Drops NASCAR Drivers Off In Paris For 2004 Race of Champions

NASCAR drivers Jimmie Johnson and Casey Mears Monday arrived at the Stade de France in record time, refreshed and ready to represent the United States and NASCAR at the 17th annual Race of Champions (ROC). Bombardier, a major supporter of motorsport racing, sponsored the flight.

The drivers flew directly to Paris from NASCAR's season-ending gala awards banquet in New York City with the Bombardier Transatlantic Express, a new service that capitalizes on the high-speed and long-range of the pioneering Bombardier Global business jets to connect North America and Europe faster than any civil aircraft since the Concorde.

Most of the flight was conducted at speeds exceeding March 0.88 (562 mph; 904 km/h).
"It would have been impossible to attend both the gala and also participate in the Race of Champions had we not flown in this remarkable aircraft," remarked Jimmie Johnson, who captured second place in the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season. "This is the fastest trip I've ever had across the Atlantic Ocean."

The Bombardier Transatlantic Express offers fast, flexible, world-class charter service for people whose schedules cannot be compromised. The speed and comfort of the Bombardier Global Express were necessary to meet the driver's tight schedule requirements: a midnight departure, with arrival in Paris on time and fully rested in order to participate in the race.

Bombardier calls itself a growing supporter of motorsports. It is a long-standing partner and sponsor of Kelley Racing and Marlboro Team Penske of the Indy Racing League and, in 2002, became a major sponsor of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation.

FMI: www.bombardier.com