Cooper inks deal with Champ Car Atlantic Championship

June 1, 2006

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has signed a three-year agreement with Champ Car Atlantic Championship to become its official tire supplier beginning next year.

The company also will also serve as the presenting sponsor of North America's premier open-wheel development series.

Cooper will work closely with exclusive series chassis manufacturer Swift Engineering and engine partners Mazda North America and Cosworth Inc. and will produce and supply high-performance racing slicks and rain tires that will equip all Champ Car Atlantic Championship cars.

"The Champ Car Atlantic Championship series is well known throughout the world," said Tom Dattilo, Cooper chairman, president and CEO. "This new strategic partnership positions Cooper squarely at the forefront of the motorsport world. It provides an excellent platform to showcase our ultra-high performance racing products and technological capabilities to enthusiasts around the world.

"We are thrilled at the prospects this relationship provides for Cooper and are obviously pleased about joining forces with one of the premier organizations in motorsport racing. Together with Cooper's rich racing heritage, this partnership will create an all-new competition portfolio that will allow drivers to compete at even higher levels of racing."

Testing for the 2007 Cooper Atlantic tires will begin this week. The Team Australia Atlantic squad will be putting the new rubber through its paces during a private test session at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla. Several more series tire tests are also planned over the next few months.