SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Double-takes will likely be the norm when race fans lay eyes upon Tim Wilkerson's car at the upcoming Tire Kingdom Gatornationals (March 8-11) in Gainesville, as longtime major-associate sponsor Diversified Yacht Services (DYS) will take over the primary sponsor position for the weekend, with a striking nautical design adorning Wilk's Shelby Mustang Funny Car. Located in Fort Myers, Fla., DYS is a leader and innovator in the yacht services industry, providing sales, service, repairs, storage, and consulting to owners of yachts and watercraft of all sizes. The company, owned by Levi, Ray & Shoup President Dick Levi and managed by his son, Chief Operating Office Ryan Levi, will open a new 60,000-square foot Marina and Service Center this spring, including South Florida's only 150-ton travel lift. "We've been discussing ways to increase the value of our sponsorships, for Levi, Ray & Shoup, Diversified Yacht Services, and all of our marketing partners," Wilkerson said. "When budgets are tight, the best thing a race team can do is make sure the value they provide is the best it can be, giving the sponsor the most bang for their buck, and we all agreed that our one Florida race would be a great place to run a specially designed car for DYS. "We've always hosted a large group of DYS staff members and clients in Gainesville, but this year is even more special with the new DYS Marina and Service Center opening up. Racers and race fans are mechanically minded people, so the thought of a 150-ton lift is a cool deal too. We plan to give DYS a good pop of publicity with this Gatornationals car, and we aim to have a good time with all of the folks who are our hospitality guests. It's going to be a neat deal, all around." Designed by Canham Graphics in Springfield, Ill., the special-edition theme incorporates a seawater background and yacht graphics, with the DYS logo displayed on the sides and hood. Levi, Ray & Shoup and other associate sponsors are blended into the design. The 2012 Mustang body is new, and as such will make its debut in Gainesville. "A lot of the times you do a special vinyl wrap like this, you're putting it on over the existing paint job, but this car has never been painted so we'll have the lightest possible body to work with," Wilkerson said. "After the race, we can strip the vinyl back off and get the car painted in our normal LRS design, so this is the best of both worlds." Professional qualifying for the 43rd Annual Tire Kingdom Gatornationals begins on Friday, March 9 at Auto Plus Raceway in Gainesville, Fla. For more information on Diversified Yacht Services, visit their website at: http://dysinc.com/
