January 29, 2004 Gulf Coast Modified Series Lands Major Sponsor Open Wheel Series To Run Eight Races In 2004 By Rick Warren Largo Florida – The Gulf Coast Modified Series, which began in 2003 with the three race Triple Classic, announced today that they had reached an agreement and entered into a marketing partnership with Corteco Gaskets. Gary Robertson, Director of Marketing for the Gulf Coast Modified, Series said in his announcement, “We are very excited to be associated with a company as great as Corteco Gaskets. We in this series are looking forward to a very good relationship with our new corporate partner. All of us involved with this series are thrilled with the opportunities that this partnership affords us." Corteco is no stranger to the World of Motor Sports. They are currently involved with the National Street Car Association as a class sponsor for the Limited Street Division. For the last two years Corteco was also associated with Kelly Racing, as their Primary Sponsor in the Indy Racing League, with Al Unser Jr. as the driver. In his announcement Robertson also stated, "Corteco, with their involvement in motorsports, not only lends a greater credibility to this series as the Title Sponsor, but also allows us to expand an already successful venture. We are certain that we will be able to maximize exposure for Corteco and further drive their sales in the markets we represent.” Corteco Gaskets (pronounced Cor-TEK’-o) is part of the Freudenberg-NOK Company. The Freudenberg-NOK Global Partnership integrates Japanese, German, and American technology, has total global sales over $7.5 Billion, and over 30,000 employees serving customers world wide. Corteco specializes in manufacturing high quality products for the automotive after market. Their primary products include Cabin Air Filters, Engine Gasket Kits, Crankshaft Seals and Kits, Cylinder Head Bolts, Hydraulic Lifters, Engine / Transmission Mounts, Strut Mounts, Vibration Control Products, Omega Power Steering Products, TransTec Power Steering Kits, and TransTec Transmission kits. Corteco, recognizing that many of their end-use customers follow circle track racing and drag racing at the “grass roots” level sees this partnership with the Gulf Coast Modified Series as a natural progression of their desire to support racing at local levels. Mike Cope, Director of Operations for the Gulf Coast Modified Series, was equally excited about the partnership. Said Cope “This partnership with Corteco Gaskets is without a doubt the best thing to happen for Modified Racers in the state of Florida. It allows them to race in a series that will mean something for them, in exposure value, and more importantly in dollar value. The backing of Corteco Gaskets allows us to have a very nice points fund, and we think the pay out is extremely good for an 8 race series. The series is set up to allow local racers to make all the shows without jeopardizing the points race at their home track. We can’t wait to get started with the first race at Bronson Motor Speedway, and provide a quality racing show for the fans.” The series is set for 8 races this year. The schedule is set as follows: 1.-March 20th -Bronson Motor Speedway 2.-April 24th -Sunshine Speedway 3.-May 8th -Charlotte County Speedway 4.-June 4th -To be Announced 5.-August 7th -To be Announced 6.-September 4th -Sunshine Speedway 7.-October 9th -Charlotte County Speedway 8.-November 7th - Bronson Motor Speedway The announced Point Fund Pay out is as Follows : First Place-$5000.00 Second Place-$3500.00 Third Place-$2250.00 Fourth Place-$1750.00 Fifth Place-$1600.00 Sixth Place-$1450.00 Seventh Place-$1250.00 Eight Place-$1150.00 Ninth Place-$1050.00 Tenth Place-$1000.00 Total Pay out-$20,000.00 For further information and to sign up for the series newsletter log on to the Gulf Coast Modifieds web site at WWW.gulfcoastmodifieds.com For more news and background on the series see these other articles on KARNAC.com: Gulfcoast Triple Classic Coming to a Track Near You Bowman Takes First Leg of Gulfcoast Triple Classic Senokossoff wins Final Leg, Mowery Wins Championship in Fuels Gulfcoast Triple Classic The "Rocket Man" Starts the Year with a Win. Photo Gallery from the final race in 2004 Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!