Key Sponsors Supporting Factory Team

LONG-TERM V8Supercar sponsors have been attracted by the lure of competing – and hopefully winning –with a factory team in this year’s V8 Supercar Championship.

Jack Daniel’sand Norton by Symantec appear as the major sponsors on the Nissan Altima’slaunched today in Melbourne, continuing their strong presence in the sport but witha new brand.

Despite theglobal financial concerns surrounding many businesses, the two major brandshave upped their commitment to the sport in line with Nissan’s significant supportof their first factory-supported team in Australian motorsport since 1992.

Jack Daniel’shas long been associated with the Kelly family, whilst Norton has been a majorsponsor of James Moffat as he progressed to the ‘main game’ from the Dunlop V8Supercar Series.

The famous Tennessee-basedspirits company has had a six-year presence in V8 Supercars and first became associatedwith the Kelly Racing outfit in 2009, following an introduction to the sport inAustralia by Larry Perkins several seasons earlier.

“I know everyoneat Jack Daniel’s, including myself, is incredibly excited about the 2013 V8supercar season,” Matthew Harada, Jack Daniel’s senior brand manager, toldV8supercars.com.au.  

“There aresome big changes for the category in 2013 with the introduction of the Car ofThe Future and a new era for Jack Daniel’s Racing, as we partner with Nissanmoving forward.

“We couldn’tbe happier with the move to Nissan and the Car of The Future. For us as along-term sponsor, the new regulations and manufacturers open the sport up to awhile new market and that’s something to be celebrated.

“Everyone atJack Daniel’s Racing has been working hard on this project and we’re excitedabout finally hitting the track at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide. Brown-FormanAustralia couldn’t be happier to be involved with Kelly Racing right from thebeginning and we can’t wait to hit the track for the next era of V8 Supercars.”

Whilst JackDaniel’s will appear on the two Nissan Altima’s to be driven by Rick and ToddKelly, long-time V8 Supercars supporter Norton will stand out on a pair ofbright yellow and black entries to be steered by experienced campaignersMichael Caruso and James Moffat.

As well asbeing a long-term supporter of Moffat, Norton has longstanding links with brandambassador Craig Lowndes and was also a significant sponsor of Triple EightRacing for several seasons.

“This will beour sixth consecutive year supporting V8 Supercars, and to have two new Nissansin Norton livery reflects our commitment to the sport and the fans, who sopassionately follow the series,” Said Norton by Symantec Senior Director forPacific, Matthew Drake.

“We are veryexcited about the partnership with Nissan Motorsport and we enter the 2013season with a shared objective to deliver outstanding results on the track, andto activate our sponsorship off the track.”

As the team’scommercial director, former V8 Supercars champion Rick Kelly says the additionof key brands to the Nissan Motorsport campaign only strengthens their positionahead of the 2013 season.

“Not only do we officiallywelcome James, Michael and Norton to Nissan Motorsport, but we

also unveil our NissanAltima V8 Supercars in race trim,” Kelly said today.

“(The livery) you see today issomething that we've spent a lot of time working on and something we think isdifferent to what you've seen before, and it's something we're quite excitedabout.

NissanMotorsport last week also announced a new partnership with noted Spark Plugmanufacturer, NGK Australia, further strengthening their commercial portfolio.