Bridgestone extends supply deal

The championship has been known as 'Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford' since it was reorganised in the wake of Honda and Toyota's defection to the IRL IndyCar Series in 2003.

The company's North American motorsport boss Al Speyer said that the end of the title branding arrangement did not signify a lessening of Bridgestone's commitment to Champ Car.

"While the restructured contract does not include provisions for the Bridgestone brand to remain presenting sponsor of the series, we will still be highly integrated in many, many Champ Car activities," Speyer explained.

"We will continue the alternate tyre program, Bridgestone will procure official tyre status at specific events, we will continue to host hundreds of guests at hospitality units at races, and we will feature new ads in the new and exciting television package.

"Most importantly, our ongoing commitment to design, develop, produce and deliver the highest quality tyres for Champ Car racing has not and will not change. The Bridgestone brand will be very visible to the fans and teams."

Bridgestone returned to Champ Car with its Firestone brand in 1995, and rapidly became a dominant force. It has supplied the entire field since Goodyear withdrew at the end of 1999, and also has a monopoly in the rival IRL.

"The Bridgestone brand has been an integral part of Champ Car's success and we are pleased to be able to continue our relationship with one of the top companies in all of motorsports," said Steve Johnson, Champ Car president.