hukarez
10-07-2005, 11:47 AM
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?series=cart&id=2183378
Cedric the Entertainer to join Champ Car team
<!-- end pagetitle --> <!-- begin bylinebox --> Associated Press
<!-- begin presby2 --><!-- end presby2 -->
<!-- end bylinebox -->
<!-- begin text11 div --> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td valign="top"> <!-- begin leftcol --> <!-- template inline -->INDIANAPOLIS -- Cedric the Entertainer is taking his act to the race course.
The actor-comedian announced Thursday he would join the Champ Car series as part-owner of the HVM Racing team through the 2006 season. He's the first black owner on the American-based, open-wheel circuit. The team will be renamed CTE Racing-HVM.
Cedric, who has hosted award shows and been featured in movies and on television, hopes to bring several sponsors with him to the series, including Anheuser-Busch, for whom he's done television commercials.
"That's really one of the main things is bringing those relationships, a lot of people I've done business with, into the world of sponsorship," he said during a conference call. "We're even looking at promoting movies and films on cars and having fun with that."
HVM Racing has been seeking additional sponsorship much of this season.
Cedric joins a growing list of celebrities involved with auto racing. Others include Champ Car team owner and actor Paul Newman and IRL team owner and comedian David Letterman, both of whom Cedric said he contacted before making a decision. The Wayans brothers, Magic Johnson, Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman and Jim Kelly are all involved with NASCAR.
He also hopes his involvement increases open-wheel opportunities for minorities.
"I think it would only be natural for me to look at ways for opportunities to increase minority participation here, not be a martyr for it, but definitely look for the opportunity to introduce some minorities into this world," Cedric said.
Willy T. Ribbs and George Mack are the only black drivers who have started the Indianapolis 500, which is run on the Indy Racing League circuit, Champ Car's rival.
The move means Cedric will become part-owner of the No. 4 car the rest of this season, and the CTE Racing-HVM banner will cover both of the team's race cars next season.
Cedric said his interest grew after he attended the series' race at Long Beach, Calif., in April.
<!--end leftcol --> </td> <td width="15"><spacer type="block" height="1" width="15"></td></tr></tbody> </table>
Cedric the Entertainer to join Champ Car team
<!-- end pagetitle --> <!-- begin bylinebox --> Associated Press
<!-- begin presby2 --><!-- end presby2 -->
<!-- end bylinebox -->
<!-- begin text11 div --> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td valign="top"> <!-- begin leftcol --> <!-- template inline -->INDIANAPOLIS -- Cedric the Entertainer is taking his act to the race course.
The actor-comedian announced Thursday he would join the Champ Car series as part-owner of the HVM Racing team through the 2006 season. He's the first black owner on the American-based, open-wheel circuit. The team will be renamed CTE Racing-HVM.
Cedric, who has hosted award shows and been featured in movies and on television, hopes to bring several sponsors with him to the series, including Anheuser-Busch, for whom he's done television commercials.
"That's really one of the main things is bringing those relationships, a lot of people I've done business with, into the world of sponsorship," he said during a conference call. "We're even looking at promoting movies and films on cars and having fun with that."
HVM Racing has been seeking additional sponsorship much of this season.
Cedric joins a growing list of celebrities involved with auto racing. Others include Champ Car team owner and actor Paul Newman and IRL team owner and comedian David Letterman, both of whom Cedric said he contacted before making a decision. The Wayans brothers, Magic Johnson, Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman and Jim Kelly are all involved with NASCAR.
He also hopes his involvement increases open-wheel opportunities for minorities.
"I think it would only be natural for me to look at ways for opportunities to increase minority participation here, not be a martyr for it, but definitely look for the opportunity to introduce some minorities into this world," Cedric said.
Willy T. Ribbs and George Mack are the only black drivers who have started the Indianapolis 500, which is run on the Indy Racing League circuit, Champ Car's rival.
The move means Cedric will become part-owner of the No. 4 car the rest of this season, and the CTE Racing-HVM banner will cover both of the team's race cars next season.
Cedric said his interest grew after he attended the series' race at Long Beach, Calif., in April.
<!--end leftcol --> </td> <td width="15"><spacer type="block" height="1" width="15"></td></tr></tbody> </table>