REPCO SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP CONFIRMED

Repco Supercars championship confirmed – Photo: InSyde Media

The Supercars Championship will have a new naming rights partner for 2021 with Repco being confirmed taking over from Virgin Australia.

By HEATH McALPINE

Repco was hotly tipped to fill the role of Virgin Australia after the airline went into voluntary administration in June this year and was recently announced as the backer of the Bathurst 1000.

A five-year naming rights partnership has been announced between Supercars and Repco, highlighting the auto parts store’s transition to motor sport-focused sponsorship.

“We are so excited to be announcing this partnership with Supercars,” said Wayne Bryant, executive general manager Repco (AU).

“We have a rich history with the sport, and together with the Repco Bathurst 1000, this is our most exhilarating step yet. We can’t wait to work even more closely with Supercars, and with the teams, the drivers, and support crews.

“The Supercars family have shown in recent times how well they have all pulled together for the betterment of the sport and to provide race fans with a superior level of sports entertainment. We are really proud to be given the opportunity to become part of that family and work with them to bring the series to the fans that share our enduring passion.”

Repco’s history is highlighted by its partnership with Sir Jack Brabham, which delivered the 1966 Formula 1 World Driver’s Championship and was backed up the following year by New Zealander Denny Hulme.

It’s engines also powered many Formula 5000s and Sports Sedans through the 1970s.

Most recently, Repco has sponsored Garry Rogers Motorsport through the 2000s and currently adorns the championship-winning DJR Team Penske Ford Mustangs.

Although the company doesn’t construct engines anymore, it has a network of more than 400 automotive parts and accessory stores across Australian and New Zealand.

“We have been building towards this moment for the last three years,” said Jamie Walton, Repco’s Executive General Manager of Merchandise and Strategic Marketing ANZ.

“It’s an honour to become naming rights sponsors for the Supercars series for the next five years, and to have the opportunity to support Australasia’s premier racing series.

“One of the first things we want to do is engage directly with the fans and hear their thoughts on how we can take the Supercars Championship to a whole new level.”

Supercars CEO Sean Seamer is excited by the new partnership given the current climate and welcomed Repco as Supercars’ new naming rights partner.

“We are delighted to have a name that has been associated with Australian motorsport since the 1940s as our naming rights partner for the next five years,” Seamer said.

“Repco has invested considerably in our sport and to carry their name as naming rights partner into 233 million homes across more than 90 countries is great news for both parties.”

“Repco is an iconic international motorsport brand with a proud history, and we are thrilled to extend our partnership with them.”

The Repco Supercars Championship is expected to launch at Bathurst in late-February or early-March next year.

To read more on the plans held for Repco and the Genuine Parts Company, we’ve got an Auto Action exclusive interview with GPC’s Rob Cameron in issue 1793.

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