jönsson, who scored Kia’s first professional road racing championship in the 2011 Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, returns to pilot the No. 36 DonorsChoose.org Optima turbo, while Canadian Wilkins retains his seat in the No. 38 B.R.A.K.E.S. Optima turbo after a phenomenal season in 2013 in which he claimed six podiums, including two victories, for Kia Racing.  After narrowly missing the Driver championship in 2013, Wilkins, Jönsson, and the Kia Racing team are eager to get back on track March 29 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

“The Kia Racing team has exceeded our expectations in the Pirelli World Challenge after two solid seasons of intense competition, posting four wins and 12 podiums in that time,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of sales and marketing, KMA.  “We had a promising run last year and came close to winning the championship in the season finale.  Nic, Mark and the entire Kia Racing team are outstanding brand ambassadors, helping us to demonstrate the quality, reliability and performance of our U.S.-built Optimas.  We’re very glad to have both drivers back with us again and anxious to build on our strong results and have another shot at the title in 2014.”

The Kia Racing drivers followed two very different paths during the 2013 season.  Wilkins catapulted to the top of the standings, scoring six podiums, including wins at Detroit and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.  He also enjoyed 100 percent reliability, suffering zero DNFs during the 14-race season.  That consistent performance for Wilkins’ No. 38 B.R.A.K.E.S. Optima turbo nearly captured the young Kia Racing program its second professional motorsports championship.  But Wilkins’ late-race charge on a wet-but-drying street circuit at the season finale in Houston last fall came up just short.  Jönsson, meanwhile, struggled with tough racing luck throughout the demanding schedule.  Nevertheless, the quick Swede managed to set fast laps and gain much-needed manufacturer points in the No. 36 DonorsChoose.org Optima turbo.

“After the success we had in our first two seasons, I’m thrilled to be back behind of the wheel of the turbocharged Optima for 2014,” said Wilkins.  “We’ve shown improvement each year in the Pirelli World Challenge, and the development of the Optima turbo by Kinetic Motorsports has proven to be impressive; our car is ultra-competitive at all tracks we visit.  Having missed the championship last year by only a few points, I can’t wait to get back on track and start racing again.”

Kia Racing kicks off the 2014 PWC with a doubleheader weekend for rounds 1-2 in St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 29-30.  Race fans can watch live coverage of the races online at www.world-challengetv.com and catch the latest news and updates from the Kia Racing Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kiaracing or follow the team on Twitter: @KiaRacing.

 

 

 

TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY STAFF TEACHES IN BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS AS PART OF LOCAL JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM

TALLADEGA, AL – March 13, 2014 – Several Talladega Superspeedway staff members entered Birmingham area elementary schools last week to teach students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

Talladega Superspeedway pace car sits out front of Vestavia Hills Elementary School in Birmingham, AL.

The staff members will be in front of their classes for the next couple of weeks teaching from lessons provided by Junior Achievement of Greater Birmingham, a non-profit group that allows volunteers from the business community to deliver a curriculum while sharing their personal and professional experiences and skills with students.

Talladega Superspeedway is providing volunteers at Rocky Ridge Elementary School, Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights and Vincent Elementary School, reaching a total of 645 students in 34 classrooms. As volunteers, Talladega staff are helping students make the connection between what they are learning in school and what they will need to succeed in work and life.

“Our staff has had a wonderful time teaching important lessons to our country’s future leaders,” said Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch. “It’s crucial for these students to hear firsthand knowledge of the way business works in their community, and we’re happy to be there to give them guidance.”

To promote Talladega’s family-friendly atmosphere, the track has unveiled historic frontstretch ticket prices in 2014 for kids 12 and under. Kids can sit for free in some areas of the grandstands and receive $50 off regular pricing for all other areas of the grandstands.

NASCAR returns to Talladega Superspeedway in 2014 with the Aaron’s Dream Weekend, which is set for May 2-4. The NASCAR Nationwide Series and ARCA Racing Series will take to the track on Saturday, May 3 while NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series machines take the green flag on Sunday, May 4. For ticket information, log onto www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.

 

 

LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY TEST ENHANCES INTERMEDIATE TRACK RULES PACKAGE

Kobalt 400 to Feature Newly Introduced Aerodynamic and Chassis Changes

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Mar. 07, 2014 – Forty-eight drivers from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series turned laps at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Thursday to further build upon the 2014 intermediate-track rules package that was formalized late last year.

Serving as the first official NASCAR test with the new 2014 rules package in place, today’s four-hour session allowed teams to prepare for Sunday’s Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway – the series’ first visit to a 1.5-mile track in 2014 – and beyond.

Included in the new intermediate track rules package are various physical changes to the car that were determined after much collaboration between NASCAR, the teams and the manufacturers. Based in part on two lengthy test sessions at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October and December, NASCAR implemented chassis and aerodynamic adjustments into the setup specifications to encourage more green-flag passing and side-by-side racing. Changes to the package include statically setting the race car ride height, a square leading edge on the splitter, side skirt and rear fascia adjustments and an eight-inch rear spoiler. A 43-inch by 13-inch radiator pan rounded out changes for 2014.

Gene Stefanyshyn, NASCAR vice president of innovation and racing development

Fresh off his win at Phoenix International Raceway last Sunday, Kevin Harvick was at the top of the speed charts at the conclusion of yesterday’s test session. The No. 4 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet logged a total of 42 laps with a top speed of 190.148 mph.

“We were three or four tenths off [at the start of the test] and had to kind of abort on what we were doing and go a different route,” said Kevin Harvick, who won last week’s race at Phoenix International Raceway. “The next route was not as good and the third route finally wound up being good.  I think those are good things that are, for us, important because it gives us direction when we go to other mile and a half race tracks so we don’t have to do like we did today. We can get to what has been working for us and just go straight from there to progress that package to make it even better.”

“There’s a bit of a learning curve,” said Gene Stefanyshyn, NASCAR vice president of innovation and racing development. “The package we put together is going to be used on all the tracks except the superspeedways, so at Phoenix we began to see a glimpse, but obviously since that’s only a mile track, the speeds are a lot lower. They could probably only harvest maybe 30 to 40 percent of the capability of the package, so really this will be the first race where we get to see they can fully exploit the aerodynamic and chassis changes.”

Racing action will continue for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with the Kobalt 400 on Sunday, March 9 at 3 p.m. ET. Live coverage will air on FOX, Performance Racing Network Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, with additional coverage on NASCAR.com.

NASCAR

 

HOMECOMING FOR DANICA PATRICK AND OTHERS THIS WEEKEND AT PHOENIX

Danica Patrick

February 27, 2014 – Danica Patrick is another driver who was disappointed at Daytona, after a 40th-place finish that belied a semi-strong run. A hard crash into the wall entering the DIS tri-oval ended her effort.

This week Patrick returns to her adopted hometown of Phoenix. Patrick, from Roscoe, Ill., has three NASCAR Sprint Cup starts at PIR with a best finish of 17th in November 2012.

A few more Phoenix connections to watch for this weekend:

• Denny Hamlin, fresh off his runner-up Daytona 500 finish, has an affinity to the area – renting a house in Scottsdale in the offseason between the 2011-12 seasons. He won at PIR in March 2012 and got his first series pole there in November 2005. Hamlin’s listed hometown is Chesterfield, Va.
• Michael McDowell, driving the No. 95 Leavine Family Racing Ford, is from nearby Glendale. McDowell failed to qualify for the 500.
• Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Alex Bowman, from Tucson, Ariz., will make his series PIR debut after a 23rd-place finish in the 500.

And new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Managing Director Richard Buck is a Phoenix native. Buck was named series director in January of this season after overseeing the merger of GRAND-AM and the American Le Mans Series. Prior to his role at IMSA, Buck served as the director of NACAR’s touring series from 2006-12.

 

TRIO OF ROOKIES SETTING HIGH EXPECTATIONS

Chase Elliott

February 27, 2014 – A loaded Sunoco Rookie of the Year class arrived last weekend in Daytona with the highest of expectations. At the end of the 121-lap race, Ty Dillon, Dylan Kwasniewski and Chase Elliott were the top rookie finishers all with top-20 finishes and seeded in the top 10 in the standings.

The series now heads west to Phoenix where all three drivers, whose average age is 19, will be making their first NNS starts at the one-mile track.

In two NCWTS starts at Phoenix, Dillon, who finished seventh in Saturday’s Daytona race, has finishes of fourth and 15th. He currently sits seventh (10 points behind leader Regan Smith), one spot and point ahead of Kwasniewski. Elliott finished 15th and is in eighth place, 18 points outside of first. In Elliott’s only truck series start at Phoenix, he finished 10th. Saturday marks Kwasniewski’s first start at the track in a national series event.

Credit: NASCAR

 

TRG-AMR DRIVING OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT THE HARD ROCK HOTEL DAYTONA BEACH

Elite Sports Car Racing Team Forms Exciting Partnership with Bayshore Capital Inc.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Feb. 25, 2014 – The championship-winning TRG-AMR North America sports car racing team and Bayshore Capital Inc. announced a partnership Feb. 25 to drive ownership opportunities at the exciting new Residences at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach.

The TRG 007 Aston Martin

TRG-AMR will promote the luxury Residences project on the shores of world-famous Daytona Beach, Fla., during March at exclusive lifestyle events throughout Florida and at the prestigious Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida TUDOR United SportsCar Championship event March 12-15 at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla.

The team’s No. 007 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 race car that competes in the GT Daytona class of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship will carry a striking, unique livery featuring Residences at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach logos and branding at the Sebring race and preliminary events.

Included among those events are the Amelia Island “Festivals of Speed” March 7-8 in concert with the Amelia Island Concours weekend and an exclusive wine dinner March 10 in Orlando at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood restaurant. TRG-AMR also will host an Adobe Road wine reception March 12 at Sebring for media and corporate executives.

“The prestige and sophistication of the TRG-Aston Martin Racing brand is a perfect, natural fit for the luxury of the Residences at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach,” TRG-AMR CEO Kevin Buckler said. “Our team’s commercial and personal network, developed during nearly 20 years of championship-winning racing and building thriving businesses, can connect the power of Aston Martin and sports car racing and their customers and fans with this unique property at beautiful Daytona Beach like no other promotional and sales vehicle. We have all seen the growth at Daytona Beach over the last 20 years, and this is the perfect project at the perfect time.”

Residences at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona BeachBayshore Capital is developing the Residences at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach on a 10-acre oceanfront location on A1A

Residences at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona BeachBayshore Capital is developing the Residences at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach on a 10-acre oceanfront location on A1A, less than three-quarters of a mile south of the famous Daytona Beach pier. The dynamic project consists of 99 luxury Residences on the 11 floors above the Hard Rock Hotel. Two floors additionally are reserved for Penthouses.

Each floor includes just nine one-, two- and three-bedroom Residences, with all featuring gorgeous, unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Halifax River. The “ground floor” residences sit 176 feet above the sand, towering above surrounding structures.

Owners at the Residences at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach will enjoy an elevated luxury lifestyle similar to what is found in New York, Los Angeles or Miami’s South Beach. Lavish amenities will be numerous, including:

• Private poolside area for owners featuring priority food and beverage, towel/water services and a reserved seating area
• VIP check-in
• VIP access to hotel amenities, vibrant oceanfront pool area, Body Rock® fitness facility and Rock Spa®, a Lobby Lounge, a Hard Rock Cafe® and adjacent Rock Shop®
• 10-foot high ceilings
• Top-of-the-line finishes and appliances
• Priority elevator service
• Owners’ concierge
• Valet parking
• 24/7 room service
• VIP membership in Hard Rock Rewards

“Hard Rock is the most exciting, unique hospitality brand in the world,” Bayshore Capital CEO Henry Wolfond said. “TRG-AMR and Aston Martin also have that same quality and share the same affluent, discerning audience in global sports car racing and automobiles. The melding of these brands and their customers will create an attractive platform through which we can identify ownership opportunities for residences that will set the new standard for luxury and style that Daytona is ready for.”

Added Nelson Parker, Head of Development, The Americas for Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos: “Daytona Beach is a perfect fit for the global energy lifestyle of the Hard Rock brand and the high-performance racing world where TRG-AMR shines. We are thrilled to bring our unique positioning and experience to this legacy Florida market in concert with Bayshore and their important strategic alliance with TRG-AMR.”

The new partnership between TRG-AMR and Bayshore Capital expands a program that began at the Rolex 24 At Daytona in late January at Daytona International Speedway, a classic global race in which TRG-AMR has won the GT class four times since 2002.

Bayshore launched the VIP WORLD PREVIEW of the Residences at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach during the Rolex 24 at Daytona, including an invitation-only VIP Launch Party in the Infield Display Area at Daytona International Speedway open to attendees throughout the weekend. One of the largest Rolex 24 crowds in recent history turned out for the race, and many visited the presentation center to gather information or to reserve the opportunity to own a Residence at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach.

“The response has been tremendous,” Wolfond said. “In less than a month since launching sales at the Rolex 24, we’ve taken reservation deposits for more than 50 percent of the available residences.”