Tire Kingdom to sponsor Michael Shank Racing for Rolex 24 & 12 Hours of Sebring

Pataskala, Ohio (19 January 2016) – When the 2016 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship kicks off in January with the 54th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Michael Shank Racing’s Honda-powered Ligier JS P2 will have a familiar look to it as Tire Kingdom® Service Centers, a Florida chain of automotive and tire service centers and a member of the TBC Corporation family of brands, has returned as primary sponsor of the No. 60 prototype for the second consecutive year.

The stunning bright red Tire Kingdom livery, prepared by Michael Shank Racing team partner AERO, impressed fans last year and will once again be in action in the opening two rounds of IMSA competition with the Rolex 24 At Daytona (January 30-31) and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring (March 19).

The No. 60 Tire Kingdom Honda-Ligier JS P2 will be piloted by 2012 Rolex 24 Champion drivers John Pew, Ozz Negri, and AJ Allmendinger as well as French driver Olivier Pla. Negri drove the Tire Kingdom machine to the pole position in last year’s Rolex 24 event.

As part of its partnership with Tire Kingdom, Michael Shank Racing will showcase the car at Tire Kingdom locations in the Daytona and Sebring markets.

“We are excited to sponsor Michael Shank Racing again this year for the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring; being on the pole for one of the biggest races in the world was very exciting for us last year and we hope to continue that success this year," said Scott Stoughton, TBC’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We’re appreciative of the opportunity and look forward to sharing our excitement with fellow associates and customers in Daytona and Sebring where the car will be displayed."

Tire Kingdom® Service Centers, founded in West Palm Beach, Florida in 1972, provides a broad range of automotive maintenance and tire services in retail locations throughout Florida. A brand of TBC Corporation, one of North America’s largest marketers of automotive replacement tires and repair services through a multi-channel strategy for the past 60 years, Tire Kingdom is known as a trusted name in the automotive aftermarket due in large part to their trained and certified ASE technicians, exceptional customer service, and state-of-the-art equipment.

“I’m obviously thrilled to have Tire Kingdom back on board with us again," said Michael Shank Racing Team Owner Mike Shank. “Tire Kingdom is a big supporter of the Continental Tire brand, and we are very excited to be working together again in 2016. Last year we were on the pole and finished fifth in the Rolex 24 and that was with a brand new car. We learned so much about the car last season and now that we have a year under our belts with the car, we’re looking forward to an even better 2016 season."

The No. 60 Tire Kingdom Honda-Ligier took its first laps of 2016 at the annual ‘Roar Before the 24’ test days and led four of the seven on track sessions. The Rolex 24 at Daytona is set for January 30 with the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring to take place March 19.

Michael Shank Racing