Makita Accelerates Racing Partnerships, Becomes Official Power Tool Sponsor of Championship Off Road Racing

Makita U.S.A., Inc., manufacturer of high quality industrial power tools and accessories, has become the Official Power Tool Sponsor of Championship Off Road Racing (CORR). Makita has also become a sponsor of longtime CORR Series racers Team LeDuc, creating Rockstar Makita Team LeDuc Racing. Both sponsorships are an extension of the brand’s growing presence in live race events.

CORR brings high action, four-wheel motorsports – including 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive trucks – to the closed course off road arena. The 2008 CORR season includes eight events at tracks in Los Angeles/Pomona, San Diego/Chula Vista, and Las Vegas/Primm, NV. The 2008 CORR races are scheduled to be broadcast on the NBC and SPEED Networks.

Both Makita and CORR are looking forward to plenty of fast-paced action in the 2008 season.

“When it comes to closed course off road racing, CORR delivers the very best product,” said Brent Withey, Makita senior brand manager. “CORR has the best promotion, the best drivers, and ultimately, the best action. We’re excited to be the official power tool sponsor of this great race series.”

“CORR is proud to welcome Makita as the Official Power Tool of the 2008 race season,” said Cissy Baldwin, CORR COO. “We are looking forward to leveraging CORR with the powerful Makita brand. During an emergency repair on live television there’s no time for equipment failure, that’s why you’ll only see Makita Industrial Power Tools in the hands of our crew.”

In a separate sponsorship, Makita joined Rockstar Energy Drink and LeDuc Racing to form Rockstar Makita Team LeDuc Racing. The new Rockstar Makita Team LeDuc Racing will consist of drivers Curt and Kyle LeDuc in the Pro-4 class, Todd LeDuc in the Pro-2 class, and Brian Deegan in the Pro-LITE class. The family race team has been a fixture in CORR with 16 wins and 11 championships in the CORR Pro-4 class.

“We’re happy to be a part of this amazing race series with Rockstar and LeDuc Racing.” said Withey. “The LeDucs build their own trucks, and they race their own trucks. They’re the best family race team in the business.”

The new partnership has energized the LeDucs for the 2008 CORR season and beyond.

“Desert racing is what we do, seven-days-a-week,” said Curt LeDuc. “With our new partnership with Makita and Rockstar, we have the drivers, the tools, and the experience to make some big impact in the CORR Series in 2008.”

For Makita, the partnership with Rockstar and LeDuc Racing is a natural step in its growing presence in racing and action sports.

“Makita industrial quality power tools are engineered for professional tool users,” said Withey. “We know that pro tool users work hard, and we also know that racing and action sports are a big part of their lives off the jobsite. So you’ll continue to see Makita on jobsites across America, but you’ll also see Makita at Supercross, Motocross, Superbike, and ATV races, as well as off-road at CORR events.”

Makita is already a fixture on both the AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross Series. This year Makita and Suzuki teamed up with Rockstar to form Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing. The team debuted in January at the AMA Supercross season opener in Anaheim, where team rider Ryan Dungey won the Supercross Lites class race. The team will race in the upcoming 2008 AMA Motocross Series. Rockstar Makita Suzuki is also a sponsor of ATV and Superbike teams.

Makita is also the Official Tool Sponsor of Major League Soccer (MLS), as well as the Mexican National Soccer Team (FMF) for their games played in the US.

About CORR
Championship Off Road Racing brings high action, four wheel motorsports including 2-wheel-drive and 4-wheel-drive trucks to the closed course off road arena. The 2008 Championship Off Road Racing’s race season includes eight events at tracks located in Los Angeles, CA, San Diego, CA, and Primm, NV.

About LeDuc Racing
For more information on LeDuc Racing, contact Jim Short at (951)203-2649, or email jimshort65@sbcglobal.net.

About Makita USA
Makita USA, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of over 450 professional, industrial quality power tools and has over 5,000 industrial accessories. Makita’s LXT Lithium-Ion is backed by Makita’s new three-year warranty and all other Makita tools are covered by a one-year limited warranty against defects in materials or workmanship and may be serviced at any of our 25 factory service centers or by more than 1,000 authorized service centers nationwide. Makita USA, Inc.’s home office is located in La Mirada, CA, and operates an extensive distribution network located throughout the U.S. Makita is located at 14930 Northam St., La Mirada, CA 90638. For more information, contact us at 1-800-4-MAKITA (1-800-462-5482) or visit the website at makitatools.com