CREATING a legacy,

while on a journey to break barriers is a fortune that is a privilege for a very few. This journey cannot be embarked on without great courage, discipline and sacrifice. Simona De Silvestro has been blessed with such a fortune and is persevering on her path to changing the perception of a sport in its entirety. Female athletes of all sporting disciplines are in a constant battle with commercial forces to compromise their class and digintity in order to satisfy a male dominated marketplace. Simona's quest is to shatter the stereotypes, leap beyond the barriers and truly be a role model for young women across the globe. Having been gifted with a talent that allows her to compete in one of only two multi-gender sports in the entire world (Horse Racing & Motor Racing), the stage has been set for Simona to make her statement and mark. Come, help her persevere. Come, be a part in the making of a Champion! Read More

From the moment she climbed into a GO-KART

at the age of six, barley able to reach the pedals, Simona De Silvestro was destined to be behind the wheel of a race car. Fast forward to 2010, the native of Thun, Switzerland is driving the # 78 Stargate Resistance car in the IZOD IndyCar Series with Team Stargate Worlds/HVM Racing.

IZODIndyCar Series

In 1911, 14 cars and drivers showed up to race 500 miles around a track paved with bricks. Nearly a century later, the Indianapolis 500 is not just the biggest single day sporting event in the world, but one of the most coveted prizes in all motorsport.

The great race gave rise to the Indy Racing League, which was born with the vision to bring the tradition and spectacle of the Indy 500 to races around the country and around the globe. Today the IZOD IndyCar Series, as it is now officially known, is a diverse mix of races on oval, street and road courses, which in 2010 will include stops in Brazil and Japan in addition to races from coast-to-coast in the U.S.

On the ovals, wheel-to-wheel battles at 215 mph are routine, while on the street and road courses, it can come down to the driver that waits longest before braking into a corner to make the pass. Either way, these races are a showcase of aggression, finesse and strategy undertaken at warp speeds.

2010 marks the first year of a six year partnership that sees apparel brand IZOD join the series as its title partner. A division of Philips-Van Heusen Corp, the partnership is a cornerstone of the series marketing strategy to reach an audience beyond the life-long core enthusiast that is younger and more mainstream.

Already IZOD has helped the series by expanding its TV footprint on both endemic sports broadcasting and lifestyle related programming. Greater cross promotion with programming on ABC/ESPN, Versus, E! and Style networks will play a key role as the direct result of leveraging existing paid media commitments. Moreover, IndyCar drivers and cars will form a significant foundation in all IZOD promotional materials.