Coastal Contacts Inc. Partners with Sam Schmidt Motorsports in Brazil

Performance has been key for the No. 77 Schmidt Hamilton HP Motorsports entry driven by Simon Pagenaud, currently third in points, after three rounds of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar season.

That kind of performance does not go unnoticed….especially to the keen eyes at the planet's biggest online eyewear company.

Canadian-based Coastal Contacts Inc., (www.Coastal.com) announced today a partnership with Sam Schmidt Motorsports to become the primary sponsor for the team’s entry in the upcoming IndyCar race in Sao Paulo, Brazil on April 29, 2012. The No. 77 Coastal.com/Schmidt Hamilton HP Motorsports Dallara/Honda/Firestone car will be driven by Frenchman Pagenaud, who is also leading the Rookie of the Year standings.

Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Coastal Contacts Inc. is the global leader in online direct-to-consumer retail of eyeglasses and optical products. Founded in 2000 by current CEO Roger Hardy, Coastal Contacts Inc. designs, produces and distributes the largest selection of eyeglasses and contact lenses on the Internet. The Company has also been outfitting consumers around the globe in free eyeglasses with their First Pair Free campaign.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to align with Sam Schmidt Motorsports, one of the premier teams in racing, and appreciate the work done by Front Row Marketing Services in developing this opportunity," said Hardy. “Our focus in the Brazilian marketplace is to create significant awareness for our Coastal.com brand, and our relationship with Sam Schmidt Motorsports provides a global stage for us to showcase the connection between speed of service and clear vision, two key elements of our brand experience."

“The partnership with Coastal Contacts is a perfect match with many of the things we strive to accomplish on the race team," said SSM owner Sam Schmidt. “Roger Hardy has built a formidable retail business by ensuring a laser-focus approach to the business and some of the fastest delivery times in the industry, the same things we look to accomplish everyday on the race track. In addition, the charitable aspects he’s instilled in the company by donating eyeglasses to disadvantaged people around the globe through the Change the View Project really means a great deal."