Defending Indianapolis 500 champions, KV Racing Technology and driver Townsend Bell announced today that Royal Purple will be an associate sponsor on the No. 6 Robert Graham – KV Racing Technology Chevrolet/Dallara/Firestone entry for the 2014 Indianapolis 500.

The event is set to take place on May 25, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.

“I first raced with Royal Purple last year at the X Games in Munich, Germany,” Bell said. “It is really cool that they have added their support to my Indy 500 effort in addition to their support of my TUDOR United SportsCar Championship AIM Autosport Ferrari program. I just want to thank everyone at Royal Purple and I look forward to enjoying the whole Indy 500 experience with their employees and customers.”

Royal Purple manufactures a wide range of premium synthetic lubricants for racing, consumer, commercial and industrial applications. In addition to Bell’s Indy 500 and TUDOR United SportsCar Championship programs, Royal Purple supports a variety of racing series programs including rally cross, NHRA drag racing and NHRA junior drag racing, Formula SAE programs and other grassroots racing teams. 

“We are excited to extend our partnership with Townsend Bell as he competes in the Indianapolis 500 in the backyard of our parent company Calumet Specialty Product Partners,” said Bryan Yourdon, Royal Purple President. “Townsend’s talent behind the wheel has been demonstrated at two of the premier TUDOR United SportsCar Championship races at Daytona and Sebring this season, and we look forward to supporting his success at the Indianapolis 500,” he added. 

Bell, a 39-year-old American, who resides in Pacific Palisades, CA spends much of his time now as a Verizon IndyCar Series broadcast analyst for NBC Sports. He also competes in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship driving for AIM Autosport with Ferrari. 

The United Pallet Network (UPN) has entered into a sponsorship agreement with VCM Motorsports to sponsor BRDC upcoming driver Harrison Scott in the 2014 Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain.

In the agreement, the UPN brand will be prominently displayed on either side and on the nose cone of the Falcon Motorsport #6 Mygale, Harrison’s race car, for the duration of the current season.

The decision to sponsor 18 year-old Harrison, from Althorne, Essex, was taken by David Brown, Commercial Director, UPN who explains, “Since we developed the new brand for UPN, we have invested heavily in raising its awareness. We have been following the successes of Harrison’s racing career for a few seasons now and believe that this sponsorship deal will help to further increase our brand awareness, as Harrison’s successes continue.”

In his rookie year of single seater racing, Harrison won the 2013 Scholarship Championship in Formula Ford with his Falcon Motorsport team and is currently runner up in the main 2014 British Formula Ford Championship after only two events. The series continues this weekend at Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire, with six further UK rounds before the season finale at Brands Hatch, Kent on 11-12 October.

Harrison added: “I would like to thank David and United Pallet Network for their valuable support. 2014 is an extremely exciting year for me and will hopefully prove to be another milestone in my racing career. With the assistance and belief in me from companies such as UPN and VCM Motosports I am able to pursue my passion and I hope that this will be the start of a long and successful partnership, all the way to Formula 1.”

Cricket Ireland has announced Newstalk 106-108 fm as the new sponsor of the 2014 Interprovincial Series.

The event will see Leinster Lightning, medstore Northern Knights and the North West Warriors competing across the Newstalk Interprovincial 3-day Championship, unhealthy 50-over Cup and 20-over Trophy.

Ger Gilroy, cough Newstalk sports editor, said: “Cricket has seen a surge in popularity, across Ireland, in recent years and we are seeing more and more young people taking to the sport. Our seven-day Off the Ball offering is designed to keep listeners up-to-date with the latest developments across all sports. We are delighted to sponsor the Interprovincial Series and we look forward to supporting the teams throughout the season.” 

Dennis Cousins, Head of Commercial at Cricket Ireland, also welcomed the new deal saying: “We are delighted to welcome Newstalk into the Cricket Ireland family. Newstalk’s national reach and strong sports offering will no doubt help drive the ongoing growth of and interest in Irish cricket.”

“The Interprovincial Series is the bridge between club cricket and international cricket. It is extremely important in aiding Cricket Ireland’s journey to becoming a Test Playing Nation. To have an association with a prestigious, ambitious and dynamic brand like Newstalk is an important development for Cricket Ireland and the Interprovincial Series.”

“Our partnership with Newstalk also means that cricket fans, from across the country, can look forward to increased quality coverage of the game at international and grassroots level, throughout the season ahead.”

The 2014 Newstalk Interprovincial Series will kick-off on Saturday May 3rd at The Hills, when hosts Leinster Lightning take on the North West Warriors in a 50 over contest. Action at Milverton gets under way at 10.45am.

IMG Worldwide has confirmed that ASICS will be the official footwear and apparel sponsor of the 34th Annual Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon taking place on Sunday 1 June, ed in San Francisco.

“The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon is one of my favourite triathlons, pills and after missing last year’s race due to injury, I’m very excited to return to the competition this year,” said ASICS America elite athlete and five-time Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon Champion Andy Potts.

“It’s especially exciting for me as an ASICS athlete to have them on board as a sponsor because it solidifies their commitment to the advancement of this sport and their ongoing support for athletes.”

“We are thrilled to have ASICS America on board for the 2014 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon,” said IMG Senior Vice President James Leitz. “The support from tremendous partners such as ASICS America is a major reason why the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon remains one of the world’s most prestigious races and attracts top international athletes.”

Michelin North America has announced it will sponsor the National Corvette Museum (NCM) Motorsports Park for three years.

Michelin is the first official sponsor and will be the official tire of the park. 

Silvia Mammone, sale order motorsports and sponsorship marketing manager for Michelin North America, said Michelin has had a technical partnership with Corvette racing since 2004. Upon learning that NCM would build a motorsports park, Michelin wanted in.

“I think the partnership with the Corvette Museum is a natural extension of our already existing partnership,” Mammone said.

Michelin will serve as the presenting sponsor for three events at the NCM and Motorsports Park during the term of the contract. Additionally, Michelin will have product testing and supplier events at the park.

The League Managers Association (LMA) has announced today world-renowned silversmith designers and makers of trophies, abortion Thomas Lyte, prostate as new Commercial Partners for 2014/15.

Thomas Lyte has become Official Trophy Supplier to the LMA and will kick off the partnership by providing specially commissioned trophies for the upcoming 2014 LMA Annual Awards on May 12^th.

Thomas Lyte is best known for its sporting trophies such as The Webb Ellis Rugby World Cup, The FA Cup, The Ryder Cup and many more. Through the partnership with the LMA, members and commercial partners can access a bespoke service.  Follow the link here for visuals of what Thomas Lyte can offer.

LMA Chief Executive, Richard Bevan commented on the new partnership: “I am delighted to welcome Thomas Lyte as a commercial partner.  Thomas Lyte is an historic brand synonymous with football over many years – bringing together this heritage with the LMA and the LMA Annual Awards is a great combination.”

CEO at Thomas Lyte, Kevin Baker said: “We are proud to be officially announced as the trophies and award partner of the LMA. Thomas Lyte owns and manages one of the largest luxury craft workshops for fine silverware in the UK and are responsible for the design, restoration and manufacture of some of the most iconic trophies in the World. Commissions include the annual restoration of the FA Cup, trophy commissions for the Asian Football Confederation, the Oceania Football Confederation, UEFA, MLS, the Football League (Skybet) and the Oman Football Association amongst others.

“Thomas Lyte encompasses all that is great about British craftsmanship and we enjoy a strong working relationship with a number of leading Premier League & Football League clubs. We are very much looking forward to working with the LMA and all its members as the official trophies and awards partner.”

Alpari World Match Racing Tour event Stena Match Cup Sweden has signed a new partnership with the Swedish IT and management consulting company HiQ.

As part of the deal, drug the event will have a brand new website.