Contingency Fund Reaches Record High For Grand-Am Rolex KONI Challenge Series
Competitors in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 and Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series will have an opportunity to cash in on over $2.5 million in contingency funds in 2008, thanks to the increased commitment of those involved in the Grand-Am Contingency Program. The amount available to competitors in the 2008 Grand-Am Contingency Program sets a Grand-Am record.
Drivers and teams participating in either the Rolex Series or KONI Challenge Series will earn portions of that contingency simply by doing what comes naturally – racing. Running specified power plants, shocks or brakes; wearing required logos or accessories or just posting a sponsor’s contingency program sticker on the race car – as well as a strong finishing position – may be all that is required to earn a particular contingency prize.
Rolex Series drivers can earn their contingency prizes from a pool of just over $1.5 million in 2008. Available contingency prizes for the KONI Challenge Series top $1 million for this season.
For the first time ever, teams and drivers won’t be racing for contingency prizes on a weekly basis, but as a season-long effort as well. Each contingency sponsor has contributed to a general point fund pool that will award just over $110,000 to the Rolex Series and an additional $25,000 to KONI Challenge participants at the end of the season – giving even more incentive to teams aiming for season-long championships.
For the more than 30 motor, parts and accessories manufacturers on board in 2008, the Grand-Am Contingency Program includes access to the paddock through Grand-Am corporate hard cards, links and information on the Grand-Am website. Each sponsor also earns the ability to promote the company to racers and the general public as a “Proud Contingency Partner of Grand-Am,” as well as the right to use the contingency program logo.
Through the new season-long points fund program, each contingency partner will be recognized at the season-ending championship banquets for the Rolex Series and KONI Challenge.
The Grand American Road Racing Association, which operates and sanctions the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 and the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series, is the premier road racing organization in North America. The 15-race 2008 Rolex Series and the 11-race KONI Challenge Series calendars deliver professional sports car racing to key markets throughout North America in addition to being televised in the United States and Canada on SPEED and distributed globally through ESPN International.
