Archive for December, 2008
Le Mans feeds drivers new formula
Dec 31st
Oreca to launch new Formula Le Mans car at the Autosport International Racing Car Show at the Birmingham NEC. The car will be used in the new one-make endurance racing feeder series, announced by the ACO; the Le Mans 24 Hours organisers. The aim of the series is to attract young drivers into racing prototypes and to give them experience of the cars before they enter the endurance classics such as the Le Mans 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hour races.www.autosport.com
Extra extreme performance
Dec 31st
Mark Jefferies, multiple aerobatic champion and recognised as one of the world’s top aerobatic pilots takes delivery of the new Extra 330SC – Mark commented, “The performance of this aircraft is exceptional; a significant step up from my other Extra in every respect. My training for the World Championships at Silverstone begins today! I am still planning the airshow season so we don’t know yet when or where the UK debut for the 330SC will be – but one thing is for sure; it will be a crowd pleaser!”
Mars – integrated activation with NASCAR
Dec 31st
Mars North America announces that it will extend its contract as official NASCAR partner. The multi-year sponsorship commitment allows multiple Mars brands to connect with racing fans and includes four designations:Official Chocolate of NASCAR (M&M’S(R) Brand)
Official Chocolate Bar of NASCAR (SNICKERS(R) Brand)
Official Cheese-Filled Snack of NASCAR (COMBOS(R) Brand)
Official Pet Food of NASCAR (PEDIGREE(R) Brand)
“The relationship between Mars and NASCAR is a win-win,” said Suzanne Beaudoin, vice president, Sponsorships and Sports Marketing, Mars North America. “Mars wants to be part of every race experience. Being an official NASCAR partner illustrates our dedication to the fans, our drivers and the sport, while driving brand affinity and excitement for our brands.” The multi-year partnership aligns Mars with its existing contracts with Joe Gibbs Racing. For 2009, Mars will continue to develop programs that build relationships directly with NASCAR fans, including:
M&M’S “The Most Colorful Fan of NASCAR Contest” will launch at the Daytona 500 and run for 24 weeks.
Mars’ COMBOS Brand will also leverage its NASCAR sponsorship with the new “Man Zone” on-pack promotion, visiting ten race tracks during the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
SNICKERS Brand will promote its sponsorship at retail stores nationwide.
All trademarks acknowledged. http://www.mms.com/us/racing
Round the Island Race entries open 22/01/09
Dec 29th
The 2009 J P Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race entries open on 22nd January. This unique event sees a huge fleet race westwards the 50 nautical miles round the Isle of Wight. The Island Sailing Club has the support of title sponsors J P Morgan Asset Management and race partners Bénéteau, Britannia Events, Dean & Reddyhoff, Nautica Watches, Old Pulteney Whisky, Raymarine, Red Funnel, St Margaret’s Direct and Volvo.
Campbell Fleming, Head of UK for J P Morgan Asset Management commented: “J P Morgan Asset Management is excited to be entering its fifth year as title sponsor. Each year the race proves more and more exciting and I am sure 2009 will be no exception.” www.roundtheisland.org.uk/
ALICE expands sponsorship to Holland with MotoGP
Dec 29th
Alice, part of Telecom Italia, will sponsor the Dutch TT at Assen in 2009. The Italian telecommunications company will continue its race sponsorship at Mugello (Italy) and Sachsenring (Germany)- the race was sponsored by A-Style. www.motogp.com
Jim Beam® and TOYOTA partner Robby Gordon in 09
Dec 29th
Jim Beam® Bourbon announces that it will continue its partnership with Robby Gordon Motorsports (RGM) as a primary sponsor of the No.7 driven by Robby Gordon during the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.Brian Gallagher, Motorsports Marketing Manager, Jim Beam said, “We are proud to continue our support of Robby and his race team as they demonstrate true character and achieve success on the track.” The deal marks the company’s fifth year of partnership with RGM. Jim Beam will utilize its sponsorship to reach race fans both on and off the track and Gordon will be spokesperson for Beam Global Spirits & Wine reminding legal age consumers to drink responsibly.
Robby Gordon Motorsports also announced that they will partner with Toyota in the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Lee White, President of TRD, U.S.A. said, “It will be exciting to see how the association between Robby, his team, Toyota and TRD will develop in 2009. I promise you that it will not be boring.” www.robbygordon.com
Bulgaria has big plans for motorsport
Dec 23rd
Bulgaria aims to host a Formula One race in the near future, according to the Bulgarian Motorcycling Federation (BMF), at a circuit to be built near the town of Pleven. “It’ll be very difficult but I think we’ll succeed,” BMF’s president Bogdan Nikolov was quoted as saying in 24 Chasa daily on Monday.In addition to their F1 ambitions Bulgaria is due to host a round of the World Rally Championship in 2010 and hope to host a round of the MotoGP world championship in 2011.
(Source: Reuters)
FIAT continue as title sponsor of Yamaha MotoGP team
Dec 23rd
Fiat will continue as title sponsor of Yamaha’s factory MotoGP team for the next two seasons. Fiat replaced Camel as title sponsor in 2007 and clinched the riders’ world championship with Valentino Rossi in 2008. Rossi and 2008 rookie of the year Jorge Lorenzo will continue as Fiat Yamaha Team riders 2009. www.yahoo.co.uk
BBC announce later start times for three F1 races in 09
Dec 22nd
Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, revealed later start times for the opening two rounds, with the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix both getting underway at 1700 hours local time. Near the end of the season, the Japanese Grand Prix will also commence at the later time of 1500 hours.
2009 Schedule
ING AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX (Melbourne) 27 – 29 Mar
PETRONAS MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX (Kuala Lumpur) 03 – 05 Apr
CHINESE GRAND PRIX (Shanghai) 17 – 19 Apr
GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX (Sakhir) 24 – 26 Apr
GRAN PREMIO DE ESPANA TELEFONICA 2009 (Catalunya) 08 – 10 May
GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2009 (Monte Carlo) 21 – 24 May
TURKISH GRAND PRIX (Istanbul) 05 – 07 Jun
SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX (Silverstone) 19 – 21 Jun
GROSSER PREIS SANTANDER VON DEUTSCHLAND 2009 (Nürburgring) 10 – 12 Jul
ING MAGYAR NAGYDIJ 2009 (Budapest) 24 – 26 Jul
TELEFONICA GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE (Valencia) 21 – 23 Aug
ING BELGIAN GRAND PRIX (Spa-Francorchamps) 28 – 30 Aug
GRAN PREMIO SANTANDER D’ITALIA 2009 (Monza) 11 – 13 Sep
SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX (Singapore) 25 – 27 Sep
FUJI TELEVISION JAPANESE GRAND PRIX (Suzuka) 02 – 04 Oct
GRANDE PREMIO DO BRASIL 2009 (Sao Paulo) 16 – 18 Oct
ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX (Yas Marina Circuit) 30 Oct – 01 Nov
(all trademarks acknowledged) www.bbc.co.uk/ www.formula1.com/
Golf beats motorsport to European sponsor $$$
Dec 22nd
Porsche Supercup, NASCAR and NHRA sponsor, United Parcel Service Inc (UPS.N), signs a four-year deal with the European Professional Golf Association Tour in a strategic play. The deal details were not disclosed, but baseline official sponsorships for the European PGA run about $630,000 a year, according to Wall Street Journal. “We were looking around for a global platform that would be consistent with our expansion,” said Ron Rogowski, director of sponsorships and events for UPS – UPS’s top competitor, FedEx Corp (FDX.N), is a major sponsor of the PGA Tour in the United States.
www.reuters.com/