LEXINGTON, Ohio—The owner of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has selected Cooper Tire as the official tire of both the racing circuit and its associated Mid-Ohio School.
The move replaces Goodyear, which had been the circuit's official tire for the past couple of years.
As the exclusive tire supplier, Cooper will be used on the Mid-Ohio School's fleet of Honda and Acura vehicles, including pace cars and service vehicles. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Cooper also will have a presence throughout the grounds of the 2.4-mile, 15-turn Mid-Ohio race course, with signage at the front stretch crossover bridge and the five-story tower that sits at the start/finish line, housing the facility's media center and hospitality suites.
Calling Cooper Tire a “valued partner,” Craig Rust, president of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and the Mid-Ohio School, said, “Cooper brings with them a great history of product quality and performance, in addition to a commitment to motorsports.
“Mid-Ohio is an excellent platform for Cooper to showcase its ultra-high-performance racing products on the track, while exposing the Cooper brand to a large audience of motorsports fans.”
The change took effect July 30 during the racing venue's IndyCar/Pirelli World Challenge race weekend.
Cooper recently disclosed it had agreed to become the presenting sponsor of the IndyCar driver development series, now known as the Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires.
Chris Pantani, Cooper's director of motorsports, sponsorships and event marketing, said the company is excited to have its brand represented at this “iconic road course” that's virtually in the backyard of Cooper's global headquarters in Findlay, Ohio.”
Mid-Ohio said it will fit all of its driving school vehicles with Cooper's recently launched Zeon RS3-G1 ultra-high-performance tires.
The Mid-Ohio School provides professional driving and riding instruction to drivers and motorcyclists of all skill levels, and has produced close to 54,000 graduates to date.
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course opened in 1962 and is owned and operated by Green Savoree Mid-Ohio L.L.C.