'Official Bank of Motorsports' Supports SunTrust MOTO-ST Series
July 5, 2007
ATLANTA (July 5, 2007) – With the first full season of the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series well underway, the "Official Bank of Motorsports" is delighted to have expanded its racing and entertainment portfolio and client services to the exciting world of professional motorcycle endurance road racing.
The SunTrust MOTO-ST Series is the latest addition to the company's growing list of high-level motorsports partnerships designed to help develop and enhance racing and business opportunities for drivers, teams, sponsors, sanctioning bodies, race tracks and major events nationwide. SunTrust's racing activity extends its resources and initiatives to all corners of the racing community, including NASCAR, the Indy Racing League and the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, the latter organization being the administrative and commercial support arm of the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series.
After staging its highly successful debut event at last October's 8 Hours At Daytona on the legendary Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway road circuit, the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series returned to the Speedway for its 2007 season opener – the Daytona USA 300. From there, the series continued its 2007 campaign with April events at Homestead (Fla.) Miami Speedway and Virginia International Raceway near Alton, Va. After a two-month hiatus, the two-wheeled team riders of MOTO-ST head to one of America's premier road courses when it visits historic Road America near Elkhart Lake, Wis., Saturday and Sunday (July 7-8) before collaborating with the Rolex Series the following weekend (July 12-14) at the all-new Iowa Speedway in Newton. Finally, the season wraps up with the second annual 8 Hours At Daytona October 19-20.
"Everyone at SunTrust is delighted with our participation in what is shaping up to be the top motorcycle endurance racing series in America," said Craig Kelly, Corporate Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, SunTrust Banks, Inc. "It has been our experience as we have grown our motorsports and entertainment business that race fans – whether the four-wheel or two-wheel variety – are the most loyal fans on the planet. Likewise, the participants in the various racing series in which we have become involved, as well as the promoters, venues and our fellow sponsors, are all loyal and supportive of our efforts to help them achieve their goals through our resources and initiatives by what we call ‘relationship banking.'"
SunTrust pioneered the concept of relationship banking within the sports and entertainment communities beginning with the country music industry and soon extending into the motorsports arena. The company's motorsports division has offices in the racing centers of Charlotte, N.C., and Daytona Beach. It also has a mobile banking center that travels with the various racing series to offer first-hand support for its clients at the race track.
"SunTrust understands the business of racing," said Wayne Taylor, veteran three-time sports car racing champion who has been with SunTrust since it joined the Rolex Series in 2004, first as driver of the No. 10 SunTrust Pontiac Riley Daytona Prototype, and now as owner of Wayne Taylor Racing, which campaigns the No. 10 SunTrust Pontiac. "SunTrust turned the motorsports industry around by offering financing solutions that are in-tune with the complexities of racing. If it wasn't for SunTrust, I can't imagine the transition from veteran driver to team owner could possibly have gone more smoothly."
In addition to sponsoring the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series and the No. 10 SunTrust Racing Pontiac in the Rolex Series, and its "Official Bank" status of the Grand American Road Racing Association, the MOTO-ST Series as well as Daytona International Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. SunTrust's racing portfolio also includes title sponsorship of the IRL IndyCar Series race at Richmond, the SunTrust Indy Challenge; official partner of the Motor Racing Outreach; sponsor of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride; and sponsorship of the Snap-On Stars of Karting presented by the Indy Racing League.
To learn more about SunTrust Racing and the company's specialized banking services, go to http://www.suntrustracing.com/, and http://www.suntrust.com/motorsportsbanking.
SunTrust Banks, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation's largest banking organizations, serving a broad range of consumer, commercial, corporate and institutional clients. As of March 31, 2007, SunTrust had total assets of $186.4 billion and total deposits of $123.4 billion. The Company operates an extensive branch and ATM network throughout the high-growth Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states and a full array of technology-based, 24-hour delivery channels. The Company also serves customers in selected markets nationally. Its primary businesses include deposit, credit, trust and investment services. Through various subsidiaries the Company provides credit cards, mortgage banking, insurance, brokerage, equipment leasing and capital markets services. SunTrust's Internet address is suntrust.com.
