Octane Racing Group announces Mercedes-Benz Canada as an official sponsor of
the 2010 Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix

TORONTO, June 8 /CNW/ - Octane Racing Group and Mercedes-Benz Canada today announced that Mercedes-Benz Canada will be an official sponsor and the exclusive automotive sponsor of the 2010 Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, which will be held from June 10 - 13, 2010 in Montreal.

Mercedes-Benz has a strong connection to the world of racing and motorsports, and the company is delighted to play an integral role at the Canadian Grand Prix as it makes its highly anticipated return to Montreal. Whether on the road or competing on the track, Mercedes-Benz design principles offer extraordinary performance, impressive handling and inherent safety. As a result, Mercedes-Benz and AMG vehicles have recorded countless sales successes and racing victories throughout the years.

Mercedes-Benz Canada has celebrated the Canadian Grand Prix by hosting numerous off-track and off-site activities for many years. This year, it is pleased to significantly heighten its involvement and visibility on site through special display opportunities including: prominent vehicle exhibitions at the Élite Suites complex, and a main showcase area in the middle of the circuit that will include a selection of the latest high-performance AMG models, including the new SLS AMG.

In addition, Mercedes-Benz is also proud to be a presenting sponsor of "The Grand Evening". This Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix opening gala will be chaired by Bernie Ecclestone and Michael Fortier. Held at Windsor Station Thursday June 10, it will also celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the F1 World Championship, and all proceeds from the evening will benefit the CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital Foundation and the Montréal Sacré-Coeur Hospital Foundation.

A Canadian company established in Montréal, Octane Racing Group Inc. is the promoter of the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix by virtue of an agreement made with Formula One Administration Limited and Formula 1 World Championship Limited (together the holder of commercialization rights to F1).

Spectators attending the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix will also notice that Mercedes-Benz, AMG and smart vehicles will play a prominent role in all aspects of the event as they will be driven by organizing staff and officials throughout the weekend. For instance, a CLS63 AMG and a C63 AMG will be used as pace cars for support races while M-Class and GL-Class Sport Utility vehicles will function as rapid intervention vehicles. smart fortwos will be driven by the organizing committee, and several C-Class and E-Class sedans will also be used by the race support staff such as Doctors, Race Directors, Course Clerks, Safety Coordinators, and Race Stewards. In addition, the fuel efficient and spacious Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 11-seat passenger van will also have an important responsibility as the official media shuttle and circuit services vehicle.

"We are delighted to have Mercedes-Benz as a key partner for the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix and we thank this prestigious car manufacturer for their confidence and their enthusiasm toward our event," said François Dumontier, President of Octane Racing Group Inc. and of the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix." Not only Mercedez-Benz will be a very important supplier for the racing portion of our event, with the display of their spectacular and technologically advanced vehicles, they will surely be a crowd pleaser throughout the weekend."

"The Grand Prix du Canada is an incredibly important event for the city of Montreal. It is a source of great pride for racing fans across the country and we are delighted to be a sponsor of this world-class sporting event in its comeback year," said Marcus Breitschwerdt, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. "Mercedes-Benz is very proud of its triumphant racing heritage that began in 1923 and of its strong association to F1 over the course of many decades, including providing the Official F1 Safety Car and the Official F1 Medical Car for the last 14 years. We are thrilled to help shine the spotlight on the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix and to be right in the middle of all the action, excitement and tradition that is F1 in Canada."

About Mercedes-Benz Canada

Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the four brands within the Mercedes-Benz Group in Canada: Mercedes-Benz, smart, AMG, and Maybach. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,250 people in 19 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 14 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 39 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 26,942 vehicles in 2009, the best year ever reported for Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.

Further information from Mercedes-Benz is available on the internet at: www.media.mercedes-benz.ca

For further information: Mercedes-Benz Canada, JoAnne Caza, [phone], [email protected]; Michael Minielly, [phone], [email protected]; Octane Management, Celina Machado, [phone] Ext. 242, [email protected]