Universal Studios Consumer Products Group & Fernandez Racing Announce Partnership.

Universal Studios Consumer Products Group (USCPG) and Fernandez Racing announced a multi-year, worldwide licensing and representation agreement to create a new line of merchandise and promotions with Mexican star Adrian Fernandez, a leading driver in the CART FedEx Championship Series.

The new line will feature Adrian Fernandez’s likeness and Fernandez Racing marks, and will also be cross-licensed with Universal properties, in a variety of categories ranging from apparel, accessories, gifts, stationery and paper goods, housewares, candy and food to sporting goods, toys and promotions.

In addition, Woody Woodpecker will be featured on the nose of the open-wheel Champ Car piloted by Fernandez — the #51 Tecate/Quaker State/Telmex Honda/Reynard — which will compete in 21 race events on four continents. The opening race of the season, the Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix, on March 11th, in Monterrey, Mexico, provides the perfect setting for Woody, whose high awareness levels in Latin America will be strengthened by debut of The Woody Woodpecker(TM) Show in Mexico this year.

“We are very excited to embark on a partnership with one of Mexico’s top sports icons,” said Ray de la Rosa, vice president of international licensing, Latin America for Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. “Universal’s success in leveraging entertainment and sports licensing combined with Adrian’s competitive and winning attitude provides a potent force that will maximize merchandising and retail opportunities.”

Fernandez is coming off his best season to date in Champ Car competition, finishing second in the 2000 CART FedEx Championship Series. He is the fifth most-winning driver in the current CART field and has finished over half of his 125 Champ Car starts in the top 10. In partnership with Tom Anderson, the former manager/director of four-time CART champions Target/Chip Ganassi Racing, Fernandez announced the formation of his own team — Fernandez Racing — this past October. Fernandez, who enters his ninth year of Champ Car competition, will be the only owner/driver competing on the 2001 circuit.

“I am very excited about our new relationship with Universal,” said Fernandez. “This is definitely the right opportunity for the future of my career and the team. For the first time, we will be able to have our products available not just in Mexico, but around the world. With Universal, our name is in good hands. There will be a lot of new and exciting surprises throughout the year.”