PUMA(R) Extends Deal with Ford Team RS
New 360° Partnership to span PUMA Racewear, Teamwear, Footwear and Accessories
Herzogenaurach,
Germany, January 16th 2004 - PUMA AG and Ford Team RS today announce an extension to the existing supplier contract. Building on a successful first season in mechanic and team footwear, the partnership is now expanded to include fireproof racewear and fireproof rally driver and co-driver boots, as well as performance teamwear and outerwear for the entire team.
"Ford Team RS have a long proud heritage in rallying and proved in 2003 that whether with star veterans or young rookies, they always challenge for rallies and for championships. We are delighted to extend the contract and to work with such a dedicated team and talented young drivers", says Andrew McPhail, Senior Manager of PUMA Motorsport. "Supplying the rally drivers, co-drivers and support crew with suitable gear for such a wide range of terrain and climatic conditions gives us a chance to demonstrate the know-how in high-performance motorsport apparel, which we have been able to accumulate with many partners over a number of seasons."
"As a result of the good partnership, we have decided to extend the deal with PUMA," states Malcolm Wilson, the former rally driver behind the wheel of the Ford attack to WRC. "The World Rally Championship is one of the most demanding and challenging motorsport competitions worldwide. It is therefore crucial for our drivers and team to have high quality, functional gear, and PUMA can give us exactly that."
The FIA World Rally Championship races in 16 countries, starting in the French Alps near Monte Carlo, turbo-charging through the snow bound forests of Sweden, over the wide countryside of Argentina, past the historic scenery of Greece�'s Acropolis and ending in the dirt and dust of Australia. Millions of fans in countries all over the world watch the teams battle it out on 5 continents.
PUMA(R) performance racing shoes were first used by various drivers and teams in the 1970s and early 1980s. And since 1998 PUMA�'s motorsport division has gradually assembled an impressive portfolio of sponsorships. Along with Ford Team RS and a WRC partnership, PUMA will in the 2004 season be the official supplier of racing gear in several motorsport disciplines such as Formula One, F 3000, motocross, etc.
PUMA(R) is the global athletic brand that successfully fuses influences from sport, lifestyle and fashion. PUMA�'s unique industry perspective delivers the unexpected in sportlifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories, through technical innovation and revolutionary design. Established in Herzogenaurach, Germany in 1948, PUMA distributes products in over 80 countries.
Tina Heinlein
Corporate Communication
PUMA AG
+49 9132 81 2561