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Hogan Says Polaroid Is Racing Sponsor; Web Chatter Blasts Move

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By CHRIS ECHEGARAY

Published: October 23, 2007

Nick Hogan's claim that Polaroid is sponsoring his car racing has drawn criticism, with people slamming the company on the Internet in light of the accident that left his friend incapacitated.

Nick Hogan, 17, whose real name is Nick Bollea, states that Polaroid is a sponsor on his Web site, www.hogandrift.com, along with BF Goodrich, Mac Tools and Sparco.

Bollea, son of famed wrestler Hulk Hogan, was speeding when he wrecked his 1998 Toyota Supra, critically injuring passenger John Graziano on Aug. 26, police said. Graziano, a 22-year-old Marine who served in Iraq, suffered brain damage in the accident, according to a family member.

The car received $50,000 worth of damage, the Clearwater Police Department's accident report says.

Hogan also boasts about the title sponsorship from the consumer electronics company known for its cameras on his MySpace page, according to the celebrity Web site, TMZ.com.

Graziano's attorney, George Tragos, said Hogan should be "wiser" and lay low until the "issue is resolved." Tragos said Graziano is making progress but could not specify.

More than two dozen people complained about Polaroid's sponsorship on www.planetfeedback.com, a Web site that allows consumers to give feedback and write letters to companies. Several threatened a boycott of the company.

One person, with the name of LuLu, sent a letter to Polaroid:

"How dare you sponsor Nick Hogan. I am apalled and shocked that you would condone such reckless and dangerous behavior from a unintelligent teenage boy. Stop sponsoring Nick Hogan!"

Wrestler Hulk Hogan has had a business relationship with Polaroid. The elder Hogan signed autographs at Polaroid's booth during an electronics show in Las Vegas this year.

Efforts to reach Polaroid and Nick Hogan's attorney, Kevin Hayslett, were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, according to TMZ.com, Nick Hogan wrote: "omggggg its been forever since i blogged...hell i dont even know what blog means but i guess its where you write stuff for people to read."

"anyways my last one was before i even drove for mopar, if you check my pics youll see that i did end up driving for them for my amateur season and most of my pro rookie season. i recently left the mopar team tho...things didnt work out to well
but!....i picked up a new title sponsor...POLAROID! and started my own team with twin 350z's pretty cool i know.
anyways id like everyone to wish my luck for my 08 season and keep john graziano in your prayers."

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