Carnival over for Shell, ending 15-year bond
28/11/2001 19:28 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
For years they seemed inseparable. But Shell and V8 Supercar racing will go their separate ways next week, ending one of Australia’s most enduring sports sponsorships.
The oil giant today announced it would not be renewing its naming-rights sponsorship deal with the sport, a contract that has stood the test of time for 15 years.
AVESCO are expected to make an announcement on a new sponsorship deal, and new name for the championship, this weekend. No official comment has been made regarding Shell’s decision.
The move is a separation rather than a divorce, General Manager of Shell Commercial Communications, Ross Brodie, insists, with the company set to continue as official fuel supplier to the championship, and as the principal backer of the Dick Johnson Racing outfit.
"Shell Australia has undergone a major business review and the difficult decision was made to restructure the multi-faceted sponsorship involvement Shell has in the V8 Supercar category," Mr Brodie said.
“We are very pleased to maintain our support for the V8 series through the provision of Shell Optimax as the official fuel of the category and as sponsors of the Shell Helix Racing team, a partnership that will be extended to a record 18 years by the end of the current agreement in 2004.”
Shell has been the sport’s most ardent supporter since beginning the partnership in 1987, and has been the driving force behind much of the series’ continual development.
"It has been a tremendous thrill to see the category evolve to where it is today, with a dedicated host broadcaster in Channel Ten, committed management from AVESCO and strong support from CAMS," Mr Brodie said.
"We have received tremendous support in areas of logistics, marketing, sales and all levels of sponsorship management and we thank those people for making the partnership such a successful one for Shell.”
Shell says it looks forward to celebrating the relationship at the final-ever round of the Shell Championship Series at Sandown Raceway this weekend.
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