As the Champ Car Atlantic series continues to grow, Forsythe Racing became one of the first teams to confirms its line-up for 2007, having signed rising North American stars Robert Wickens and John Edwards to drive a brace of Red Bull-backed Swifts.
The two youngsters joined senior team members to discuss the deal with members of the media.
Q:
Peter,
Red Bull made such an impact in Europe. Now, all of a sudden, it's starting to make an impact in the US. They're in NASCAR, now they're very strong in Champ Car. Can you tell me what you think their strategy is here in the US that we're going to see more and more drivers both in open-wheel racing carrying the Red Bull banner?
PD:
Well, they're certainly one of the most dynamic marketing and branding companies that are involved in sports, across a range of sports. As you say, I believe they hold in the order of 80 per cent market share for the energy drink products in North America. They are taking an approach which is to ensure that their product is in top of mind. They're very aggressive in their marketing, in getting their product into the right places. NASCAR clearly has eyeballs from the television package. Champ Car delivers the fastest, the most exciting, the most competitive open-wheel racing in North America through its festivals of speed, through all the activities that happen around the races.
Combined with their interest in develop driver talent, to give young drivers the opportunity through the Red Bull Junior Team programme in various series, you know, it's really the kind of implementation and activation that we all love to see sponsors applying in sports.
