2010 News
PPG Helps Olympic Bobsledders Win the Gold
STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – March 12, 2010 – PPG Automotive Refinish is pleased to congratulate the USA four-man Olympic bobsled team on winning the gold medal in the recent winter Olympic games held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The victory, achieved in the PPG-painted Bo-Dyn Night Train bobsled, was the first men’s four-man gold medal Americans have earned since the games of 1948. The US team – led by driver Steve Holcomb with pushers Justin Olsen and Steve Mesler and brakeman Curt Tomasevicz – raced to two heat records and then went on to win the event, limiting the German and Canadian bobsledding powerhouse teams to silver and bronze medals respectively.
“This was a big, big win for the team, the US and PPG,” said veteran NASCAR driver Geoff Bodine. “PPG has supported this team with great product and technical assistance for 18 years. They’re a key part of our success and we’re thrilled they’re part of this.”
The Night Train sled itself was a result of Bodine’s efforts to provide USA Bobsled athletes with sleds designed with advanced racecar technology. Bodine got involved with bobsledding in 1992 when he noticed American athletes were competing with European-made sleds. He was determined to create a “Made in America” sled that would be competitive and capable of taking the USA Bobsled team to the medals podium.
PPG got involved with Bodine right from the start by providing sleek coatings that looked great and withstood the challenging conditions of bobsledding. The Night Train sled featured Deltron® DBC9700 black and DCU2060 clearcoat.
The USA team is now a consistent medal winner on the World Cup circuit and the PPG-painted sleds and their technology are recognized as being some of the best in the world. Their signature quality is how quiet they are compared to other sleds when racing down the run.
For more information about The Night Train sled and USA Bobsled visit www.bodynbobsled.com. For more information about PPG call 800/647-6050 or visit the PPG Automotive Refinish website at www.ppgrefinish.com.
about ppg
PPG Industries’ vision is to continue to be the world’s leading coatings and specialty products company. Founded in 1883, the company serves customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2009 were $12.2 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.