HVM Racing Finds the Right Stride Both On and Off the Track with Successful Qualifying and Exciting New Partner
Indianapolis, IN – May 23, 2011 – Simona de Silvestro overcame the odds this weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, qualifying in 24th position on the first day of qualifying for the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, and becoming a fan favorite in the process. At the same time, HVM Racing announced a new partnership.
Heading into Pole Day, the team was cautiously optimistic. Only two days earlier, driver Simona de Silvestro was involved in a monumental crash, injuring both of her hands and destroying the team’s primary No. 78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy car.
The odds seemed stacked against de Silvestro and HVM going into qualifying weekend with less than fifty laps on track, against the toughest field of competitors in years. But perseverance has been the key word so far this season and that, coupled with an incredible amount of talent, was what the brave Swiss driver put forth on Saturday to get the job done. She endured three qualifying attempts, fighting the pain but getting faster with each outing. The first wasn’t enough to get her into the top 24 on day one. The second was, but just barely. De Silvestro found herself on the bubble and then bumped out. Finally, after a solid third run, the time stuck. Even if it was with a little help from the rain shower that just happened to douse the track just as de Silvestro faced the bubble for the second time.
On Sunday, qualifying lap times from other entrants weren’t enough to bump de Silvestro out of the field. She now looks forward to competing in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing once more.
“This has been quite a week,” de Silvestro reflects. “After Thursday’s accident, I wasn’t sure I was ready to get back into the race car. I was shaken up and didn’t know if we could find the speed in our backup car. But we did it. I want to thank Entergy for supporting me in the Nuclear Clean Air Energy car, and I’m so proud of my crew. They came through for me when I needed them most.”
Qualifying weekend isn’t the only thing HVM Racing is celebrating. The team is proud to announce a new partnership with Dr. Garçon Footwear. Created by Dr. Gregoire Garcon, a licensed podiatrist who has developed a stylish, but comfortable, line of footwear. He believes everyone should wear beautiful shoes and enjoy sneakers that fit your feet. The shoes are designed with a thin layer of cushion to provide comfort for the soles of the feet.
“I’m excited about our partnership with HVM Racing,” says Dr. Garçon. “This is the first of many sports marketing programs that will include the NFL and NBA in 2011, however I’m really looking forward to this one because we have plans to create a specially-designed shoe for both the team at HVM and Simona.”
In addition, Dr. Garçon created a foundation focused on relief efforts in Haiti. Donations and revenues from shoe sales are distributed to that foundation, as well as various other charities. As such, a portion of the proceeds from current lines, and the special-edition HVM and Simona shoes, will be donated to one of the team’s partner charities.
Dr. Garçon has indicated that the team shoes will be available later this season. In the meantime, he plans to offer various promotions for fans and supporters. The existing line of shoes is available now online at www.DrGarcon.com, along with additional information.
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