Arrow Electronics, who helped quadriplegic team owner Sam Schmidt achieve 100mph in a modified Corvette, has been announced as the sponsor of James Hinchcliffe in the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series.
Hinchcliffe, who drives for Sam Schmidt’s Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team, will be sponsored by the company probably best known for their ‘Internet of Things Immersions’ – an event that brings together key figures in internet technologies.
Arrow also brings together innovations, such as those that saw Schmidt – who suffered a spinal cord injury in a practice crash in 2000 – drive again at the Indy Motor Speedway thanks to the use of new technology.
Schmidt is now hoping that spirit of innovation can help Hinchcliffe in 2015: “Having Arrow Electronics as a primary team sponsor is just another step in this dream come true.
“The company’s vision is perfectly aligned with SPM and INDYCAR’s key focal points: speed, innovation and technology. We look forward to an exciting race season and a great partnership for years to come.”
The company, which day-to-day makes electronic components for computers, will be revealing the livery on Hinchcliffe’s car shortly but with the Canadian having years of Andretti Autosport running, it won’t just be the livery that is different this year.
Even the number is changing this year, with the #77 changing to #5 to support Arrow’s Five Years Out initiative – supporting smarter solutions for everyday technologies.
Hinchcliffe said: “I’m very excited to drive the No. 5 Arrow Electronics car this season and set our sights on victory lane. Although the No. 77 has been part of SPM since 2011, we have an incredible opportunity to spread the word about Arrow’s Five Years Out initiative, and coincidentally, we were lucky that the No. 5 was available to further Arrow’s brand story.
“The Five Years Out philosophy shows that Arrow sets the bar high and that’s exactly what we want to do in the Verizon IndyCar Series. Competing in the most versatile racing series in the world means we’re focused on technology, which makes this partnership a natural fit.”
James Jakes will join his fellow James at SPM for 2015 and the season starts at the end of March on the streets of St Petersburg.
