Sbr And Pirtek Relationship To End

[Falchoon]

Found this on another forum

www.v8supercars.com.au

  Quote

Pirtek Fluid Systems has announced that it is ending a successful eight-year relationship with leading V8 Supercar Championship Series team Stone Brothers Racing at the end of the 2005 season.

Pirtek was the inaugural naming rights sponsor in 1998 and since that initial year the Pirtek Falcon has won Bathurst, the Sandown 500, Clipsal 500, several other series rounds and the last two championships.

Pirtek is in the final year of their current three-year contract and decided after the weekend’s Bathurst event that they would not be taking up their option.

Driver Marcos Ambrose currently sits second in this year’s championship by two points to his SBR teammate Russell Ingall with three rounds remaining.

The introduction of new products and different marketing strategies has been the major factor in the decision of Pirtek to end their relationship, according to Pirtek Managing Director Glenn Duncan.

“We have enjoyed a successful eight-year relationship with Stone Brothers Racing, but we have new opportunities we want to explore,” said Duncan.

“With Marcos heading to the US at the end of the season it is probably an opportune time for us to leave as well and for SBR to introduce fresh new sponsors to the championship.

“We have achieved some tremendous growth with our brand and our relationships through the program.

“We have to thank Ross and Jimmy Stone and everyone associated with the team for their friendship which we look forward to being maintained beyond this season.”

Stone Brothers Racing co-owner Ross Stone said Pirtek had been with his team since the beginning and had endured the highs and lows the sport can produce.

“They have been a loyal partner of ours which we have enjoyed sharing plenty of success with over the last few years, but I guess all good things have to come to an end at some time,” said Stone

“We accept their decision to move on and wish the Pirtek Franchise Network all the best for the future.”

Ambrose, who will be heading to the US next year to start a career in NASCAR, says the departure of Pirtek from SBR is really the “end of an era”.

“I am really proud with what we have achieved together with Pirtek, they gave me the break I needed when entering into the V8 Supercar Championship,” said Ambrose.

“They are a fantastic company with tremendous people with whom many I have developed life-long friendships.

“I just hope we can go out on another successful note by winning our third consecutive championship this year.”

Pirtek’s sponsorship with SBR will end after the final round of the 2005 championship at Phillip Island in Victoria on November 27.

[phantomchic]

It just seems all wrong...

Ambrose gone

and the Pirtek Car...

wonder what the new one will be and look like....

shazzy

[macka'sxr6t]

I would'nt be suprised if Caltex take up the second car assuming that SBR intend to field one.

Would solve a few of the sponsorship and drive combo problems. There is no doubt that to win Bathurst you need your A1 drivers in the same car.

macka

[ExAreSix]

  macka said:

There is no doubt that to win Bathurst you need your A1 drivers in the same car.

macka

Bit of topic, sorry, but strongly disagree with this statement.

Ambrose with Luff were a great chance of taking this yrs race. Luff was lapping slower than Ambrose, but he kept the car on the road at a fair pace, and kept it in a strong position.

If Ambrose and Ingall had of been paired together, and met the same fortune as A&L, then Ingall would have been out of the points also.

The C'Ship 1-2 would have both come away with no points for the weekend. It would have been a disastor for the team, more so than it was as it is.

Anyway, back on topic, shame to see Pirtek go. But SBR will have no trouble picking up a strong sponsor.

[drcook]

yeah, murpy and rick (f*cking)kelly have won it twice!

[phantomchic]

  drcook said:

yeah, murpy and rick (f*cking)kelly have won it twice!  

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

WHO

[macka'sxr6t]

  ExAreSix said:

  macka said:

There is no doubt that to win Bathurst you need your A1 drivers in the same car.

macka

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bit of topic, sorry, but strongly disagree with this statement.

Ambrose with Luff were a great chance of taking this yrs race. Luff was lapping slower than Ambrose, but he kept the car on the road at a fair pace, and kept it in a strong position.

If Ambrose and Ingall had of been paired together, and met the same fortune as A&L, then Ingall would have been out of the points also.

The C'Ship 1-2 would have both come away with no points for the weekend. It would have been a disastor for the team, more so than it was as it is.

Anyway, back on topic, shame to see Pirtek go. But SBR will have no trouble picking up a strong sponsor.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes it is a little of topic, but I think history is against your agrument especially the last 5 years. The teams with their top drivers have won them.

If Ambrose and Ingall had have been in the car it most likely would have been in a even stronger position and would have most likely been nowhere near Murphy anyway. And other choices made during the race conspired for that to happen.

Luffy is a great driver but he lost to much pace during that 2nd stint in a row. He could'nt keep up the consistancy required for 60+ laps compared to the teams running 2 A1 drivers. It would have been a big ask for any driver to drive at that pace for such along period of time.

Your right SBR will have no trouble finding another sponsor, trouble will be to find a driver who can compete on the same level as Ambrose. This choice of driver will determine the quality of the sponsorship deal.

My money is on a 2 car Caltex backed sponsorship deal. Now that SBR are supplying more engines to other teams which helps reduce their development cost I would think it would be a more attractive deal.

these are just my thoughts anyway

macka

[turb06]

  macka said:

I would'nt be suprised if Caltex take up the second car assuming that SBR intend to field one.

macka

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There is no way SBR would field only 1 car, there is too much of an advantage data wise with a 2 or three car operation, if caltex dont take up sponsorship of the ex pirtek car, I dont think they will have trouble finding a sponsor.

Dazza.