The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and DEKRA North America, Inc. today announced a multi-year agreement that makes DEKRA the Official Technical Partner of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship and Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, as well as a Proud Partner of IMSA.
DEKRA also will become the title sponsor of the DEKRA Green Challenge Award which is presented to the most environmentally clean, fast and efficient GT Le Mans (GTLM) competitor at each TUDOR Championship race.
The DEKRA Green Challenge award is determined through Green Racing protocols established by the United States Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International as part of an overarching strategic alliance with IMSA.
“DEKRA has a long tradition of partnering with elite motorsports events and series, and we are very excited to be expanding our automotive expertise into the North America market,” said Donald O. Nicholson, President and Chief Regional Officer of DEKRA NA.
“As the global leader providing independent and unbiased vehicle emission and safety inspections for consumer and commercial vehicles – along with many other automotive product offerings – we are honored to become IMSA’s Technical Partner for ensuring racing standards are met. We are also very proud to facilitate the DEKRA Green Challenge Award, which will recognize the ‘most green’ car of every race.”
DEKRA will have branding exposure throughout IMSA’s new DEKRA Technical Inspection Area, as well as on the uniforms of IMSA technical officials. All TUDOR Championship cars also will receive event-specific DEKRA race decals once they successfully complete the technical inspection process.
“This partnership impacts several vital components of our business that matched up perfectly with DEKRA’s areas of expertise,” said IMSA President Scott Atherton.
“The DEKRA name is certainly familiar in international racing, but relatively unknown to American fans. We are thrilled that DEKRA has chosen IMSA to expand its exposure across North America. This partnership also will enable us to enhance our at-track technical presentation and put an even brighter spotlight on our prestigious and important DEKRA Green Challenge Award.”
DEKRA has been involved at the top level of motorsport as a sponsor and technical partner for more than 20 years, including with the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) since 1989.
The 2015 TUDOR Championship season opens at Daytona International Speedway with the 53rd Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 24-25, 2014.