Sprint Auto Parts Return As Naming Rights Sponsor Of Rally SA In 2009
Rally South Australia is proud to confirm that their partnership with South Australia's largest privately owned Auto Parts retailer - Sprint Auto Parts, will continue into a second year.
The South Australian based company became the naming rights sponsor for the South Australian round of the Australian Rally Championship in 2008, and will now extend their support into the 2009 season.
The sponsorship from Sprint Auto Parts will provide further stability and continuity to Rally SA, recognised as one of the best events on the Australian Rally Championship calendar. A round of the ARC, the event is also a round of the South Australian Championship and the SA Clubman Series, ensuring another bumper field in 2009.
As well as the significant financial input, Sprint Auto Parts will be providing material support by way of signage, access to advertising, in-store promotions and leveraging opportunities of many kinds to Rally SA.
The many synergies between rallying and Sprint Auto Parts are clear, with many local crews using Sprint Auto Parts stores across the state to ensure their cars, support vehicles and transporters are well maintained for their journeys across the Australian Rally Championship calendar.
Rally SA Director, Ivar Stanelis, said he is delighted to continue the association with Sprint Auto Parts.
"I am really excited to be going into a second year with Sprint Auto Parts, a wholly South Australian owned company and, in a way, we can grow together going forward," said Stanelis.
"The rally and everyone involved in the event have benefited greatly from the association and conversely Sprint Auto Parts has gained greater exposure within their target markets. For example, the Sprint Auto Parts Rally Club has already been a huge success, and I am sure we can build on that."
"I believe that continuing the relationship is definitely a win/win situation for both parties and hope it will continue long past 2009."
Sprint Auto Part's Managing Director Chas Calandro said they are proud to be a sponsor of such an outstanding event that showcases the state of South Australia on the national stage.
"Sprint Auto Parts are pleased to continue their involvement with motor sport and promote a great South Australian event," he said.
"We have 31 stores across the state and as a company we are looking forward to promoting the Sprint Auto Parts Rally SA in each of these stores.
"Sprint Auto Parts have been involved in various motor sport events. Sprint Auto Parts came from sprint car racing which I have been part of as a driver and team owner over the years. We are really looking forward to building on our involvement in Australian rallying."
The reaction from both national and state level competitors has also been exceptionally positive, three-time Australian Rally Champion and current 2008 series leader Neal Bates and co-driver Coral Taylor (Team TRD) are keen to return for another stab at finishing on top of the podium in South Australia.
"We are particularly delighted that Sprint Auto Parts had taken up the option to sponsor the event in 2009," Bates said. "We eagerly look forward to coming back to South Australia to compete on some of the best rally roads in the country".
Current SA Rally Champion, Matt Selley, was also pleased.
"This is wonderful news for rallying in South Australia. The Sprint Auto Parts Rally of South Australia is not only renowned as the best staged round of the Australian Rally Championship, it is the premier round of the South Australian Rally Championship and showcases the tremendous depth of talent in our local competition", enthused Selley.
"To have a such an established locally owned business as Sprint Auto Parts continuing to support the event demonstrates the high regard in which it is held here in SA."
The Sprint Auto Parts Rally SA will be held in the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and Murraylands regions from the 31st July to August 2nd 2009 (date subject to CAMS confirmation).
Event Information can be found on the official website of the Australian Rally Championship, www.rally.com.au, and at the event website www.rallysa.com.au.
