Dodge Brand Teams Up With Hart and Huntington Racing, Famed Freestyle Motocross Star and Team Owner Carey Hart

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Dec 10, 2010, 04:16 ET

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ --

Carey Hart brings his vast riding skills and marketing prowess to Chrysler Group's performance vehicle brand
Dodge named title sponsor and official automotive partner of Hart and Huntington Racing Supercross racing efforts

The Dodge brand today announced its three-year partnership with high-flying freestyle motocross athlete and team owner Carey Hart, and the Hart and Huntington Racing team. Dodge will be the title sponsor and official automotive partner for the team's racing efforts in the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Supercross, World GP Supercross and ESPN's X Games.

The brand will have a significant at-track presence at major Supercross events throughout 2011. Dodge logos will appear on all team assets including haulers, motorcycles, tents, team personnel uniforms, athlete's equipment and riding apparel, and all Hart and Huntington custom branded team vehicles, including the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango, all-new Dodge Charger and the new Dodge Challenger.

In addition, fully integrated marketing and social media campaigns, as well as custom co-branded lifestyle content and videos will be distributed via Dodge's online efforts throughout the year.

"This partnership with the Hart and Huntington Racing team helps Dodge to expand our marketing reach as a performance-based brand," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Dodge Car Brand. "The brand is launching six all-new or significantly updated 2011 products that showcase our commitment to performance. We're looking forward to the 2011 Supercross season so we can bring our vehicles to a new enthusiast crowd that cares about performance just as much as we do."

Carey Hart Fits With Dodge Performance

One of the most recognized names in all of freestyle motocross, Hart began riding his first motocross bike when he was only 4 years old. By the time he entered his first local motocross race as an amateur, he was hooked and by the time of his high school graduation, Hart had found his true life passion by competing as a professional motocross rider in AMA Supercross.

"It's great for the sport of motocross to have a performance vehicle brand like Dodge cross over into our world," Hart said. "I know that our team is going to work very hard at making a huge statement in the series next year."

A native of Las Vegas, Hart is well known for leading the freestyle motocross movement that began around 1998. As one of the most innovative riders in the sport, he is the inventor of the "Hart Attack" and at the 2000 Gravity Games Carey etched his name in the record books as the first rider ever to complete a back flip on a 250cc motorcycle. The back flip catapulted Hart and freestyle motocross as a whole, to an entirely new level.

His popularity before and since has helped increase worldwide exposure for freestyle motocross.

In 2004, Hart's passion for tattoos turned into a business venture when Hart and Huntington Tattoo Co. opened its doors in Las Vegas. This move led to his work on the A&E network reality show called "Inked," featuring the inner workings of the tattoo shop.

Hart also has expanded his business ventures into a quality clothing line based on the designs of the artists who work at Hart and Huntington Tattoo.

Dodge Brand Moving to new Venues

The AMA Supercross is one of the premier motorcycle off-road racing series in the world with events broadcast on CBS and the Speed networks. Races are held in large stadiums on man-made dirt tracks consisting of steep jumps and various obstacles. Supercross fans are extremely passionate, loyal and influenced heavily by their favorite sports and brands.

For 2011, Hart and Huntington Racing will run two full-time teams featuring riders Ivan Tedesco from Tallahassee, Fla., and Chris Blose from Phoenix, both riding Kawasaki 450 cc motorcycles. The 17-race 2011 AMA Supercross season kicks off on Jan. 8 in Anaheim, Calif.

The Hart and Huntington team also is expected to compete in X Games competition in 2011.

For more information on Carey Hart and Hart and Huntington Racing, including Hart discussing the new partnership with Dodge, see the following links:

http://www.redletterdodge.com/2010/12/10/kicking-up-dirt-with-hart-and-huntington/

http://www.racerxonline.com/video/video.aspx?VideoId=Carey-Hart-11-10-10

Dodge fans can follow the brand via: www.redletterdodge.com; www.facebook.com/dodge and the brand's Twitter handle (@dodge).

About Dodge

Dodge is a full line of cars, minivans and SUVs that are agile, daring, sensible and inventive. The brand is on a tear for the 2011 model year, redefining itself with six all-new or significantly redesigned new vehicles, introducing new lifestyle packages designed to better meet the needs of its customers, launching catchy new ads that have started conversations with owners and potential owners, actively participating in new events and sponsorships and developing relationships with its long-loyal enthusiast base, as well as reaching out to customers who desire cars that leave them wanting more.

The 2011 Dodge product line includes the Dodge Caliber, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey and Dodge Nitro. Between the end of 2010 and early 2011, the brand will fill dealer showrooms with a vast array of new and updated products. The all-new Dodge Durango will lead the charge, followed by the all-new Dodge Charger and significantly revamped Grand Caravan, Journey, Avenger and Challenger.

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Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chrysler

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SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC