Champion System, the New York-based full service custom apparel and accessory manufacturer, has entered into an agreement with the International Hot Rod Association to become the sanctioning body’s “Official Uniform Supplier.” The company has also acquired title sponsorship rights to IHRA’s seven-event 2009 Sportsman Nationals schedule.

“This is a perfect fit for us and an ideal situation for Champion System,” IHRA director of contingency and inside sales Kurt Oberholtzer said. “They have a product with outstanding quality that is very affordable, something our race teams will be able to take advantage of. Plus, they are an active company with aggressive leadership who wanted to branch out from their traditional role in cycling to brand their company in motor sports applications. We’re pleased they chose IHRA as their platform to do this.”

Champion System president Scott Kaylin thinks his company will blend in with IHRA immediately.

“IHRA wants to have a professional image as a company and we’re all about that,” Kaylin said. “This partnership is a very good fit.”

Kaylin has specific reasons he wanted to work with IHRA, citing Champion System’s background and the company’s roots.

“We started our business in cycling so we’re new to motor sports, but they are very similar in that both cycling and motor sports, especially drag racing, are sponsor-driven,” he said. “It’s a unique challenge to incorporate multiple sponsors into a uniform, but this is a challenge we have been meeting for a long time with our cycling background. Our transition into drag racing should be relatively seamless. This is a perfect fit for us.”

Champion System will provide IHRA officials with the uniforms they will be wearing at all 2009 Nitro Jam national events, Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am events and all Champion System Sportsman Nationals presented by VP Racing Fuels events. The company will also be looking to build a client base consisting of IHRA competitors…particularly at the sportsman level.

“We wanted to get involved with IHRA because of their dedication and attention to the sportsman drag racer,” Kaylin said. “Because of our business model and experience we will be able to offer affordable garments and uniforms to the sportsman and professional teams. We want to make the sportsman racers look and feel like professionals when it comes to what they wear in competition.”

For more information on Champion System or to see what the company has to offer, visit its website at www.champ-sys.com.