Cherry Hill, N.J., May 4, 2012 – Subaru of America, Inc. has announced the official sponsorship of sportslifestyle brand PUMA for the Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team. As part of the multi-year sponsorship agreement with Subaru, PUMA becomes the official supplier of team and racewear and an exclusive licensing partner to the team for footwear and apparel. As part of the team sponsorship PUMA has developed custom graphics for the three Subaru WRX STI program cars.

The Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team is the factory backed rally team for Subaru of America, Inc., managed by Subaru technical partner Vermont SportsCar. The all-star team consists of BMX legend and professional Rally athlete Dave Mirra; Professional skateboarder Bucky Lasek; and three-time European RallyCross champion Sverre Isachsen. The team will be competing in the six-round Global RallyCross Championship (GRC) series.

To view the Subaru PUMA RallyCross Teaser click here.

“I am stoked to have Sverre and Bucky join the team,” said rally veteran Dave Mirra “Sverre has been an unstoppable force in European rallycross and will definitely be an asset to the team with his experience and talent. I have known Bucky for years on the X Games circuit, it is great to see another extreme athlete cross over to rallycross; his enthusiasm for racing and fearlessness should be great to watch.”

Sverre Isachsen, aka The Viking Warrior, has been a motorsports addict his whole life. After competing in local autocross and rallycross events in his native Norway, he set his sights on the European RallyCross Championship. After a strong debut in 2002 he dominated the series and was crowned its champion in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

New to the team, 12 time X Games Skateboarding Vert Medalist Bucky Lasek, is no stranger to the world of automotive racing. Bucky has competed in the Mustang Challenge series as well as a handful of Porsche Cup races. He began intensive rally training at Dirtfish Rally School where he honed his all-wheel drive skills behind the wheel of a Subaru WRX STI.

The team will compete in 2012 Subaru WRX STI rally cars that have a fresh new look for rallycross featuring a unique Zombie Cat graphic. PUMA brings a fun and colorful design aesthetic that, when mixed with the adrenaline of the sport, is sure to excite drivers, fans, and spectators alike. Mirra, Lasek, and Isachsen will sport official fireproof PUMA racing suits emblazoned with Zombie Cat graphics, and a new performance-racing shoe called the PRX Subaru. PUMA will be releasing lifestyle footwear, tees, and accessories inspired by the team and rally cars beginning in June.

“The sportlifestyle that PUMA represents is a great fit for Subaru, owners, and motorsport fans”, said Dean Evans, Chief Marketing Officer for Subaru of America, Inc. “We are pleased to align with another global brand, and one that will enhance the image and awareness of our rallycross team.”

“Subaru builds incredible sports performance vehicles and in working with them, we were able to apply our creative design approach with the graphics and color application,” said Antonio Bertone, Chief Marketing Officer for PUMA. “We are thrilled to be working with Subaru, they have a long, successful motorsports history that matches well with our brand.”

Rallycross debuted in the United States at Summer X Games 16 in 2010. Modeled after the popular European sport of rallycross, the US version pits drivers against each other for side-by-side racing on surfaces that vary from dirt, asphalt and a 70-foot gap jump. Competitors progress through a series of timed heats to the final race where winner takes all. Multiple drivers start at once and fight for position in the final four-lap race. The GRC takes the best attributes of circuit, off-road, and rally racing that results in intense competition in venues that are fan-friendly.

The six-round 2012 GRC will be in venues across the United States including the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Summer X Games 18 in Los Angeles. GRC has teamed up with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and the IZOD IndyCar Series at popular racetracks to provide weekends of action-packed, racing excitement for the fans. ESPN will broadcast the races live, channel information and times to be released at a later date.

The first round of the GRC will be held at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26, 2012. For more information on GRC visit: www.global-rallycross.com.

For additional information about Subaru Rally Team USA visit: www.subaru.com/rally. Become fan on www.facebook.com/subaruofamerica and follow @subaru_usa and @srtusa.

For more information about PUMA and PUMA Motorsports visit www.puma.com/motorsports. Become a fan on www.facebook.com/puma and facebook.com/pumamotorsport. Follow PUMA on Twitter at @puma.

- I’m so glad for this deal. I have worked day and night for the past fifteen years to get an opportunity like this, and now it’s here. I’m looking forward to work with Subaru in the Global Rallycross Championship, Sverre Isachsen says.

The 41 year old Norwegian also drove the 2010 X Games for Subaru Rally Team USA, but has driven a Ford Focus in the European Rallycross Championship. The three last years he has been in a class of his own in Europe, and now he wants to conquer the world in 2013.

-I needed a new challenge, and the GRC is a very interesting championship. The car manufacturers are involved, and next year there are plans for a World Championship. I want to be the first World Champion in rallycross with Subaru PUMA Rallycross Team.

The new deal makes Sverre Isachsen a factory driver for Subaru PUMA Rallycross Team together with Dave Mirra and Bucky Lasek, and together they will also develop a car for the 2013 season. This season starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway May 26, and Sverre Isachsen will compete against drivers like Marcus Grönholm, Travis Pastrana and Ken Block.

-After three championships in a row, I want some new challenges. We are still working towards the coming season, and I hope to present some news in the coming weeks, Sverre Isachsen says.

Sverre would like to wish everyone at Lydden Hill a safe race!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_joHCek_ivI&feature=related