Federal-Mogul Motorparts is extending its “Search for a Champion” sponsorship contest to a larger audience and increasing the program’s awards payout for 2017. The contest, which encourages racers and maintenance enthusiasts to demonstrate their passion for superior performance both on and off the track, will open for entries Nov. 2, 2016, at www.SearchForAChampion.com. Search for a Champion in 2017 will award $125,000 (USD) in racing sponsorships – including one $50,000 (USD) grand prize sponsorship – to grassroots racers competing in an “On the Track” category covering the dirt, asphalt, and water/snow racing environments. In addition to the grand prize sponsorship, the contest will offer $5,000 (USD) sponsorships to each of 10 runners-up and $1,000 (USD) sponsorships to each of 25 Finalists. For the first time, the contest also will include an “Off the Track” category spanning everything from lawn-and-garden and marine/powersport equipment to automotive and performance maintenance specialists. Federal-Mogul Motorparts will award one $5,000 (USD) Search for a Champion grand prize sponsorship, 10 $500 (USD) runner-up sponsorships, and 25 $100 (USD) Finalist sponsorships in this new category. The contest will also include a sweepstakes for exclusive Champion apparel for those who register and vote for their favorite entries at www.SearchForAChampion.com. Voting is open from Jan. 5, 2017, through March 23, 2017. “We are expanding #TeamChampion to include grassroots drivers, crew members, automotive industry professionals and others who understand the importance of relying on world-class products both on and off the track,” says Dana Bubonovich, manager, social media and digital promotions, Federal-Mogul Motorparts. “Search for a Champion shines a spotlight on the thousands of talented and passionate individuals who have learned how to maximize the performance of their engines.” To enter the contest, entrants must visit www.SearchForAChampion.com and submit photos and a 300-word essay describing why they deserve to join #TeamChampion. Participants may also submit an optional two-minute video. The contest entry period extends from Nov. 2, 2016, through Jan. 3, 2017. Voting for the Finalist Round runs Jan. 5 through Feb. 2, 2017. Grand prize round voting runs Feb. 23 through March 23. Federal-Mogul Motorparts will announce the 2017 grand prize winners on April 4. Federal-Mogul Motorparts is a division of Federal-Mogul Holdings Corp. and exclusive global marketer of Champion spark plugs, filters, wipers and other products.