BUSINESS: Riley & Scott, Inc. Expands Into Europe
21 November 1998
Speedway, Indiana - In an effort to provide on going and consistent support to its growing European World Sports Car competitors, Riley & Scott, Inc., the American race car design and engineering manufacturer, entered into an agreement today with SMG Challenge to become its European distributorship."With the growing demand from the international sports car series', we felt that the marketplace could no longer wait for this kind of hands-on support," said Mike Croake, Product Director, Riley & Scott, Inc. "Riley & Scott has always focused on answering the needs of its customers first hand. Now we will be able to extend that same courtesy to our European clients."
Located in the Signes Industrial Area, near the Paul Ricard race circuit in the South of France, Riley & Scott-Europe will be under the direction of Thierry LeCourt and Philippe Gache. Gache and LeCourt became enthusiasts for the Riley & Scott sports car chassis through their own race effort in this year's inaugural ISRS Series and have plans to run a two car team in 1999.
"We are delighted to import Riley & Scott in Europe and to have the opportunity to make the R&S MK III better known on this side of the ocean," said Gache, co-owner, SMG Challenge. "After one season of experience racing the car, we are fully convinced that it is the best investment and value for a professional or private team. With the announcement of the 1999 specs, the car is going to be a very strong contender for Le Mans and a winning car in all the other races."
The Riley & Scott European operation is designed to handle all aspects of customer support both on and off the track. As its representative, SMG Challenge will be responsible for all distribution of Riley & Scott parts, bodywork repairs and new car sales to the European race community. Additionally, SMG Challenge will service Riley & Scott race customers trackside at all Europe race events. Thierry LeCourt will head up the overall management and administration of the company including the Corporate and Sports Marketing while Philippe Gache will oversee issues concerning the areas of Sponsors, Technical Support, Commercial Development and the Media.
"After just a year's relationship with Bob Riley, Bill Riley, Mark Scott and their entire staff, we are very proud that they have chosen us to be in charge of the Riley & Scott importation in Europe," said Thierry LeCourt, co-owner, SMG Challenge. "We are fully committed to giving all Riley & Scott customers the best service and hope to provide them a special benefit from our own racing experience with the car."
Committed to growing at the same pace as the race community that surrounds it, SMG Challenge facility will be also act as the home base for all future Riley & Scott-Europe sports car programs currently being planned by the US factory.
"We see Europe as the bridge in the growth of sports car racing world wide and are working hard to have a our own factory team presence there within the next few years," commented Bill Riley, Chief Design Engineer, Riley & Scott, Inc. "This facility provides us the perfect opportunity for future development on both the racing front as well as several other identified product areas."
For more information, call Thierry LeCourt or Philippe Gache, or write Riley & Scott-Europe c/o SMG Challenge, Chemin Bel-Air, 30650 Rochefort Du Gard, France. In the United States, contact Mike Croake or write, Riley & Scott, Inc., 1200 North Main Street, Speedway, Indiana 46224.
Riley & Scott, Inc., located in Speedway, Indiana, designs, manufacturers and engineers race cars internationally for customers competing in various forms of racing including Trans-Am, World Sports Car, Indy Racing League (IRL) and NASCAR. Riley & Scott, Inc., can be accessed on the World Wide Web at http://www.rileyscott.com
