Park Place Texas

On four wheels or two, Park Place leads the pack

2009-10-02

Park Place Dealerships has long been known for excellence on four wheels.
Now the luxury automotive group is out front on two wheels as a local cycling team races in support of charitable causes. Park Place Dealerships is the title sponsor of the Dallas Racing cycling team.



Park Place always looks for ways to stay engaged with our community, and highlight causes that are important to our clients, said Rob Sumner, director of marketing for Park Place Dealerships and a member of the Dallas Racing team. Cycling is an activity that appeals to our clients, and so do the charitable causes that benefit from the races in which our team participates.

Sponsorship is important for cycling teams. Dallas Racing, comprised of 30 riders, relies on sponsorships to defray the cost of team uniforms ? which can be very expensive ? and pays for racing team licenses, entry fees to races and travel expenses for team members.

Park Place Lexus had been a sponsor of Dallas Racing for several years, but the sponsorship was expanded this year to include the entire Park Place Dealership group. In addition, Dallas Racing is supported by Dallas Bike Works, Dallas Medal Fab, Dr. Ed Wilkinson, and Pete's House Production.

Naturally, we love cars at Park Place, said Jorge Merle, a service technician at Park Place Lexus Plano, who organizes the team, the cyclists, and the paperwork. But we also like the idea of raising money for charities, while also promoting cycling, which is very eco-friendly ? and we love to race. To stay in shape, Jorge rides to and from Park Place Lexus Plano every day for work, a 10 mile ride each way from his home in Garland.

Dallas Racing will compete in approximately 80 races in 2009, some of which benefit various charitable causes. Most recently, the team competed in the TX Tough race in downtown Dallas benefiting Children's Medical Center. The rising popularity of cycling events has helped promote this healthy, environmentally-friendly activity across the state.

Support from Park Place also allows Dallas Racing to grow the team and attract premier riders such as Bryan Fawley, a nationally ranked cyclist who joined the team this year. Sanctioned by the U.S. Cycling Federation, Dallas Racing seeks to recruit top talent. More information about Dallas Racing is online at www.dallasracing.org.

Founded in 1987, Park Place Dealerships represents luxury brands in Texas and California including smart, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Lexus, Volvo, Maserati, Bentley and Rolls-Royce.