Canberra event launched with new naming-rights sponsor
22/2/2000 23:17 (Jason Whittaker) - The V8 Supercars' exciting new Canberra event has officially been launched today, with organisers announcing the signing of a new, naming-rights sponsor for the event.
The National Capital 100, a new
event on this year's V8 Supercar calendar to be run around
the streets of Canberra, will now be known as the GMC 400
after the Global Machinery Company (GMC) signed-on as principal
sponsor for the event.
Mark Skaife at the launch of the GMC 400. Skaife has had
major input in the design of the 3.9km street circuit.
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ACT Chief Minister, Kate Carnell made the announcement at the official launch of the event today in Canberra.
"We're thrilled that GMC has chosen our event as its first major sponsorship of sport," Ms Carnell said. "GMC may not be a household name at the moment, but come June after this event and it'll be a long way towards achieving that goal."
James Service, Canberra Tourism and Events Corporation Chairman, also welcomed the announcement.
"It's great to see GMC choosing our event for its first major sponsorship of sport," he said. "We now have a major national company involved in the what's
regarded as the premier motor racing series in Australia."
In just their fifth year in operation, the Global Machinery Company has cornered a 30% share of the do-it-yourself market, distributing power tools and handyman equipment throughout many stores across Australia including Bunnings, Mitre 10 and Home Hardware.
"It's great to see a new company getting involved in the sponsorship of motorsport and we're more than happy to have GMC as the principle sponsor of our event", Mr Service said.
The newly-named GMC 400 is Australia's newest and most-exciting motorsport event, encompassing three "mini endurance" races for the V8 Supercars across three days of racing on April 9-11.
The 3.9km street circuit, designed around the city's Parliamentary Circle, takes in some of Canberra's most recognisable landmarks, including Parliament House, the National Library and Lake Burley Griffin. An estimated 100,000 people are expected to attend the three-day carnival of motorsport.
Tickets for the GMC 400 have gone on sale nationally, this month.
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