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Courtyard by Marriott Hotels and the World Touring Car Championship Team Up for Speed


WEBWIRE

Courtyard by Marriott Hotels, a division of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR), announced today that they have been selected as the exclusive hotel sponsor for the 2008 and 2009 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) racing seasons. Courtyard by Marriott Hotels will act as the official hotel partner for the next two seasons.

The World Touring Car Championship is an international car race championship and includes races in 12 different locations across The Americas, Europe and Asia from March to November. The WTCC, introduced in 2005, is one of the three official world car championships authorized by the International Federation of Automobilism (FIA). The FIA WTTC is recognized as the third most important World Championship in the world, after Formula 1 and the World Rally Championship.

The race includes touring cars built similarly to series production cars, competing for world championship points. Alterations to the vehicles are kept to a minimum which helps ensure that participants have an equal opportunity to win on the race track.

“We are thrilled to announce our exclusive partnership with the WTTC for the next two seasons,” said Frank Zehle, regional vice president of brand marketing for Continental Europe for Marriott International. “We feel that Courtyard by Marriott Hotels are the ideal fit for this very popular event, and we look forward to being a part of the excitement,” he said.

The first official race of the season is scheduled for March 2nd in Curitiba, Brazil.

Marriott International introduced its highly acclaimed Courtyard brand in 1983. Since then, the brand has grown into the company’s largest brand with nearly 800 hotels and the world’s 13th largest lodging chain. Courtyard by Marriott Hotels are designed for business and leisure travelers who need consistent, high quality accommodations and services at moderate prices. There are more than 700 Courtyard hotels worldwide; more than 65 of these properties are currently located outside the continental United States.

For in depth information on WTCC, a full schedule of racing events and participating hotels, and descriptions of the various teams, please visit www.courtyard-racing.com. The website also allows visitors to configure their own race car and win a variety of prizes, including the chance to a Grand Prize trip to Brazil for the opening race of the 2009 season.



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