HILLIARD, Ohio and BROWNSBURG, Ind. (January 22, 2015) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that DRIFIRE®, a premiere provider and developer of high performance flame resistant fabrics and protective apparel to the military, industrial and consumer markets, has joined the team as an associate sponsor of the team’s sports car and Indy car programs for 2015. The partnership will bring DRIFIRE® to the forefront of motorsports.
Born on the battlefield, proven on the track and trusted by the most high-risk industries, DRIFIRE® high performance FR (flame resistant) offers protection where and when it matters most.Through the partnership, DRIFIRE® will provide flame resistant clothing to the both the sports car and Indy car teams. DRIFIRE’s entry into racing came when Oakley asked them to develop their latest base layer for motorsports. This partnership marks the first with a racing team at any level and is a strategic move within motorsports for the brand.
“When I was racing, safety equipment was of the utmost importance and now as a team owner, I want the best available for our team as well and that is DRIFIRE®,” said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with CBS LATE SHOW host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. “They are constantly looking for ways to improve their product and that approach aligns with motorsports and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.”
“It’s clear that RLL and DRIFIRE® share the same commitment to safety and high performance, making them a perfect fit for partnership,” said Darryl G. Schimeck, CEO of DRIFIRE®. “We are confident that our DRIFIRE Prime™ base layer, using drirelease® technology, will keep RLL’s drivers and crews protected, comfortable and performing at their peak.”
The 2015 TUDOR United Sports Car Championship season begins on January 24 with the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway and will be televised on a combination of Fox, Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2. The Verizon IndyCar Series season begins on March 8 with the Brasilia Indy 300 and will be televised on NBCSN.
About DRIFIRE LLC
DRIFIRE® is the premier provider and developer of high performance flame resistant (FR) fabrics and protective apparel to the government, industrial and consumer markets. It is the only FR wear company to utilize patented performance fabric technology used by the world’s premier athletic brands. This technology ensures wearers are cool, dry and comfortable to operate at their peak. DRIFIRE®, owned by Chicago’s Sterling Partners since its launch in 2006, makes flame-resistant apparel for every branch of the U.S.military as well as the oil, gas and chemical industries and, in a partnership with sports equipment maker Oakley Inc., automobile race teams. For more information, go tohttp://www.drifire.com
About Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, based in Hilliard, Ohio and Brownsburg, Ind., is co-owned by three-time IndyCar Champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, CBS LATE SHOW host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. In 2015 the team will compete in their 24th year of open wheel competition and attempt to add to their 20 wins – including the 2004 Indy 500 from pole with Buddy Rice — their 29 poles, 81 podium finishes and 1992 series championship. The team also competed in the American Le Mans Series from 2009-2013 as BMW Team RLL where they won both the Manufacturer and Team Championships in the GT category in 2010 and swept all three GT titles in 2011 – Manufacturer, Team and Driver. In 2012, the team finished second in the Team Championship and third in the Manufacturer Championship and in 2013, the team finished second in the Driver, Team and Manufacturer Championship. In 2014, BMW Team RLL competed in the GTLM class of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship with a two-car program and earned six podium finishes including four second-place finishes. In 2015, the team will attempt to add to their 10 wins and 49 sports car podium finishes.
– RLL –
