Gehl to be Primary Sponsor of Graham Rahal’s Entry at RA (Update)

The livery from another angle

UPDATE Rahal Letterman Lanigan (RLL) Racing will officially unveil the previously announced fan-favorite livery on the No. 15 Gehl / Manitou entry for the REV Group Grand Prix at Road America on June 23. The design is a throwback to team co-owner and former Indy car champion Bobby Rahal’s 1994 Lola-Honda race car but that was only part of the story. The livery was also chosen as a celebration of Honda’s 25 seasons in the sport, after years of groundwork by Bobby Rahal led to their first season of competition in 1994. The iconic “Powered by Honda" logo, first used in Indy car racing when the program debuted in 1994, will return for the event.

“It’s amazing to think that Honda has been in Indy car racing for 25 years, but at the same time it seems longer," said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with David Letterman and Michael Lanigan. “I have fond memories of when the process began between myself and Mr. [Michihiro] Asaka in the late 1980’s. We were so proud to join Honda on their historic entry into Indy car racing in 1994, and I remember how appreciative we were to be asked to rejoin them for the 2003 season and, of course, proud to bring them their first Indy 500 win I 2004. Honda and HPD deserve the success they have had over the years and so much credit for the commitment they have made to the sport. We are still working with some of the original members of HPD to this day and look forward to our future together."

Following several years of research and planning, American Honda made the public announcement it would enter Indy car competition at the 1993 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. After a year of testing and development, Honda’s Indy car competition debut took place at the 1994 season-opening race in Surfers Paradise, Australia with two cars driven by Rahal and teammate Mike Groff.

“Seeing the ‘Powered by Honda’ logo return is a special moment for me, and for many of us at HPD," said Steve Eriksen, HPD vice president and COO. “Those of us who were at HPD and supporting the Rahal team at the beginning of our Indy car effort worked extremely hard to establish a strong foundation for the program, and it is very gratifying today to reflect on the successes achieved in the succeeding years. This weekend’s display of the ‘throwback’ livery on Graham’s car – and the display of Bobby’s 1994 Lola-Honda Indy car – provides a direct link from the past to the present that I hope all race fans will enjoy."

In four starts at Road America, Graham Rahal has earned two third-place finishes and four top-10’s. His top start in 2019 is second at Barber Motorsports Park and his top finish is third at Texas Motor Speedway. He is currently ranked eighth in the NTT IndyCar Series standings with a total of 211 points. The REV Group Grand Prix at Road America will air live on NBC on Sunday, June 23 beginning at 12 p.m. ET.

“As a Honda dealer, I also want to congratulate them on their 60th anniversary of doing business in North America," added Rahal. “The growth of their operations throughout the United States is just an amazing story. Kudos to them for the commitment they have made to this country as well as their commitment to Indy car racing."

Gehl throwback livery for Rahal

06/06/19 Rahal Letterman Lanigan (RLL) Racing announced today that the Gehl brand, part of Manitou Americas, Inc., will be the primary sponsor for Graham Rahal’s No. 15 Honda-powered entry at the REV Group Grand Prix at Road America on June 23. The livery is a throwback to a fan favorite that team co-owner and Graham’s father, Bobby Rahal, drove in 1994.

“It’s always special for us to run a Gehl car anywhere but to run it at one of our favorite tracks, and one that brings back as many memories as Road America does is even more special," said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with David Letterman and Michael Lanigan. “Fans always mention the livery I ran in the 90’s as their favorite and this was designed with that in mind. Gehl loves it too and it matches their corporate colors so its thanks to them that we are able to bring it back."

Gehl was an associate sponsor of the team’s IndyCar Series program from 2006-2008 and again for the 2014 season. Most recently Gehl was primary sponsor of Rahal’s entry at Road America in 2018, at Iowa Speedway in 2017 and was co-primary at Road America in 2017. Manitou Americas, Inc. is a producer of Gehl, Manitou, and Mustang branded equipment for construction, agriculture, mining, energy industries and beyond. In addition, Gehl is in their 14th year of involvement with Graham Rahal, whom they have supported since his 2006 Atlantic Championship season where he was runner up to the champion.

“We are very excited to have Graham pilot the No. 15 Gehl/Manitou Honda IndyCar at our hometown race track, Road America," said Mark Hanson, regional vice president of Manitou Group and CEO of Manitou North America. “Having Graham back in the driver’s seat of the Gehl/Manitou branded car adds excitement for the nearly 200 dealers and customers we are hosting during the weekend race."

Rahal’s top start in 2019 is second at Barber Motorsports Park and his top finish is fourth at Long Beach. He is currently ranked ninth in the NTT IndyCar Series standings with a total of 175 points. The REV Group Grand Prix at Road America will air live on NBCSN on Sunday, June 23 beginning at 12 p.m. ET.

In addition to its relationship with RLL and driver Graham Rahal, Gehl has been active in motorsports for many years. Gehl has been the "Official Construction Equipment" of the Grand Prix of Long Beach for 24 years and is celebrating their 30th year of involvement with Road America in 2019. Other race venues Gehl has been involved with include the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Denver Grand Prix, Infineon Raceway, and The Milwaukee Mile. Gehl was also an "Official Supplier" to the Champ Car Safety Team for many years.