BP and its Castrol brand will supply the McLaren Formula 1 team with fuel and lubricants this season in addition to rival Renault. Honda-powered McLaren said on Friday that BP "will also supply products for sportscar maker McLaren Automotive." The announcement "had been expected and continues a shake-up that started in December" when ExxonMobil ended its 21-year partnership with McLaren and switched to Red Bull (REUTERS, 2/10).
Championship rugby side Bradford Bulls announced a partnership with Utilita Energy, which will become the main shirt sponsor this season. The independent energy supplier will replace Provident, which is continuing its sponsorship of the stadium and main stand. Utilita expects to "welcome its 500,000th consumer shortly" -- up from just 200,000 as recently as 18 months ago (TELEGRAPH & ARGUS, 2/10).
Swedish company Sail Racing Int'l was appointed as the official clothing partner of the World Match Racing Tour. The Sail Racing team will develop limited collections in partnership with the WMRT, both technical race gear designed to the requirements of the M32 catamaran as well as official WMRT merchandise for fans and shore crew (WMRT).
Irish airline Ryanair signed a two-year deal with Aintree Racecourse to become the new title sponsor of the Grade One Stayers’ Hurdle at the Grand National Festival. The £150,000 ($187,300) Ryanair Stayers’ Hurdle (registered as the Liverpool Hurdle) is part of Grand National Day (LIVERPOOL ECHO, 2/9).
Australian Football League side GWS Giants named apparel brand XBlades its on and off-field apparel partner for the next three years. XBlades will work with the players to produce apparel (GWS Giants).
The European Handball Federation named Dutch company Axitour Communication Systems its preferred supplier of referee communication systems for the next three years. Referees will be equipped with the system for matches across all of the federation’s club and national team competitions including the EHF Champions League, EHF Cup and the EHF Euro as well as beach handball events (EHF).
French motor oil producer Motul and Dorna World Superbikes Organization announced that the brand will once again be the main sponsor of the second round of the Superbike World Championship, which will take place from March 10-12 at Chang Int'l Circuit in Thailand (WSBK).
