INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, March 21, 2007 – Jim Beam®, the Official Spirit of Racing™, announced an 11-city Road to Indy tour featuring a street-legal, two-seat version of the IndyCar Series race car sponsored by the world’s No. 1 bourbon whiskey.
The number of cities on the Road to Indy Tour was set at 11 to reflect the 1,100 miles of racing to be completed during the Jim Beam 1100 Sweepstakes. 2007 marks the second year of the Jim Beam 1100, which offers one race fan and three friends or family members the opportunity to attend IndyCar Series’ Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup’s 600-mile race in Charlotte, N.C. Both races are scheduled for Sunday, May 27, 2007.
“The Road to Indy tour will help get race fans around the country excited about the Jim Beam 1100, one of the greatest days of racing,” said Brian Gallagher, motorsports manager, Jim Beam. “The tour also will bring to life our brand’s official sponsorship of the Indianapolis 500 and generate awareness of Jim Beam’s support of Michael Andretti as he attempts to capture his first victory in the Jim Beam car at ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’”
Road to Indy tour stops will build excitement for upcoming races by enabling local residents to get an up-close look at a full-size replica of the Jim Beam IndyCar Series car. Residents also have the opportunity to take a ride as experienced IndyCar Series driver and two-time series runner-up Davey Hamilton pilots the vehicle. At each stop, local sports heroes, political officials and media members also will be invited to ride along in the back seat.
The tour wraps up in Indianapolis during Memorial Day Weekend, when the winner of the 2007 Jim Beam 1100 promotion gets the experience of a lifetime – a ride-along in a high-speed version of the Jim Beam two-seater on the paved surface of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the famed Brickyard.
In addition to generating awareness of the Jim Beam 1100 Sweepstakes and sponsorship of the Indianapolis 500, the Road to Indy Tour will prominently convey the brand’s drink smart® message that stresses the importance of responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages.
“The Jim Beam 1100 demonstrates our support for race fans who can’t get enough of their favorite sport,” Gallagher said. “We encourage celebration, but at the same time remind fans of their obligation to drink smart.”
The scheduled stops for the 2007 Jim Beam 1100 Road to Indy tour:
March 14-17
Nashville, Tenn.
March 21-24
Miami
March 27-30
St. Petersburg, Fla.
April 4-8
Richmond, Va.
April 11-14
Rochester, N.Y./Syracuse, N.Y.
April 18-22
Cleveland/Columbus, Ohio
April 25-29
Kansas City, Mo.
May 4-7
Louisville, Ky./Cincinnati
May 9-13
Minneapolis
May 16-20
Chicago
May 23-27
Indianapolis
For the second year, Jim Beam is sponsoring the Jim Beam 1100, a sweepstakes promotion that offers one winner and three guests the opportunity to attend 1100 miles of racing during Memorial Day weekend. The winner and guests will receive VIP treatment for the entire weekend, including private air transportation from Indianapolis to Charlotte. At each track, the winners will enjoy the race from an exclusive VIP suite. They also will have the chance to meet and support the two Jim Beam-sponsored drivers, Michael Andretti in IRL and Robby Gordon in NASCAR.
