Orrcon Extends FPR Support
Ford Performance Racing will continue with support from long-time backer Orrcon Steel for at least another season after the two companies agreed terms for 2014.
Next season will be the eighth for the partnership and will herald the 13th-consecutive year Orrcon Steel has invested in the category.
“We are delighted to announce our 13th year of V8 Supercars sponsorship and another year with the FPR team in 2014 and further strengthen our customer relationships through our links with the motorsport program,” said Orrcon Steel managing director Leon Andrewartha.
“While the corporate relationship with the team has been strong over these years, it is the platform the sponsorship provides to enable our customers and staff to interact with the FPR team that brings all parts of our business together.
“Our motto is ‘we’ll see it through’ and so far this year we’ve seen the achievement of Bathurst Champions for Frosty and Steve Richards and hopefully see our long association with Mark Winterbottom culminate in him successfully taking out the Driver Championship this year as well.
“We look forward to the FPR team’s ongoing success and we are pleased our long association can continue through 2014.”
FPR team principal Tim Edwards welcome the extension of what has been a very successful relationship on and off the track.
“We are of course very pleased to extend with Orrcon Steel for at least another year as they have become part of this team over their many years in the sport,” Edwards said.
“They set the benchmark in corporate entertainment when they were our title sponsor for many years and we have enjoyed a lot of success together so it is positive for the sport that another long- term supporter has recommitted.”
Edwards said the Orrcon confirmation was positive news in a challenging sponsor environment.
“Sport globally is facing a tough time finding sponsorship and V8 Supercars isn’t immune,” he said.
“This year we will see the departure from our program of long-time partners Ford Performance Vehicles, WesTrac CAT and Dunlop.
“While the end of the FPV deal is no surprise given the recent announcement about the brand, we unfortunately also say goodbye to two of our longest-serving and most loyal partners.
“WesTrac CAT has been a huge supporter of motorsport in Australia and Dunlop and its dealers have been big supporters of our team but sponsorships naturally run their course at some point.
“The exciting prospect is that we have the ability to bring a number of new partners into the sport to replace them. We are in discussion with a number of companies but also still have opportunities available.”
FPR is fresh from back-to-back wins at Bathurst and the Gold Coast and is looking to continue its streak this weekend at Phillip Island where drivers Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison will resume their championship battle at the track where they won both races last season.
Winterbottom finished today's first race seventh, Davison eighth.
