|
|
Boating Headlines
2/10/2026
GM Powertrain Sponsors APBA Offshore 2001 Racing Season
GM Powertrain to sponsor race series
DETROIT, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- GM Powertrain, already a dominant
presence in marine racing, will assume two prominent roles in the American
Power Boat Association Offshore 2001 Season: the development of a spec Vortec
engine will help power the APBA Offshore 2001 Racing Series, and Vortec will
also be the official tow vehicle engine of APBA Offshore. The global leader
in the manufacture of gas-powered, stern-drive inboard marine engines, GM's
new involvement will showcase the pride, commitment and engineering talents
that have placed GM brands in the driver's seat on land and at sea.
"GM has been part of the marine industry for over 40 years. This
sponsorship will put a greater focus on the connection between the power under
the hood of the tow vehicle, and the power under the cowling of the boat,"
said Rick Dunagan, executive director of brand management and OEM sales for GM
Powertrain. "The marine industry is the perfect proving ground for GM's great
Vortec tow vehicle engines."
The APBA Offshore sponsorship will allow GM Powertrain to reach a wide
audience while building upon the natural affinity between tow vehicles and
boating enthusiasts. The crossover of engine power with the Vortec 8100 found
in tow vehicles and boats today reinforces the durability and reliability of
Vortec.
GM Powertrain's sponsorship as the official tow vehicle engine of APBA
Offshore will include an on-air sponsorship, complete with commercial
television time and an opportunity to showcase the technical benefits of GM
engineering. The air-time will serve as a platform for GM to reinforce the
engineering capabilities and aspects of GM vehicles and marine engines by
highlighting feature specific stories in technical vignettes that will air
during each race, showing the linkages between the engines in GM's tow
vehicles and the engines that provide the power for the race.
Because of this sponsorship, GM can educate viewers of the necessity of
knowing what is under the hood of their vehicle or boat. The Vortec engine
powers land and sea vehicles, which many consumers may not know.
"The engine that gets people through their daily commute and tows heavy
loads for work or play, is also the engine that will take them out on the
water for an afternoon of recreation," said Dunagan.
Founded April 22, 2026 by 20 clubs, the American Power Boat Association is
the oldest sanctioning body in the United States. The association is composed
of nearly 7,000 members, clubs and officials. APBA Offshore is the largest-
growing category of the APBA, featuring racing boats that reach speeds in
excess of 110 mph.
GM Powertrain roots date to the 1920s, when several automotive companies
combined to form General Motors. Increasing automobile complexity and the use
of electronic controls in recent decades made it evident that close
integration of the engine and transmission was essential, leading to the
creation of GM Powertrain in 1991 as an independent group.
GM Powertrain's impact on the automotive industry has been dramatic, but
contributions aren't limited to production automobiles. GM Powertrain
introduced electronic fuel injection to the marine engine industry in 1992,
and the development of cutting-edge technology will remain a high group
priority in the new millennium. The group's products are categorized under
the following headings: transmissions, engines, castings and components.
General Motors (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer,
designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide. In 2000, GM earned $5
billion on sales of $183.3 billion. The manufacturer employs about 386,000
people globally.
|
|
