Taiwan- 14th February 2007: X Challenge announces Federal Tyres as naming rights sponsor and official tyre supplier to Australia 2007 X Challenge one make series for Lotus cars.

CEO of Federal Corporation, Jamie Ma announced that the debut season of the X Challenge would be backed by Federal Tyres who would also be the official tyre supplier to the series.

"It is a great pleasure for Federal tyre to sponsor this year's X challenge. Lotus is one of the most respected brands in the car industry, having thousands of customers enjoying driving pleasure from every sharply designed Lotus. While 595RS, a popular product of Federal tyre's motorsport family, is also sharply designed in its appearance and performance. With Lotus powered by the 595RS, the 2007 X challenge is going to open your eyes and give you a whole new experience".

X Challenge will run on Federal's latest development: new 595RS X Challenge Special Edition tyres. It has a bright X Challenge mark on the sidewall that expresses the aggressive combat oriented image. Powerful upgraded, brand new semi-slick, sport competition 595RS with enhanced sidewall customized for X Challenge- specially designed for exceptional stiffness, enhancing traction and grip while extreme cornering and optimizing power transition during sharp braking and accelerating.

Jamie Ma went on to say;

"Federal has been a tyre manufacturer for more than half a century and we served the Australian customers since the 1980's. This long term relationship is one of which we are immensely proud. I am delighted to say that the sponsorship of Federal 595RS for X challenge is a small way of expressing how highly we value Australian tyre users. In 2007, there will be more opportunities to strengthen this already close partnership, and we look forward to getting involved in the game because while every competitor wants more speed and control in racing to triumph, we are proud to say that Federal 595RS meets the challenge. So, Aussie, have fun with Federal tyres".

Series principal and seasoned racer Azim Sahu-Khan stated the series will be known officially as X Challenge presented by Federal Tyres powered by Lotus.

"I feel honoured to be able to give Lotus Cars Australia a brand new platform to showcase their product in the region. It is also fantastic to be able to announce such a significant naming rights sponsor in our inaugural season. This will be Federal Tyres' first foray into circuit racing in this country. I have tested the 595 RS ‘R' spec tyres and they definitely compare well the well established motorsport brands. Our unique championship format coupled with the closeness of one make racing in thoroughbred sports cars together with the support of Federal Tyres and Lotus Cars Australia will see our series go from strength to strength".

Lotus Cars Australia MD, John Startari added;

"Lotus is proud to support the 2007 X Challenge and are enthused by the professionalism shown in the development and implementation of the programme. Not only will the X Challenge provide a fresh new arena for our cars to demonstrate their racing pedigree it will also allow us to involve Lotus clubs and enthusiasts through some innovative aspects of the series"

X Challenge will run as a two day meeting under the umbrella of the Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS) with some ‘highlight' events under negotiation. The traditional Friday practice day has been replaced by a practice session and ‘regularity trial' for Lotus owners who are not competing in the X Challenge series.

Azim explains;

"The goal behind the Friday programme is to give Lotus owners who may not have the chance to take their cars onto a racing circuit a chance to participate in the meeting and share the excitement of motorsport while not having to do anything more to their car than they would at a normal supersprint meeting. Some folks may even want to ‘step up' to the X Challenge after participating in the Friday events."

The 8 round series will run across 4 states and field 3 classes of Lotus, X-1 Lotus Exige S Challenge, X-2 Lotus Exige, X-3 Lotus Elise. The classes are effectively 3 independent championships with cars grouped on the grid in relation to results of their respective class rather than overall times.

At the end of the season the winners of each class with go into a time trial ‘shoot out' (the X Challenge) in equal (yet to be identified) cars to decide the ultimate winner of the series and the driver who will receive a test in a Carrera Cup car with Sherrin Motorsport.

X Challenge also has a unique scoring system and a set of awards for drivers 40 years and over as well as 35 years and under.

Note: X Challenge is in no way associated with the previous Lotus Trophy or it's operators.