The six-car effort will include three Rolex Series Daytona Prototypes and three Grand- Am Cup cars, which will debut at the 2006 Rolex 24 At Daytona show and will run through the conclusion of the 2008 season.
"Playboy, in its 50-year history, has never participated in professional auto racing at this level," TCR CEO Tommy Constantine said. "Our partnership is a testament to this racing series and our program. The Playboy brand is an American icon and we are proud to be a part of it."
TCR will also partner with Uniden Electronics, The Palms Resort & Casino and Vonage.
The #19 Playboy/Uniden/Palms Ford Crawford Daytona Prototype will be piloted by Memo Gidley and Michael McDowell, with IndyCar driver Alex Barron joining them for the season premiere Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Playboy, Vonage and The Palms will support the #89 Pontiac Riley Daytona Prototype entry, which will be driven by Alex Figge and Ryan Dalziel. They will be complemented by Jon Fogarty and 2005 Grand-Am Cup Champion David Empringham for the Rolex 24 At Daytona event.
"We are thrilled to announce this partnership with TCR and to enter the exciting world of auto racing," Playboy Senior Vice President of Corporate Marketing Lisa Natale said. "Both Playboy fans and racing fans are enthusiastic and passionate, so we view this partnership as a perfect branding opportunity for us. We are looking forward to the season and to working with TCR to ensure all divisions of Playboy Enterprises can participate in this tremendous program."
The #15 Playboy/Palms Ford Mustang GT Grand-Am Cup car will be driven by Rob Finlay and Michael McDowell. The #35 Playboy Nissan 350Z will be driven by Tommy Constantine and Mike Borkowski and the #33 Playboy Nissan 350Z will be driven by Blake Rosser and David Murry in the Grand-Am Cup Series.
The program will include exclusive guest appearances by Playboy Playmates at each of the races and Playboy-sponsored VIP "After Race" events.
"Playboy is one of the world's most recognizable brands and we are thrilled that this innovative partnership has developed," Grand American Road Racing Association President Roger Edmondson said.
