NEW YORK (JIS) – Thursday, June 25, 2009 -“Racing is Life…Anything that happens before or after is just waiting.” – uttered from legendary actor Steve McQueen in the 1971 “Le Mans,” the quote has a special meaning for Jamaican champion race car driver Matthew Gore, who will be arriving in Snetterton, England to start his first race in preparation of the historic 24-hour Le Mans this July.
Earlier this Spring, Liquid Lightning Energy Drink identified Matthew as one of the most promising rising stars of racing, and immediately began its support for the young athlete. The energy drink company named Matthew Gore in its Emerging Icons series, giving him the first real exposure in United States, and also included Matthew in the starring role in the company’s most recent provocative web and print campaign.
As Matthew is gearing up to race in the British GT this Summer, Liquid Lightning is also stepping up the game and putting all its weight behind him. The sponsorship had already evolved into a partnership, and the results of the company’s efforts are evident. Ru-El Burford, Marketing Director for Liquid Lightning said that “Matthew’s passionate quality and amazing achievements personify our own mission and goal perfectly; we are 100% behind him every step of the way, not just financially, but we are also interested in Matthew’s long term personal growth as well as the continued excellence in his career.”
Liquid Lightning’s sponsorship support for Matthew Gore sets the precedent for an energy drink company endorsing a champion driver in Jamaica by taking a personal interest in shaping and furthering his athletic career. On his most recent visit to New York City, Gore said that “the support from Liquid Lightning had been amazing and I am truly honored to have this opportunity. With (Liquid Lightning) behind me, I can focus on achieving everything I want to achieve out there… the sky is the limit! I have made my name in the Caribbean over the last 10 years, now I am being placed in such a wide audience in the U.S., and my goal is to continue to succeed in the U.K., the Caribbeans and Internationally. I want to help make Liquid Lightning the hottest energy drink everywhere I go, and lay down some history in the books!”
Matthew Gore had already established his status in racing history as the youngest awarded champion to date at 19 years old, with 47 trophies won in 1999 alone. His greatest and latest achievement is joining the all-celebrity Team 48, founded by soccer legend Luther Blissett, and performing in the British Gran Tourismo (GT) championship races this Summer, and the 24-hour Le Mans in 2010. Matthew will be driving a Lamborghini Gallardo owned by Team Modena, fielded by Team 48 Motorsports and Liquid Lightning Energy Drink.
Matthew Gore was born 1979 in Tyler, Texas, to Jamaican parents Neil & Carol Gore. Motorsports has always been a big part in young Matthew’s life, and he showed the potential as a racing prodigy with his first speed event in 1995 at the Morelands Raceway, where he placed 3rd in class in the August meet, and 2nd in class in the December meet. From 1999 to 2005, Matthew emerged as a champion driver and solidifying his place in racing history as the youngest awarded champion to date at 19 years old, winning 47 trophies in 1999 alone.
In 2008, Matthew was invited to join the all-celebrity Team 48, the first multi-racial racing team to perform in the British Gran Turismo (GT) races. Team 48’s name is a symbolic celebration of 1948 – the year that brought about the first significant wave of Caribbean migrants to the UK, and is founded by soccer legend Luther Blissett. The team has recently joined ranks with Team Modena from the U.K. to compete in the 2009 Avon Tyres British GT series. Matthew Gore and other teammates will be headed by Calum Lockie, ex-England international footballer, Luther Blissett, Les Ferdinand, Kevin Haggarthy and Darelle Wilson, racing at the historic Le Mans 24-Hour race, and he will be driving a Lamborghini Gallardo.
In celebration of Matthew’s achievements and to wish him well on the up-coming championship races, the Consul General of Jamaica, New York, Mrs. Geneive Brown Metzger will host a private reception for Matthew this June in New York City. Adding more glamour and glitz to the jubilation, Liquid Lightning brand partner Vulcan Motor Club will provide a Lamborghini Gallardo from their fleet of exotic sports cars to be displayed at the reception.
Gore is also scheduled to race with the EVO 7 circuit car in Jamaica later this year, with a strong possibility of racing head to head with his brother, Douglas Gore from Team MoBay.
For interview opportunities please contact cindy@llenergy.com.