Pirelli "is to become the title sponsor for both the Spanish Grand Prix and the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2014." The Italian firm, sole supplier for the F1 World Championship, "will lend its support to both European rounds and will be known as the Gran Premio de Espana Pirelli (Spain) and the Pirelli Magyar Nagydij (Hungary)" (CRASH, 3/5). ... Czech automobile manufacturer ŠKODA has extended its sponsorship as official vehicle partner of the Tour de France through '18, as brokered by French marketing company ASO. The deal includes nine other races, including the Tour of Spain (Vuelta), which the company has sponsored since '11 (ŠKODA). ... Pro 12 rugby side Connacht Rugby announced a new three-year partnership with Irish firm Murray Timber Group beginning this summer. The Murray Timber Group logo will appear on Connacht Rugby playing shirts (Connacht Rugby). ... The South African FA announced that the Motsepe Foundation would sponsor the SAFA Second Division League for the next five years. The league will now be known as the ABC Motsepe League and will carry a first prize of R1-M ($93,000) to the winning team, of which R200,000 ($18,700) will be used for development purposes. The runner-up prize will be R500,000 ($46,700), of which R100,000 ($9,300) will be used for development purposes. The partnership will also explore ways to develop administration at all levels to establish sound management of the league and improve football administration in the country (SAFA).
