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Porsche Introduces New High-Tech Tennis Racquets

24 November 1998

Porsche Introduces New High-Tech Tennis Racquets

    ATLANTA, Nov. 23 -- Porsche, the world's top manufacturer of
sports cars, has taken to the tennis courts, it was announced here today.
    As part of its 1999 model year Selection lifestyle accessory range,
Porsche Cars North America recently debuted two high-tech tennis racquets
which incorporate the same principles and materials used in its championship
race cars.
    The Porsche Pro and Porsche Pro Plus tennis racquets feature innovations
in engineering and design specifically targeted to improve control and ball
speed.  Both racquets use an unprecedented blend of carbon fiber graphite and
kevlar to enhance frame rigidity and power as well as a special string
configuration that enlarges the string-bed area.  The same construction
technique used in the carbon-fiber body panels of the Le Mans-winning Porsche
911 GT1 was utilized on the racquets.
    "It's only natural that a company like Porsche has become involved in
tennis," said Joel Ewanick, Porsche Cars North America's Director of
Marketing.  "A large percentage of our customers are tennis enthusiasts.
These racquets reflect the technology and engineering of a Porsche."
    Porsche entered into an agreement with the world's top builder of pure-
performance tennis racquets -- Volkl -- to manufacture the Porsche Pro and
Porsche Pro Plus.  The Austrian firm's racquets have been used by such
notables as John McEnroe, Petr Korda and Felix Mantilla.
    The Porsche Pro (with 96 square inch head) and Porsche Pro Plus
(with 102 square inch head) will be offered with fitted cover and three
available grip sizes.  The racquets will be sold by authorized Porsche dealers
throughout North America and via Porsche's Selection catalog (1-800-PORSCHE).
Suggested retail price for each racquet is $275.