LONG BEACH, California (April 12, 2016)- Continuing a tradition that dates back to 2011, Black Swan Racing will make a surprise return to this weekend’s 42nd Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, carrying the colors of famed Southern California institution, Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles. Competing in the Pirelli World Challenge’s GTA category, driver Tim Pappas will take to the wheel in his No. 54 Viper GT3.R as a strong supporter of the brand.
“Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles is a franchise unlike any other, and we’re proud to support them.” stated Pappas. “They’ve obviously been in the news recently due to some hardships, and we wanted to step up and make sure the fans in Long Beach still had the opportunity to root for one of the most iconic brands in the area. It’ll be strange to see a giant chicken sitting on a Viper, but it’s the least we could do for Mr. Hudson and everyone in the organization.”
Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles is a Long Beach, California-based soul food restaurant chain founded by Herb Hudson, a Harlem native, in 1975. It is best known, as the name states, for serving chicken and waffles, both together and separately, although they do offer more traditional menu items as well. With the brand’s increasing popularity over the last 40 years, there are now seven restaurants throughout Southern California. The franchise boasts a celebrity clientele that dates back to Natalie Cole and Redd Foxx, and includes modern day icons such as Snoop Dogg and even President Barack Obama.
With the original restaurant located on Broadway Avenue, just a few blocks away from the Grand Prix circuit, the franchise first found its way to the race in 2011 when the company joined forces with Magnus Racing to take part in the former American Le Mans Series race. With Magnus no longer competing in categories that take part in the event, Black Swan has since taken the honor, placing the famed chicken and waffle icon on a range of vehicles including their Lola LMP2 coupe, Mercedes-Benz SLS GT3, and now Viper GT3.R.
Additionally, the team will showcase two other brands associated with Roscoe’s, Pit Bull Energy Drink and the Seabird Jazz Lounge. Pit Bull, labelled as “the official energy drink of hip hop,” can be found in any Roscoe’s as well as retailers around the country. The Seabird Jazz Lounge serves as Long Beach’s premier jazz club in the region, sharing the the same building as Roscoe’s.
The partnership for this weekend will work purely as a promotional exchange, with Black Swan Racing acting as a major supporter of the Roscoe’s story, endorsing an iconic brand that began with modest means.
Practice for the Pirelli World Challenge will begin this coming Friday, April 15, with the race taking place at 10AM on Sunday, April 17. The Black Swan Racing Roscoe’s Viper can be seen in the Pirelli World Challenge paddock, which is accessible to the public in the event’s convention center.