Hilton International today announced a long-term corporate
partnership with Team McLaren Mercedes to commence at the 2005 Belgian Grand
Prix, round 15 of the 2005 Formula One World Championship.Today, at the legendary Spa Francorchamps circuit Team McLaren Mercedes
will display the iconic Hilton International hotel logo for the first time.
The logo will appear on the lower rear wing end plate of its two MP4-20 racing
cars driven by two of the world’s leading F1 drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Juan
Pablo Montoya.
  Hilton International’s partnership with Team McLaren Mercedes in the
Formula One World Championship supports its international growth strategy to
increase the number of hotels in new and existing markets and to position the
company firmly among the new generation of young and affluent international
travellers.
  Commenting, Ian Carter, Chief Executive of Hilton International said;
“Formula One offers a global stage of unrivalled prominence with live
broadcasts to hundreds of millions fans worldwide in 200 countries.  We
believe that Team McLaren Mercedes, an acknowledged world leader in its field,
is the ideal partner to support our growth strategy and keep our brand image
fresh and appealing.  The corporate partnership is also an opportunity for us
to build commercial alliances and to offer our customers new products and
packages.”
  Ron Dennis, Team Principal of Team McLaren Mercedes and CEO and Chairman
of the McLaren Group comments; “We are delighted to welcome Hilton
International to our team of longstanding valued corporate partners and we
look forward to driving both business success and Team McLaren Mercedes
success in the Formula One World Championships together.”
  As part of this partnership, Hilton International has launched ‘Hilton
Racing’, a complimentary membership club providing customers with a range of
benefits.  These include a Hilton Racing membership card; exclusive discounts
off select resort holidays and short breaks; ability to purchase limited
edition merchandise; access to select ‘Hilton Racing Breaks’ and access to
select ‘Hilton Racing Events’.  Customers can become a Hilton Racing member
now by visiting http://www.hilton.com/racing and completing the registration form.
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