RYAN WINCHESTER SIGNS FOR PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE SEASON

Winsports Marketing driver to race Honda Civic Si with support from Ligon Industries

(Mason City, IA) -- Ryan Winchester, 26, of Mason City, IA has signed to drive for 2011 championship winning Compass360 Racing (C360R) for the 2012 Pirelli World Challenge season. Winchester will pilot one of the team's Honda Civic SI cars in the Touring Car class for the 2012 season. Together with partner Ligon Industries, Ryan has his sights set squarely on the 2012 Driver and Manufacturer Championship. The 2012 season will be his first in the Pirelli World Challenge series. 

“It is a great feeling to be a part of Compass360 for 2012. With the strong history of success and number of championships they have won, I have no doubt I will be in the best car on track every weekend.” said Winchester, “I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Ligon Industries C360R Honda Civic Si on the streets of St. Pete March 23rd.” 

Previously Winchester competed with success in Grand-Am's Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge in a Ford Mustang, as well as the National Auto Sport Association where he earned a championship and Driver of the Year honors in 2011. Trading a rear wheel drive for a front wheel drive car will be a new adventure for Ryan in 2012. “This is going to be an interesting season for me,” remarked Ryan. “All of my previous racing has been in high horsepower, rear wheel drive cars, or mid-engine rear wheel drive formula cars, so I’m sure it is going to take me a few laps to get used to the front wheel drive but it will no doubt be a great experience and a lot of fun.” 

In addition to his passion in motorsport, Winchester is also committed to finishing his last year at Palmer College of Chiropractic. Ryan is set to graduate next February with his Doctor of Chiropractic degree. “Helping people has always been something I have enjoyed doing.” mentioned Winchester. “Chiropractic will allow me to help people achieve a higher quality of life on a daily basis.” 

The 2012 Pirelli World Challenge presented by the SCCA schedule consists of 14 races over six weekends. Races will take place on a variety of circuits across the United States and Canada ranging from a street circuit in St. Petersburg, FL to the world renowned Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California. Catch all the action on NBC Sports Network, formerly the Versus Channel. For more information about World Challenge, visit world-challenge.com where you will find the schedule for both the races themselves and television broadcast dates.