BRASELTON, Ga. (March 9, 2011) – BBS of America will again sponsor the BBS Pole Award and BBS Pole Award Grand Prize program for the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama in 2011.

The driver recording the fastest qualifying lap in both the Gold Cup and Platinum Cup classes will be awarded a $250 BBS certificate toward the purchase of any BBS product (lap speeds in the first race of the weekend determine the positions for the second race). The Top 10 qualifiers earn points toward the year-end Grand Prize – a BBS Table Wheel with the driver’s name etched in the glass or a $1500 certificate toward the purchase of any BBS product.

Ross Smith won the Platinum Cup pole award last season with a record-setting 11 pole positions in the class, while Carlos Eduardo earned the Gold Cup class title with eight poles.

BBS of America President John Slagle looks forward to another successful racing season with the series.

“BBS of America, with its leading edge wheel product, values its partnership with Porsche and the GT3 series and we are proud to sponsor the BBS Pole Award for the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama. Through the efforts of IMSA and partners Porsche and Yokohama, this series has grown each and every year and we look forward to another stellar year of competition during the 2011 season.”

Steven Sewell, the IMSA Development Series Director, welcomes the award’s return in 2011.

“BBS has long been recognized for producing some of the best light alloy wheels available worldwide. We are very pleased to have quality partners such as BBS offering their continuing support our ultra-competitive GT3 Cup Challenge development series through their season-long Pole Award driver recognition program.”

The IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama features semi-professional drivers racing head to head in the largest single-make series in North America. Powered by one of the world’s most successful race cars, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, the multi-class structure of the series teaches drivers essential skills for an eventual career in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón.

The series is divided into two classes; the Platinum Cup, featuring the more powerful 2011 and 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, and the Gold Cup, which includes 2005½ - 2009 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. 

The first two races of the season are Thursday and Friday, March 17 and 18, before the 59^th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Live timing, news and schedule information is at www.imsachallenge.com.

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