Organizers of the Audi 2007 Melges 24 U.S. National Championship have announced that Audi of America Inc. and the Detroit-Area Audi Metro Dealers have been named Title Sponsor of this prestigious event.
"We are extremely happy to have Audi on board for this regatta and pleased they recognize what we already know; that Melges 24 racing is the most exciting sailing going on in the United States today," said Paul Hulsey, event chairman. "We're looking forward to showing the folks at Audi that 50 plus Melges's roaring into the leeward mark is the maritime equivalent to dozens of race cars zooming around a track."
This National Championship marks Audi's first title sponsorship of any U.S. regatta. With AUDI AG recently announcing its sponsorship of the Breitling Medcup Transpac 52 circuit, and Audi of Australia's strong support of Hamilton Island Race Week and the Sydney Harbor Regatta, the automobile manufacturer is sending a clear message of their support to the yacht racing community.
Dave Suplee, Audi's general manager for the Midwest U.S., has big expectations for the event: "Our company's heritage is all about racing and competition, and our best innovations have come from racing." Suplee said. "High performance, clean technologies and pushing the envelope are core values for Audi, which is why we see this National Championship as such a good match for us."
Audi will display a full line up of their high-performance cars on the grounds of Detroit's Bayview Yacht Club, including the TT roadster and 354 horsepower S5 Sports Coupe. The powerful and stylish Q7, easily able to easily tow a Melges 24 and carry the entire crew, will also be on display throughout the event.
Entry list swells as early registration deadline approaches
Forty-two teams have already registered from as far away as England and California, with at least 15 more boats expected to register over the coming weeks. Only two weeks remain until the September 10 early registration deadline. Online registration, press registration, entry list and the Notice of Race are available through the official Audi 2007 Melges 24 U.S.
National Championship website at www.melges24racing.com/nationals.
Detroit-based marine electronics manufacturer Rock City Marine will be awarding two RockBox self-contained GPS racing instruments to competitors at the event. The top Corinthian competitor will win a RockBox portable racing instrument, as will the Most Improved Crew as judged by an independent panel. Each RockBox has a retail value of $499.
Source: http://bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=14518
