DAVIDSON, N.C., Sept. 4, 2015 —Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR), the Official Power Tools of NASCAR®, will reveal at Darlington Raceway this weekend its vintage tool microbus, a replica of the vehicle from which the company first sold its tools to race car drivers at NASCAR tracks nearly 60 years ago. Richard Rawlings, Aaron Kaufman and the team at Gas Monkey Garage designed and built the vehicle on the chassis of a 1960’s-era Volkswagen microbus. Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, will introduce the replica at the Bojangles’ Legends Breakfast for season ticket holders on Sunday, September 6 during the Darlington Raceway’s throwback weekend.
“When Howard Hurd, an Ingersoll Rand distributor, pulled his microbus up on the shores of Daytona Beach, Florida in 1957, the relationship between Ingersoll Rand and NASCAR was born,” said Brian Welborn, global channel marketing leader for Power Tools at Ingersoll Rand. “Fast forward to today and Ingersoll Rand continues to deepen its roots in racing and spotlight the hard work of mechanics and pit crews with a robust motorsports program. Darlington Raceway’s throwback weekend is a perfect setting to celebrate our history in the sport and get a little nostalgic about the people, places and things that started us on this rewarding journey.”
The Ingersoll Rand mobile tool truck hearkens back to 1957, when Ingersoll Rand distributor Howard Hurd attended the Daytona Beach & Road Course race while on a family vacation and, upon request, sold Ingersoll Rand tools from his Volkswagen van to NASCAR teams. The following year, NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. asked Hurd to become the tool distributor for all NASCAR teams at the grand opening of the Daytona International Speedway in 1959.
The Hurd family continued to sell and repair tools from that microbus for decades, including servicing thousands of Ingersoll Rand Thunder Guns, which was added to the NASCAR Hall of Fame as part of the Heritage Speedway exhibit in January 2015. Sixty years later, the Hurd family tradition continues as Jimmy Hurd, Howard’s son, continues to support NASCAR teams each week with expert tool tuning, service and demonstrations from the Ingersoll Rand motorsports hauler.
During the throwback weekend, race teams participating in the Ingersoll Rand Power Move contingency program will display the company’s retro 1960’s logo that was originally used on Howard Hurd’s microbus.
After its debut at Darlington, the replica van will be used as a mobile showcase of Ingersoll Rand’s high-performance tools for mechanics and professionals who use tools at work, in the shop or in their home garages.
The Ingersoll Rand motorsports and racing program includes multiple sponsorships and events. The company is currently offering tool and race fans alike a chance to win an ultimate fan weekend at an upcoming NASCAR race. The Real Work. Real Play SM sweepstakes is now underway to reward one lucky winner with a one-of-a-kind, all-expense paid trip for two to Dallas November 6-9, 2015.
There the winner will attend a NASCAR race, enjoy VIP access to special events, meet Richard Rawlings of Gas Monkey Garage and more. Enter to win at www.NASCAR.com or www.realworkrealplay.com from now until September 15, 2015. Individuals must be 21 years old to enter. View the full contest rules here.
For more information on Ingersoll Rand power tools, visit www.IRTools.com or www.facebook.com/ingersollrand; or follow Ingersoll Rand on Twitter at @IRProducts or on Instagram at @IRTools.
Real Tools For Real Work.
Ingersoll Rand prides itself on developing tools for the toughest jobs technicians and operators face every day. For them, having tools they can count on to get the job done right, fast and on time is all that matters. That’s why Ingersoll Rand is constantly thinking, designing and innovating right alongside the hardest workers, so they can deliver tools for what real life demands.
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About Ingersoll Rand
Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) advances the quality of life by creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments. Our people and our family of brands — including Club Car®, Ingersoll Rand®, Thermo King® and Trane® — work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings; transport and protect food and perishables; and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. We are a $13 billion global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. Ingersoll Rand products range from complete compressed air and gas systems and services, to power tools, material handling and fluid management systems. The diverse and innovative products, services and solutions enhance our customers' energy efficiency, productivity and operations. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com or www.ingersollrandproducts.com.
Contacts:
Jennifer Hutchins, Ingersoll Rand
704-990-3188
jennifer.hutchins@irco.com
Carla Vallone, Ingersoll Rand
760-814-8194
carla.vallone@irco.com