ŠKODA UK has extended its partnership with the Tour of Britain remaining the Official Car of the cycling extravaganza.

As part of the sponsorship deal, ŠKODA UK will again sponsor the King of the Mountains jersey and will also be official vehicle partner to the Pearl Izumi Tour Series and Tour Rides.

The Tour of Britainis the UK’s biggest professional cycle race and the country’s largest free-to-spectate live sporting event, taking place between 7-14 September.This year’s event will be the eleventh edition of the modern Tour, since its revival in 2004.

As the official car partner, ŠKODA UK will supply 50 support vehicles for the event; these include the flagship ŠKODA Superb, Octavia Estate, Yeti and Rapid Spaceback. The brand will also sponsor the prestigious King of the Mountains jersey which is awarded to the best climber in the race. Riders will compete for points at designated ŠKODA King of the Mountain climbs on each road stage of The Tour.

Emily Burns, Communications Manager for ŠKODA UK commented: “We’re extremely proud of ŠKODA’s heritage in cycling and our continued partnership with Tour of Britain offers an exciting opportunity to demonstrate our support for the sport and be a part of a world-class cycling festival.”

Alastair Grant, Commercial Director for SweetSpot, added: “We are delighted to be able to continue our relationship with ŠKODA UK. The reliability and practicality of ŠKODA UK’s model range make them the perfect partner for professional cycling events. We look forward to working together on what is set to be another exciting year for the world of cycling.”

Golf Queensland have extended their sponsorship with Srixon who will return as a sponsor for the 2014 Isuzu Queensland Open.

The State-based championship will be played from 28 to 31 August 2014 and hosted at the Brookwater Golf and Country Club.

Golf Queensland chair Peter Castrisos said it was pleasing to welcome Srixon back as a sponsor of the Isuzu Queensland Open.

“Golf Queensland has a long standing partnership with Srixon and we are thrilled to have them on board for this Championship, for sale ” Mr Castrisos said.

In 2013, Golf Queensland successfully reinstated the Championship to the PGA Tour of Australasia calendar with PGA Professional Nick Cullen adding his name to the list of high profile winners. 

“With the support of our sponsors such as Srixon we hope to build on the success of 2013 ensuring for the long-term stability of the Isuzu Queensland Open.” 

Manager Director for Srixon, Martin Wright said the company was pleased to partner with Golf Queensland and support the State-based Championship.

“The Isuzu Queensland Open is an important Championship for not only Professional golfers but also Amateurs,” Mr Wright said.

“Srixon is proud to align its brand with an event that helped leverage the careers of golfers like Greg Norman, Ian Baker-Finch and Peter Senior to international prominence.”

airweave, arthritis the top-selling brand for premium bedding toppers in Japan, has become an official sponsor for the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

The Kraft Nabisco Championship is one of the five major championships on the LPGA Tour and has established itself over the past 43 years as one of the most prestigious events in all of women’s sports.

airweave will provide the top 115 professional women golfers from around the world including the top amateurs and future stars, with a high quality sleep experience by supplying each with one of its highly resilient bedding toppers for use throughout their stay.

As a part of its sponsorship, airweave will supply each golfer with a custom designed portable topper “airweave portable DUAL MODE”. This special topper provides a different level of firmness on each side. Golfers can choose one side or the other, depending on their body’s current physical condition.

The Championship is scheduled for April 3–6.

ThorSport Racing driver Jeb Burton has secured a new sponsorship deal with VaporBrands.

The new deal will include the Kroger 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway. 

“Having VaporBrands and its VAMP e-cig colors back on our Tundra at Martinsville is a big deal for me and ThorSport because of the way our organization runs there and the incredible fan support I have at my home track,” said Burton, a native of nearby Halifax, Va. “We’re looking forward to getting our short-track Tundra out there and showing everyone what we can do with it.”

Because two of the drivers that finished in front of him are not registered for points in the NCWTS, Burton heads to Martinsville fifth in the championship. That’s three positions behind Sauter, who was third at Daytona and five spots in front of Crafton, who finished 13th.

“I’m coming to Martinsville with a new team and a new crew and we have to get our notebooks on the same page, if you will,” Burton said recently. “But ThorSport as an organization has a great track record here, and that counts for a lot, too.

ThorSport is still trying to locate additional sponsorship for Burton to enable his team to potentially run the full, 22-race schedule. Burton finished fifth in the 2013 championship, the highest-placed rookie contender, but was second in the Truck Series’ Rookie of the Year race. 

“Mr. and Mrs. Thorson (Duke and Rhonda, team owners) have given me a great opportunity and I appreciate everything they’ve done for me and my family,:” Burton said. “We’re doing everything we can to find additional sponsorhip and the most important thing is for us to keep running good.

“Dennis (Connor, three-time NCWTS champion crew chief) and the guys have been working hard on our Tundras and I have no doubt the piece we unload at Martinsville will be a good one. It’s huge for me to come to my home track fifth in points, with a brand-new race team — that’s like a win already.”

The Irish Champion Stakes will have a new sponsor after QIPCO Holding agreed a three-year deal with Horse Racing Ireland to sponsor the event.

The mile-and-a-quarter Group One, run at Leopardstown on September 13, is the feature race on day one of the new Irish Champions Weekend.

The prize-fund for this year’s QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes will be 1,000,000 euros up from E750,000 in 2013.

QIPCO is already a major sponsor in the UK, backing British Champions Day at Ascot and other feature races including the 2000 and 1000 Guineas.

QIPCO Holding director Sheikh Fahad Bin Abdullah Al Thani said: “The deal builds on our existing ties and investment in Ireland via the horses in training we have there under the banner of Qatar Racing, a subsidiary of QIPCO Holding.

“Sponsorship of the Irish Champion Stakes compliments our portfolio of interests in Britain, which include the key middle-distance championship races at Ascot, the King George and the QIPCO Champions Stakes on British Champions Day.”

HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh said: “The Irish Champion Stakes is one of the most important races in the international flat racing calendar.

“With the involvement of QIPCO it can become the first leg of a ‘Triple Crown’ of European Championship races, followed by the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp and the QIPCO British Champions Stakes at Ascot in October.”

Liberty University has signed with William Byron to sponsor the No. 9 Late Model Stock car he is driving for JR Motorsports.

The school will receive primary branding on the No. 9 late model as Byron competes regionally in the NASCAR Whelen Series for JR Motorsports this season.

“We welcome this opportunity to partner with William Byron, order a young man who possesses the skills and values to become a champion, sales not only on the racetrack, but personally and professionally as well,” said Jerry Falwell, President of Liberty University.

Byron is in his first season with JR Motorsports. He joined the late model program in January after a 2013 U.S. Legends Cars debut that featured 33 wins and a Young Lions Division national championship. So far this year, the 16-year-old sophomore at Charlotte (N.C.) Country Day School has finished second in two late model races at Hickory (N.C) Motor Speedway.

“I am proud to represent such a fine university,” said Byron. “Liberty University provides a number of opportunities both on campus and online to accommodate those seeking a higher education. I understand the importance of balancing my education and passion for racing, that’s why this is a perfect partnership. In addition to representing Liberty on the track in my JR Motorsports car, I look forward to enrolling in my first online college class this summer.”

“William, like so many of Liberty’s students, has applied skills developed and refined through virtual educational technologies to achieve practical success,” said Falwell. “Liberty is honored to spread the word about its unique educational opportunities while partnering with this rising star of racing.”

English League Two team Chesterfield FC have announced a new long-term contract extension with global sports brand Puma  

The agreement sees Puma continue as the club’s official supplier and licensee partner of replica merchandise.

Puma have supplied the club with their technical and replica kit and training wear for the last two seasons and the extension will see them continue to do so for the 2014/15 season and beyond.

Chesterfield director Ashley Carson said: “After two successful years with Puma, we are delighted to announce that the relationship is being extended.

“In the period we have been working together, Puma have supplied us with fantastic kits and training wear, which have been incredibly popular with fans and players alike. This is more great news for the club in what has been a successful season on and off the pitch.”

Ruth How, marketing director of Puma UK, added: “Chesterfield’s success in their division – and in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy this season – is just rewards for a club that is central to their community.

“We’re delighted to be able to extend our contract and continue supplying kits as the team looks to cap off a fantastic year by securing automatic promotion to League One. We wish the club the best of luck for the remainder of the season.”