Philips gears up for IZOD IndyCar Series as official emergency care equipment sponsor

Royal Philips Electronics announced today that it is the official emergency care equipment sponsor of the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The sponsorships will last through the 2012 season.

The IZOD IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing and holds 17 events in the United States, Canada, Brazil and Japan. As part of the sponsorship, the IZOD IndyCar Series medical team will have advanced medical technology from Philips at each racing venue. The team will be identified by its Philips-branded medical vehicle and racing suits.

"Philips' sponsorship of the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway demonstrates our commitment to provide solutions for on-demand emergency medical support of the IndyCar drivers, as well as for the nearly half-million attendees on race day," said Steve Laczynski, general manager, sales and service, North America for Philips Healthcare. "The race provides Philips an opportunity to support medical team efforts in one of the most demanding situations for rapid patient assessment and treatment."

Under the supervision of Dr. Mike Olinger, IZOD IndyCar Series director of medical services, the Philips-sponsored medical team will include trauma physicians and nurses who will work with local hospital trauma centers, helicopter and ground-based emergency medical service (EMS) and fire rescue personnel to help manage the medical needs of all IndyCar drivers and fans at motor speedway events.

"The Indianapolis 500 presents the ultimate challenge within emergency medicine. The 500 attracts the largest single-day attendance of any sporting event in the world and therefore requires the most reliable, rugged and accurate medical equipment to care for racing personnel and fans who may need medical treatment on site," said Dr. Geoffrey Billows, medical director for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "The sponsorship from Philips provides us assurance that we will continue to administer the highest level of care possible to participants and spectators. The new Philips equipment will ensure we have the necessary tools to quickly and efficiently respond to an emergency on the track or around the grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway."