Sponsors add value to GT Radial Speedshow
Monday 8 September 2008, 2:00PM
By Relish Communications
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New Zealand’s biggest celebration of motorsport, the GT Radial Speedshow has been able to grow the number and variety of race cars and motor bikes on display for motor racing fans in the event’s second year thanks to the support of key sponsors.
Keith Sharp, who developed the Speedshow motorsport expo concept and ran the very successful inaugural GT Radial Speedshow last year, says he’s been delighted to find organisations associated with the motor industry very receptive to the idea of supporting Speedshow, which takes place over the weekend of 20 and 21 September this year at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland.
“GT Radial, the tyre range imported by Tyres 4U, has been with us from the start and it’s been excellent to work with Perry Scarfe, Vince Jones and their team as the concept for Speedshow has grown over the past two years,” says Sharp.
Exide is a brand seen most often on the Toyota Racing Series race car of veteran racer Ken Smith.
“Grant Withers, national account manager for the battery manufacturer couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the value that comes from Exide Technologies being associated with high profile drivers like Ken which lead to them becoming involved with Speedshow,” explains Sharp.
“Ken is essentially an ambassador for Exide,” says Withers. “Ken helps expose our brand to the public in many ways. His determination and racing spirit is undimmed as he heads into his 51st consecutive season of racing. How could our brand not benefit from being associated with a racer like Ken? He often gets more media coverage than any other driver in the series whether he’s close to the front or not.”
Exide is supporting a display of Ken’s race cars at Speedshow.
New to the event’s format this year is a VIP and media preview of the expo on the afternoon of Friday 19 September and Keith has enlisted the Motor Trade Association’s (MTA) support to help stage the special preview.
MTA’s Lucy Brown says the organisation decided to use motorsport as a means to boost their brand presence across a number of areas several years ago.
“With its wide appeal, dynamic aspect and clear link to the day-to-day business activities of most of our members, motorsport was an obvious avenue for us to pursue,” comments Brown. “We have seized the opportunity to become involved with the Speedshow, as it is one of the few hands-on opportunities for people to experience all that motorsport has to offer, away from the track.
“Formula Ford, the MotorSport New Zealand-sanctioned motor racing championship that MTA sponsors, represents one of the great development and learning classes for drivers in this country, and it has been the starting place for many champions. We’re keen to work with Speedshow organisers to make sure people got a better idea of just what’s involved.”
Sharp has also secured the support of John Andrew Ford, the well-established Ford dealer in Auckland City. “In keeping with the performance-oriented core of Speedshow, John Andrew Ford and its sister dealership North Harbour Ford will showcase the latest Ford Performance Vehicles range,” says Sharp.
Long-time sponsor of the BMW Racing Series, Jerry Clayton BMW will support the ever-growing class at Speedshow. The BMW Racing Series display will feature a wide range of racing machinery from the iconic BMW 2002 through to a state-of-the-art current World Touring Car, and rarely-seen race cars such as the Benson and Hedges-sponsored M3 raced at Bathurst by former F1 World Champion Denny Hulme.
Keith’s development of a live action arena brings a new dimension to the show. Known as the Ezybuy Car Auctions Live Action Arena, three shows will run on Saturday and Sunday including the Drive Rush stunt driving and car control show; the Super Mini Challenge, a testing motorkhana being contested by members of the Auckland Mini Club; and demonstration rides with one of only two Carver motorbikes in the country.
Sharp adds: “We can’t forget the fantastic efforts of Honda New Zealand and Jenners Worldwide Freight which has allowed us to ship Scott Dixon’s Indy race car to New Zealand specifically for Speedshow. This demonstrates the truly amazing support from these organisations which enables Speedshow to offer race fans an utterly unique experience with Scott’s car.”
“The GT Radial Speedshow has been able to grow this year, its second year, in ways that I could only have dreamed of a year ago thanks to the support of these organisations,” says Sharp. “It’s fantastic to see that our commercial partners see real value in being involved with Speedshow and, in turn, their support allows us to find more and more interesting vehicles for display – the fastest, most powerful, championship-winning vehicles from all areas of motorsport – that’s what the GT Radial Speedshow is all about!”
News on the 2008 GT Radial Speedshow is regularly updated on the event’s website, www.speedshow.co.nz, which also provides information on tickets, the venue and opening hours and the opportunity to sign up for regular newsletters.