New name for ‘The Bend’ after huge OTR sale

The Bend Motorsport Park will have a slightly different appearance in the future after the sale of the OTR Group, which is a South Australian based retail fuel and convenience store chain.

Viva Energy, which operates with the famous Shell brand in Australia, has struck a deal with the Shahin family-owned Peregrine Corporation, the owners of The Bend motorsport facility, to buy the OTR Group for $1.15 billion.

As part of the purchase of the OTR fuel outlet business from the Peregrine Corporation, a deal has been done for a decade-long naming rights partnership with The Bend Motorsport Park.

The South Australian motorsport facility has been run by the Shahin family, with OTR banding commonly seen all over the pit straight since it opened in 2018.

But under a new deal, which rolls into action on July 1, new Viva Energy branding, most likely to be Shell, may appear at the state-of-the-art facility.

The new signage at The Bend will likely be seen from July 1, ahead of the Supercars event on August 18-20.

“This is an exciting time for The Bend,” said managing director of The Bend Motorsport Park, Sam Shahin.

“I expect the partnership with Viva Energy will further build on The Bend’s reputation as a world class motorsport facility and will accelerate the venue’s next phase of growth as a top tier destination for both corporate and private clients across motorsport and non-motorsport events.

“There is a natural synergy between The Bend and Viva Energy as a supplier of high-quality Shell fuels and lubricants in Australia.

“I am looking forward to a long term association with Viva Energy as we work to expand the facility and uses of the venue.

“The announcement today marks an incredibly exciting time for our company, delivering on several core objectives; to see OTR national, to be the leading convenience brand in Australia and to remain true to our roots headquartered in Adelaide,” said OTR founder Yasser Shahin.

The announcement arrives as speculation builds surrounding the development of a new motorsport facility at Avalon in Victoria on land that is adjoining the Avalon Airfield, which is leased to the Linfox organisation, the owners of Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

Industry rumours suggest that the new facility would likely cost beyond $500 million, will see the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport Limited run the venue for some years, with ownership then reverting to the Linfox organisation.

It is believed the facility will be co-funded by the Victorian State Government and the Linfox Property Group, which may seek to sell the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit to fund their part of the Avalon project.

Should the venue be for sale, industry chatter suggests that one of the potential buyers is the Shahin family’s Peregrine Corporation.

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