Beneteau to support Townsend’s Bell’s Indy 500 effort
Commenting on Beneteau's participation, Bell, who is a Brand Ambassador for the sailing and power yachts manufacturer said, "It's a perfect match when you can promote your passion. I have always had a love for the open water…the adventures above and below. With Beneteau's partnership I look forward to promoting their industry-best line of powerboats and yachts. The beautiful simplicity of their European design and cutting edge performance, with innovations like their 'Airstep' hull (similar to the F-Duct concept in Formula 1), make their boats a thrill to enjoy on the water."
"Townsend embodies the next generation of first-time boat buyers," commented Laurent Fabre, President of Beneteau America. "It's only after he purchased his Barracuda 9 from our local Beneteau dealer that the relationship emerged. And we could not be more thrilled to have found in Townsend a spokesperson for our powerboat division. Townsend not only represents our target audience, he genuinely believes in our products as much as we do."
"Supporting Townsend Bell's racing efforts means we are able to reach a broader audience of busy professionals who are eager to carve quality time with their family. The combination of performance and safety in an otherwise straightforward vessel maximizes his time on the water. We take a lot of pride in seeing him sharing pictures and stories of his family enjoying their boat over the past year," added Fabre.
Bell, a 38-year-old American, who resides in Pacific Palisades, California spends much of his time now as a Verizon IndyCar Series broadcast analyst for NBC Sports. He also competes in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship driving for AIM Autosport with Ferrari. Bell, who will be contesting a major U. S. based open-wheel event for the 12th season, will be making his eighth start at the Brickyard. In seven previous Indy 500's, he has a best qualifying position of fourth, in 2011, and has earned three top-10 finishes with a best showing of fourth in 2009, coincidentally, while competing with KV Racing Technology. Out of a possible 1400 laps, Bell has completed a remarkable 1308 at the Speedway.
The 2014 Indianapolis 500 will be the 98th running of the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing". It has been held every year since the first race in 1911 except the war years of 1917-1918 and 1942-1945. The race will be contested on May 25, 2014 and will be broadcast live on ABC beginning at 11:00 a.m. (ET).