Rahal IndyCar team lands Gehl
Gehl, which first partnered with RLR last season, has also been involved in motorsports as a personal sponsorship of Graham Rahal and with longstanding relationships with the Champ Car World Series and with selected events in the IndyCar Series. Gehl will expand the partial season integrated marketing program that was established with RLR’s IndyCar Series program in 2006. Gehl will now become a full-season associate partner with corporate identification appearing on both the Team Ethanol entry of Jeff Simmons and the Patrón Tequila entry of Scott Sharp.
Gehl will also be part of Rahal Letterman Racing’s American Le Mans Series Porsche GT2 program debut this weekend at the legendary Sebring International Raceway. Gehl has joined RLR as an associate partner for the Twelve Hours of Sebring. The Gehl logo will appear on the No. 18 RLR Bell Microproducts Porsche, which will be driven by Ralf Kelleners, Tom Milner and Graham Rahal.
“It is with a great deal of pride that we announce this expanded program with the Gehl Company," said Bobby Rahal, three-time CART champion and the 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner. “The Gehl Company has a motorsports program that has been in existence nearly 20-years. They first came to us looking at opportunities to expand their motorsports program to the team level and for an opportunity to partner with a young driver like Graham. The first year of our partnership was a success and we are working diligently to make sure the program continues to grow and meet their needs in years to come."
“We’re extremely pleased to be continuing our association with Rahal Letterman Racing," said Dan Keyes, Gehl Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “The relationship with Rahal Letterman Racing last season proved to be a valuable asset to us both on and off the track and our dealers, customers and employees are looking for more of the same in 2007."
The expanded relationship marks a new level of participation for Gehl, which is already active in motorsports as a personal sponsor to Graham Rahal and as the "Official Construction Equipment" of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, The Milwaukee Mile and Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Gehl is also an "Official Supplier" to the Champ Car Safety Team. Gehl for the first time will serve as a full season partner in the IndyCar Series.
“Bobby Rahal runs a first class operation," said Keyes. “The customer experience and brand exposure we get partnering with Rahal Letterman Racing is second to none."