Sponsorship could hit record levels for TT 2008, with existing and new partners signing multi-year deals to be part of the event.
Several of the sponsorship deals already secured were announced on Monday evening at the official TT 2008 launch party at the Villa Marina, Douglas.
With negotiations for the two main rights of overall event sponsor and the Superbike and Senior sponsorships close to conclusion, and many other sponsorships already confirmed, the Isle of Man Government’s Department of Tourism and Leisure is confident the figure for sponsorship revenue generated for the Centenary TT will be exceeded.
All of the individual race packages and preferred partner deals have been negotiated by UK-based agency Signature Sponsorship, which is responsible for all of the commercial interests of the TT.
The money generated is invested back into the races and contributes towards the operating costs and, in particular, the investment in safety of running this prestigious event.
Scottish Life International, the Isle of Man-based international life assurance company, and Sure Mobile, the trading name for Cable & Wireless in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, have both chosen to take race sponsorships.
In multi-year agreements The Scottish Life International Superstock Race and Sure Mobile Sidecar Races will commence with the 2008 TT.
Scottish Life International chief executive officer David Kneeshaw said:
‘As a Manx company with a long established link with the TT, we are proud to be associated with the 2008 races.’
Both partners benefit from trackside signage, podium branding, hospitality and credits in all relevant official materials.
Following a successful first year in 2007, Sure has increased its support of the TT and will use the event to showcase its technology through the provision of mobile phone handsets and Blackberry devices to assist race officials. Sure is also working on some exciting developments for TT fans which will be announced later in the year.
The two Supersport races are now sponsored by Relentless Energy Drink, also in a long term deal.
Relentless is already involved in the TT with the Relentless Suzuki by TAS team. The addition of a second Supersport race reflects the popularity of the event, which was regarded as the race of the week in 2007.
The returning Lightweight and Ultra Lightweight races, for 125cc and 250cc machines, on the Billown Circuit in the south of the Isle of Man, will be sponsored by The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, which increases its over and above the traditional Steam Packet Races agreement.
Unisys Corporation, the worldwide technology services and solutions company, which has an established presence in the Isle of Man and is a key IT supplier to the Island’s Government, continues to sponsor the official TT Speed Trap on Sulby Straight.
Arai Helmet continues its long term support of the TT. Arai was founded in 1937 by Hirotake Arai and his son Michio ‘mitch’ Arai took over the family business and is today company president.
The company was launched in Europe in 1983, and today Arai Helmet Europe exports helmets to more than 40 countries.
Tourism and Leisure Minister Adrian Earnshaw said:
‘We are very pleased that all of these prestigious companies, both from on and off-Island, have demonstrated their long term support to the TT, which shows the races enduring strength.’
‘I’m encouraged that we have secured increased sponsorship revenues compared with the 2007 Centenary, which I believe proves the approach to our commercial management is the correct one.’
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