Newman/Haas Racing lands McDonalds sponsorship.

Newman/Haas Racing revealed its 2004 team colours during the Champ Car Preview in Long Beach, and confirmed that Bruno Junqueira and Sebastian Bourdais would return as its drivers.

While Junqueira will retain his 2003 sponsor Pacificare, however, Bourdais will run the entire season with new McDonalds colours on his car.

The team has once again nailed down a solid sponsorship package with a three-year deal from McDonald's that highlights the 'Newman's Own' line of salad dressings the fast food giant uses with its line of healthy salads. Bourdais' race car will feature graphics of McDonald's Golden Arches and the Premium Salads logo.

"I'm delighted that McDonald's has extended the family relationship to include, not only Newman's Own salad dressings, but to also embrace our Newman/Haas Racing family," said team co-owner Paul Newman.

Bourdais immediately gave McDonalds a great return on its part-time investment, with a victory in the company's first race as sponsor at Cleveland last year. This year, the Frenchman is one of the favourites to compete for the championship, and McDonalds could reap the benefits with its full-time association.

"As our relationship with Newman's Own continues to expand in our restaurants, this sponsorship with Newman/Haas gives us another exciting extension to support our partnership," confirmed McDonald's director of alliances, John Lewicki.

Junqueira and Newman/Haas are in the second year of a three-year deal with Pacificare.

One of the US's largest consumer health organisations, Pacificare entered the motorsports arena with its sponsorship of both NHR and the Champ Car races in Long Beach, Denver and Milwaukee. This year, the company will serve as associate sponsor of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on 18 April and as official sponsor of the Centrix Financial Grand Prix of Denver in August.

In addition, PacifiCare will also extend its role as the exclusive and 'official healthcare provider' for the entire 2004 Champ Car World Series.

"We were impressed not only with PacifiCare's sponsorship of the Champ Car World Series, but also its presence both on and off the racetrack," said team owner Carl Haas.

In addition to its race-related activities, PacifiCare has planned charity programmes that will support Dream Foundation and The Painted Turtle Camp, both of which have links with NHR.

The company will donate $150,000 to Dream Foundation and will also grant 'Race Dreams' to terminally ill guests of the charity at six of the race events this year.

It will also donate $1.5million to The Painted Turtle Camp, the most recent addition to Paul Newman's family of Hole in the Wall Camps for children with serious illnesses and life-threatening conditions.

"PacifiCare's race-related charitable activities reinforce its commitment of caring by doing," said Newman, "The generous support PacifiCare is providing The Painted Turtle Camp will help us offer children with serious illnesses and life-threatening conditions a place to go where they can just be themselves. I appreciate PacifiCare's support, and I know that the kids do also."

"PacifiCare's generous support of our shared philanthropic endeavours showed us that it is a company that backs up its words with action," concluded Haas, "We look forward to a victorious 2004 series for PacifiCare and Newman/Haas Racing."