Rumor: GM pulling out of TestTrack sponsorship

**Blixzit** · 08-24-2008, 07:52 AM

I've heard from a reliable source that GM's contract with Disney will soon be over, and once it is they will no longer be a sponsor for the TestTrac pavilion. This is all GM's decision. They have been shutting down quite a few of their factories around the country as well.

**mattj4226** · 08-24-2008, 10:30 AM

This makes perfect sense for GM. This way they can outsource their sponsorship to Hong Kong Disneyland! Ok, that's my smart remark for today. Seriously though, with all of the financial problems that the "Big 3" have been having lately (which they brought on themselves), I don't really blame them for wanting to back out of things like this. I'm sure that if they do back out, Disney won't have a problem finding a new foreign sponsor (i.e. Nissan, Toyota, or Mercedes (that would be cool!).

**Blixzit** · 08-24-2008, 10:33 AM

Nissan is the rumored replacement sponsor.

**PolynesianMedic** · 08-24-2008, 01:09 PM

That could be interesting to see what Nissan would do with the pavilion

**Toad's Buddy** · 08-25-2008, 06:32 PM

Well for one thing, this would be sorta like If You Had Wings to If You Could Fly Part 2. All references would have too be taken out, which costs.....Disney's arch nemesis...you guessed it MONEY!!!! Hopefully, (On a more serious note) if this does happen, the new sponsor would give Disney some MONEY to fix up some of the more mechanical aspects of the ride that make it break down so frequently.

**skiyalater** · 08-30-2008, 10:00 PM

They would have to re-do the whole queue area and preshow video because of all the gm products in them. Which means that test track would go down for refurb

**mini-V** · 09-01-2008, 10:34 AM

I'm not sure "refurb" would sufficiently describe the changes that would need to be made! It will be interesting to see what happens and what the resulting que will look like.

**albino_pygmy** · 09-01-2008, 10:45 AM

If they pull an "If you had wings" move as you said, I hope they gut it out and come up with something really great, like Delta Dreamflight. I thought that was done really well, and I hope that they'll return the World of Motion dark ride, but updated of course since I know it won't be the same. Also, to save money and not disappoint thrill seekers by removing Test Track, the outer loop should stay there as a much shorter version of Test Track, but they'll give you 3 laps around to make up for the rest of the ride. How about that, 2 attractions in one pavillion?

**Toad's Buddy** · 09-01-2008, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by albino_pygmy

... How about that, 2 attractions in one pavillion?

Now We're thinkin'!

**Dale-not-Chip** · 09-09-2008, 03:10 PM

I can see them going for a Nascar sponser. And adding Cars to the mix.

**Blixzit** · 09-10-2008, 08:06 PM

Radiator Springs 300!
Presented through a generous grant by Nissan, and McDonald's.
Lol.

**WVParkfan** · 03-19-2009, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by Blixzit

Nissan is the rumored replacement sponsor.

I hope not. Nissan is to automobiles as Nescafe' is to coffee. Disney would never stoop so low...

**solfan68** · 03-22-2009, 01:27 PM

Test Track is a great attraction and the postshow is a great way to expose guests to a sponsor's cars, be it GM, Nissan, or Yugo. Nissan would be an interesting choice. Not only could they show new models and concepts. They could do up a Disneyfied "rice burner", ala The Fast & The Furious.

**Fun2BFree** · 03-23-2009, 08:17 PM

I mourn all the wonderful World of Motion AudioAnimatronics that had to die for Test Track to be installed. *sigh* the good o'l days...

**Sorria** · 03-24-2009, 06:05 AM

I've heard about GM dropping them for at least two months now. I had heard that the new sponsor might be Honda or some other Japanese-made car company.

What would everyone think of the possibility of Richard Petty picking up sponsorship? He already sponsors the Driving Experience on property.