Textron Makes it Possible for Robby
Gordon to ‘Do the Double’
A Cessna Citation Business Jet and Two
Bell Helicopters allow world-renowned driver to race in Indy 500
and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day – 500 miles apart
Speed means everything to Robby Gordon, driver
of the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet – especially this Sunday
when he plans to race in both the Indianapolis 500 in Indianapolis,
Ind. and the Coca-Cola 600 in Concord, NC. To accomplish this feat,
Gordon turned to Textron (NYSE: TXT) to provide the speed he needs
to get from one race to the other in less than two hours. Three
aircraft from Textron companies Cessna Aircraft and Bell Helicopter
will fly Gordon from the infield at Indy to the infield at the 600.
When the Indy wraps up around 3:30 pm ET on Sunday, Gordon will
board a Bell 430 helicopter and fly to the Indianapolis airport
where he will board a Cessna Citation X, the world’s fastest business
jet. The Citation X will take him to the Concord Regional Airport
in Concord, NC, a distance of 500 miles in approximately 55 minutes.
While on the jet, Gordon will receive intravenous fluids to restore
those lost during the Indy and a nurse will be present to ensure
he is physically prepared to race the Coca-Cola 600. From Concord
Airport, Gordon will take a Bell 407 to the infield of the Lowe’s
Motor Speedway in time to start the Coca-Cola 600 at 5:30 pm ET.
"Time is of the essence for me Sunday, not only in the races,
but in getting from Indy to the 600. I can count on the speed and
reliability of Bell and Cessna to get me there in time," said
Gordon, who drives for Richard Childress Racing. "Racing is
my business, and business flight is their business – together we’ll
be the fastest team in the world on Sunday."
The Bell 430 and Bell 407 are the leading Bell Helicopter products
used for corporate transportation. The 430, the helicopter of choice
in the corporate market, is a twin-engine eight passenger aircraft.
It has a range of 400 miles at speeds up to 160 mph. The 407 is
a single engine six passenger aircraft and is flown by many busy
sports executives. It travels at 150 mph at a range of 375 miles.
Both are used extensively for corporate travel, saving executives
valuable time while allowing them to ride in secure, reliable comfort.
The Cessna Citation X has an operating speed of Mach .92 (over 600
mph), and travels one mile in six seconds. First announced in 1990,
the Citation X was certified in 1996. It climbs to 43,000 feet in
31 minutes, and is certified to 51,000 feet. The Citation X offers
a full-length, stand-up cabin. Currently, there are over 200 Citation
X’s in the fleet with over 300,000 hours flown.
"We’re excited to support Robby’s efforts on Sunday. It is
quite a physical and mental challenge to race 1100 miles in one
day. Reliability and speed are fundamental to our business and our
customers and there is no tougher customer on those subjects than
a racecar driver," said Steve Loranger, Textron’s chief operating
officer.
Jacobsen, another Textron company and a leading provider of professional
turf care equipment around the world, is also involved in the Coca-Cola
600 race this Sunday. The infield at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway is
groomed by Jacobsen LF-3400 lightweight fairway mowers manufactured
in nearby Charlotte, NC. No stranger to major sporting events such
as these, Jacobsen-brand equipment is used to maintain the turf
on more than 60 percent of all PGA Tour stops, many of the major
league baseball and football stadiums, and a variety of other venues,
such as Universal Studios theme park and resort in Orlando, FL.
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Company, is a $1.6 billion, leading producer
of commercial and military helicopters, and the pioneer of the revolutionary
tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognized for customer service, innovation
and superior quality, Bell’s global workforce of over 7,000 employees
serves customers flying Bell aircraft in over 120 countries. More
information is available at www.bellhelicopter.com.
Cessna Aircraft Company, a $3.2 billion unit of Textron, is the
world’s largest manufacturer of light and mid-size business jets,
utility turboprops and single-engine piston aircraft. Cessna has
more than 10,000 employees worldwide and in its 75-year history
has delivered more than 184,000 aircraft. More information is available
at www.cessna.com.
Jacobsen’s professional turf care equipment includes mowers, tractors,
aerators, overseeders, dethatchers, sod cutters, power rakes and
haulers. The company manufactures a full range of vehicles and turf
maintenance equipment for golf, turf, professional lawn care, sports
field, municipal and industrial applications. The company markets
Bob-Cat(R), Brouwer(R), Bunton(R), Cushman(R), Jacobsen(R), Ryan(R)
and Steiner(TM) brand products internationally through an extensive
distribution network. Jacobsen is a Textron company. More information
is available at www.jacobsen.com.
Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) is an $11 billion multi-industry
company with 49,000 employees in 40 countries. The company leverages
its global network of businesses to provide customers with innovative
solutions and services in industries such as aircraft, fastening
systems, industrial products and components and finance. Textron
is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter,
Cessna Aircraft, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others.
More information is available at www.textron.com.
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