Prime Hospitality Corp. (NYSE: PDQ), has announced that their AmeriSuites brand is entering its 5th season of association with Michael Lewis in the Trans-Am Series. For the 2003 Trans-Am series racing season, AmeriSuites will be the Associate Sponsor of the Orange and Black Jaguar XKR #12 Trans-Am Tools / AmeriSuites car.
Michael Lewis will once again perform the driving duties for the team. Lewis is a four-time SCCA national champion and has finished in the top five in 24 of 79 Trans-Am starts. In 2001, Lewis won the Johnson Controls 100 at Road America.
“I am pleased with our team`s efforts last season,” said Michael Lewis. “We have been preparing even more aggressively for 2003 and I look forward to getting back in with winners circle with the #12 Trans-Am Tools / AmeriSuites Jaguar XKR.”
The 2003 Trans-Am Series for the BF Goodrich Tires Cup consists of 11 races with venues located throughout North America. The season commences on February 23rd with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, in Florida, and finishes at the inaugural Grand Prix of Puerto Rico. Other venues of note include a return to Washington for the 2nd National Grand Prix of Washington D.C. and the traditional Memorial Day weekend race at Lime Rock Park, Connecticut. All Trans-Am series races will be shown exclusively on the SPEED Channel starting this Sunday at 5:30 pm EST with the Grand Prix of Saint Petersburg.
“It is very exciting for AmeriSuites to be part of the longest-running road racing series in North America,” said Jim Gard, Vice President of Marketing for Prime Hospitality Corp., parent company of AmeriSuites. “The extensive TV coverage will result in great awareness and recognition for the AmeriSuites brand.”
Prime Hospitality Corp.(R), one of the nation`s premiere lodging companies, owns, manages, develops and franchises over 240 hotels throughout the United States. Prime Hospitality owns and operates three proprietary brands, AmeriSuites(R) (all-suites), Wellesley Inns & Suites(R) (limited-service) and Prime Hotels and Resorts(SM) (full-service). Also within Prime Hospitality`s portfolio are owned and/or managed hotels operated under franchise agreements with national hotel chains including Hilton, Radisson, Sheraton, Holiday Inn and Ramada. Prime can be accessed over the internet at http://www.primehospitality.com and its brands can be accessed at http://www.amerisuites.com and http://www.wellesleyonline.com
——-