Grand American Road RacingAssociation announced today the appointment of veteran motorsports publicrelations professional Adam Saal to the position of Director ofCommunications. In his new role, Saal will manage all public relations andcorporate communications for Grand American, the Rolex Sports Car Series andthe Grand-Am Cup Series.
Saal, who has managed in the past the public relations efforts for CART,IMSA, Indy Lights and the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, also servedon an interim basis as the first public relations representative for GrandAmerican in early 2000.
"We are delighted to have Adam back on a fulltime basis," said GrandAmerican President Roger Edmondson. "He played a key part in our successfuldebut four years ago, and I am sure we will benefit even more from hisleadership, experience and professionalism now that he has joined usfulltime in Daytona Beach. Adam's experience in the sport and solid rapportwith the national and international media make him an ideal fit on the GrandAmerican team."
Saal's appointment continues the expansion of Grand American'scommunications department. Last month, fourth-year Public Relations ManagerChristie Hyde was joined by former Grand American intern Lauren McCrystal,who was appointed to the position of Public Relations Coordinator. Thecurrent team of three is the largest fulltime communications department todate for Grand American.
"The Grand American Road Racing Association has made great progress over thelast few years, and I am very excited about its unbelievable potential,"Saal said. "Sports cars have always been my main passion, and I lookforward to using my public and media relations experience to help the GrandAmerican Road Racing Association and our various racing series sustain theircurrent growth and momentum."
Saal began his public relations career with the Barber Saab Pro Series in1988 before heading up IMSA's media operations in 1989 and '90. He followedthat with four years at the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach and itswell-known Grand Prix race during which time he also served as the pressofficer for the IMSA races held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds near San Diego,Calif., through the early '90s. Saal later spent several years with theIndy Lights series in addition to twice serving as the head public relationsmanager for CART (1995 - '96 & 2002 - '03).
Saal, 39, and his wife Lana live in Cocoa Beach, Fla. and are also partnersin a public relations and health promotion business that she will continueto operate in the future. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Saal is a 1987 graduateof Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism.
