Paul Holton to partner with Pierre Kleinubing in new Children’s Tumor Foundation “Art Car"

Toronto, Canada – Compass360 Racing (C360R) today released details of its much-anticipated return to the Continental Tire Sportscar Challenge GS-class. The squad will be the first customer team to compete with Ford’s new Mustang GT350R-C, and will field a full-season entry for drivers Paul Holton and Pierre Kleinubing.

“We’re honoured to have been selected by the folks at Ford to be the first team to run the new Mustang, and are looking forward to working closely with Multimatic in continuing to develop the platform,” remarked Team Principal Karl Thomson.

The announcement marks the return of both drivers to the squad. Holton impressed at the helm of one of the team’s Audi S3’s last year — his rookie season in CTSC — taking a dramatic win with co-driver Kyle Gimple in the season finale at Road Atlanta, having led the race for most of his stint. Kleinubing, meanwhile, is back for his third season with C360R, having taken two podiums in the squad’s GS-class Subaru with Ray Mason before leading the team’s GTD Audi R8 effort in 2015.

“This is an exciting program, and we know we’ve got a great driving line-up in a great car,” said Technical Director Ray Lee. “We’re expecting to be competitive right out of the box and run for the GS championship.” He continued, “it’ll be a big change in GS, going from a high-strung four-cylinder turbocharged Subaru to a big, thundering V8 in the Ford, and we’re up for the challenge.”

“I learned so much driving the C360R Audis last year, and am excited to be part of this new Mustang effort,” enthused Holton. “Our goal is to bring Ford a Manufacturer’s Championship in 2016."

The No. 76 Mustang GT350R-C will continue the team’s ongoing support of the Children’s Tumor Foundation, and will wear a unique livery featuring a new painting by NF Hero and philanthropic artist Jeffery Owen Hanson, applied with unique AERO Advanced Paint Technology. “The Foundation is so grateful to our partner teams in the IMSA paddock,” noted CTF’s Racing4Research Program Director, Jill Beck. “Paul, Pierre and all the C360R drivers and crew are always so wonderful with the CTF kids, and we’re thankful to have the opportunity to extend our Art Car program with them for another year."

The Ford program joins the team’s already-announced two-car ST-class Audi S3 program, and finalizes the C360R IMSA effort for 2016. The team will be at Daytona International Speedway for the ROAR, January 8-10 in preparation for the season opener, also at Daytona Jan 27-29.

About Compass360 Racing

Compass360 Racing (C360R) is the motorsports division of Compass360 Brand Architects, a Toronto-based firm offering marketing expertise to clients in diverse industries across North America. The team, which has been competing in professional racing continually since 2004, fields front-running cars in IMSA's Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, winning series Championships in 2010, 2009, 2007, and 2006. C360R also won Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car Championships in 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011, and the Canadian Touring Car Championship in 2010. For details please visit http://C360R.com, "Like" on Facebook https://www.fb.com/C360R, and follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/C360R.

About Ford Racing

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 197,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://racing.ford.com.

About AERO Advanced Paint Technology

AERO Advanced Paint Technology™ is an environmentally sustainable paint applique that eliminates the need for harmful sprayers. The aerospace-grade, self-healing paint film and solvent-free adhesive were designed to give the technology the highest performance in durability and aesthetics, while reducing weight compared to traditional spray. AERO was initially designed for The Boeing Company as a lightweight paint film technology for the 787 Dreamliner. As such, the technology provides significant performance gains in weight reduction while enabling the finish to be a fully strippable system. AERO has proven to be successful in the motorsports industry due to the ease of install, significant weight savings, and enhanced durability. For details visit http://rethinkpaint.com.

About Racing4Research

Developed by the Children’s Tumor Foundation, the Racing4Research™ (R4R) program utilizes competitive, professional auto racing as a vehicle to increase awareness of neurofibromatosis (NF) and to raise funds for research through corporate sponsorship, personal donations, and individual fundraising by NF Heroes - children and adults from around the country who live with neurofibromatosis. The Racing4Research program offers families living with the disorder a uniquely empowering weekend, and has raised more than $3 million dollars since 2008. For details please visit http://racing4research.org, "Like" the R4R Facebook page https://www.fb.com/racing4research, and follow https://twitter.com/Racing4Research on Twitter.