US automobile manufacturer Ford has secured an agreement with the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) to be the Official Automotive Partner of IMSA, the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship and the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.

As part of the partnership, an EcoBoost-powered Ford Taurus SHO will be the “Official Safety Car” for Saturday’s Tequila Patrón Sports Car Showcase at Long Beach. 

“When you see the Ford EcoBoost Riley prototypes racing, you’re truly seeing Ford Motor Company’s latest technology proven on the race track,” said Jamie Allison, director of Ford Racing. “That’s why the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship is an important platform for Ford Racing and Ford. Racing the technology supports the development of production vehicles consumers drive every day, and vice-versa.” 

In addition to the TUDOR Championship program, five Ford Mustang Boss 302Rs compete in the 2014 Continental Tire Challenge. Ford has 38 victories and 22 pole positions in Continental Tire Challenge competition. 

“Ford’s multi-year commitment to IMSA and the TUDOR Championship is another very important partnership for us,” said IMSA Vice President, Marketing David Pettit. “Likewise, Ford has enjoyed a long and successful history with its iconic Mustangs in the Continental Tire Challenge. Both series allow Ford to showcase its impressive technology – which transfers directly to its consumer products – benefitting all involved in this partnership.”

Bass Pro Shops have joined Richard Childress Racing as a primary sponsor of Austin Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet SS at Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway.

Bass Pro Shops first began its association with RCR and its No. 3 Sprint Cup Series car in 1998 with an associate sponsorship of the GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo made famous by seven-time Sprint Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt Sr.

“All of us at Bass Pro Shops are excited about continuing our friendship and business relationship with our long-time friend Richard Childress and sponsoring Austin Dillon during his rookie season in the Sprint Cup Series,” said Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. The No. 3 car is where we got our start so it’s great to see it back in action.”

A longtime motorsports supporter, Bass Pro Shops’ association with Dillon dates back to 2010, when the company partnered with RCR for Dillon’s first foray into fulltime NASCAR competition with sponsorship of the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The Bass Pro Shops/Dillon duo earned the Camping World Truck Series Championship in 2011 and Bass Pro Shops was also partners with Dillon and RCR in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

“Johnny Morris and everyone at Bass Pro Shops have been alongside me for a majority of my racing accomplishments,” said Dillon. “I have photos of a giant Bass Pro Shops logo on the hood of my first Bandolero car when I was just starting out racing. They’ve been featured on my dirt late model and Bass Pro Shops was the primary sponsor of my truck when we won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship. I have countless memories of growing up hunting and fishing with Johnny and his son, John Paul. They are true friends so it means so much that they can be a part of my rookie season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, especially at tracks like Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway that have so much history with RCR.”

GEICO EnduroCross has announced a partnership with Pro Taper, ed the industry leader in innovative hard part manufacturing, generic as the official handlebar of the GEICO EnduroCross Series.

As the official handlebar, doctor Pro Taper supports the talented EnduroCross competitors through their line of premium hard parts products built to take on the demanding race conditions in stride. Once again, Pro Taper brings the extremely popular Pro Taper Foot Race to the EnduroCross night program. 

The highly popular intermission event gives lucky fans an up-close and personal look at what it’s like to race on the world’s most challenging off-road courses. And the fans in the seats get an entertaining, wild show. 

“Pro Taper is proud to be the official handlebar of EnduroCross for the seventh straight season,” said Pro Taper’s marketing manager, Paul Perebijnos. “The challenging obstacles and intense racing action are a great platform to showcase Pro Taper’s line of innovative and durable products. And the Pro Taper Foot Race is icing on the cake for the lucky fans that get on the track to battle it out on foot over the same course the pros are racing on.” 

“EnduroCross values partnerships and our relationship with Pro Taper provides an incredible combination of industry power and entertainment,” said Lance Bryson, Director of Sales and Marketing for EnduroCross. “You won’t find a more dedicated handle bar company to racing and you certainly won’t find a more entertaining intermission race than the Pro Taper Foot Race.”

Rheem Manufacturing Company, announced today that their Ruud brand will sponsor the No. 99 Toyota Camry driven by James Buescher for several races during the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) season.

The first race to debut the special Ruud paint scheme on the No. 99 will be at Darlington Raceway on April 11. Ruud, a member of the Rheem Manufacturing Company’s family of quality brands, is a leading heating, cooling and water heating solutions provider in major markets throughout in the U.S. and Canada.

“The Ruud brand has been providing superior reliability to homes and businesses for over one hundred years. The Ruud reputation for engineering excellence, durability, strength and top performance has been consistently recognized by leading consumer publications as a brand that can be trusted to deliver efficient, reliable performance over the long haul. So, associating this durable brand and its proud history of top performance with former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion, James Buescher driving the RAB Racing No. 99 Camry is a great fit and a proud moment for our company and the Ruud brand, said JR Jones, President and CEO.

In two previous NNS starts at the 1.366-mile oval, Buescher has one top-10 finish. Buescher has also competed at the Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in two events and has recorded two top-10s. The Texan is competing for his first NASCAR Nationwide Series championship. Through the first six events, former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion is currently sitting ninth in points. 

“I’m excited to represent the Ruud brand once again this season,” said James Buescher. “Ruud is a very trusted, respected brand and to be able to carry their colors makes me proud. I am especially looking forward to the Darlington race, not only have I had some success at the track but there will be a large contingent of South Carolina Ruud contractors and Ruud distributor, McCall’s Supply in attendance. I know I will have strong support from them.”

Leading jerky brand Oberto has agreed a partnership with premier obstacle course series, Tough Mudder. 

Oberto, known for its high in protein, all natural beef jerky, is joining the Tough Mudder family to promote the Oberto America’s PROtein campaign, which urges consumers to eat well and be active. Oberto will be an experiential partner at all Tough Mudder events in North America with sampling and on-site fan engagements. Additionally, as Mudders complete an on-site fit challenge, Oberto will make donations to Wounded Warrior Project totaling $100,000.

“Partnering with Tough Mudder is a great opportunity for us to showcase our all natural jerky at events with fans looking to ‘Eat Excellent’ and ‘Be Excellent,'” said Greg Yahn, Vice President of Marketing for Oberto Brands. “The Mudders participating in these events are living active lifestyles, and those who take on the fit challenges are helping raise awareness and funds to support Wounded Warrior Project — something that is very important to us here at Oberto.”

The alliance between Oberto and Tough Mudder will highlight Oberto’s America’s PROtein campaign — a yearlong partnership between Oberto and some of the world’s greatest athletes, including Louie Vito, as well as celebrity trainer and nutritionist, Harley Pasternak. As part of the campaign, Oberto and influential athletes will come together to inform fans of the value and role of lean, all natural protein in their daily lives.

“It’s great to not only see a brand like Oberto encourage people to be active and eat well but also give generously to non-profits like Wounded Warrior Project,” said Simon Massie-Taylor, Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Brand Adjacencies at Tough Mudder LLC. “Oberto’s donation will make a significant impact on the lives touched by Wounded Warrior Project.”

Monster Energy Drink have expanded their two-year partnership with the Professional Bull Riders (PBR).

Monster currently supports the elite Built Ford Tough Series and a team of bull riders and will now also sponsor PBR’s premier Brazilian circuit.

The Monster Energy PBR will consist of 30 elite events throughout Brazil and kicks off at ExpoLondrina on April 11. The series will include stops in Americana, Guaxupe, Sao Jose do Rio Preto and Barretos.

Monster Energy becomes the second U.S. brand to support the PBR’s most popular international series, joining Stanley Black & Decker. More than 400 PBR bull riders compete throughout the summer months in Brazil for $1.5 million in total prize money and valuable points which count toward qualification for the prestigious PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas and the PBR World Championship.

“Bull riding is hugely popular in Brazil and half of the PBR riders we sponsor, Guilherme and Robson, are from there,” said Mitch Covington, vice president of sports marketing for Monster Energy. “Whether in the U.S. or Brazil, the PBR’s intensity and its fan base’s passion align perfectly with Monster Energy’s brand. This is a great opportunity for Monster Energy to reach a built-in audience who is very loyal to the PBR and its Brazilian stars.”

“Monster Energy’s sportfolio is synonymous with extremism, pushing limits and living on the edge,” said Jim Haworth, Chairman and CEO of the PBR. “It appeals to a group who desires not only the best, but also the MOST. The PBR and its athletes strive for the MOST every second of every ride, making this a synergistic partnership with great potential for both entities.”

“We are extremely excited to have such a great partner as title sponsor of our Brazilian series,” said Dave Cordovano, chief global events officer for the PBR. “Monster Energy is an iconic brand with worldwide recognition and is involved with only the best sports organizations and their athletes. Our partnership will take the sport to the next level in Brazil.”

English League Two club Rochdale AFC have confirmed a renewal to their partnership with Crown Oil Ltd with the fuel brand remaining the club’s shirt sponsors.

The deal sees Crown Oil, who have been the club’s front of shirt sponsors for the 2013/14 season extend their sponsorship for a further two seasons with an option on a third.

Iain Johnstone, Dale’s Corporate Sales and Sponsorship Manager, said: “We are delighted that Crown Oil have extended their sponsorship and we look forward to working with them in the seasons ahead.

“We have enjoyed an excellent season with their support and we now have a deal in place that helps us build for the future and enjoy the continuity of their sponsorship. On behalf of the club I would like to thank Crown Oil for their support this season and for the foreseeable future with this new deal.

Crown Oil’s Managing Director, Matt Greensmith, added: “We have built a strong partnership with Rochdale AFC over the past year and I am personally very happy to see the relationship continue. It’s great to see a local team doing well and creating a great atmosphere among the supporters and within our business – as many of our employees are also supporters of the club.

“We are very confident that the team will continue their recent run of good form and get promoted to League One. Hopefully our involvement with the club will help them to promote themselves on a national level for the upcoming and future seasons.”

Kurt Manufacturing’s Kinetic trainer brand has expanded its athlete and team sponsorship program this year as international sales grow.

“It is very important for us to be involved in road and mountain bike racing, and riding at every level from enthusiasts to pro teams as we continue to grow,” said Kinetic marketing manager David Simpson. “With a range of well-established markets and smaller emerging markets to serve, we’ve worked closely with our European distribution partners to find the right balance of teams and individuals to support.”

Kinetic is sponsoring three UCI professional women’s road teams, one UCI professional continental men’s road team, five UCI continental men’s road teams, two cyclocross professional men’s teams, a Spanish UCI Elite U-23 development team, two professional mountain bike teams, and one Latvian top-10 ranked UCI world MTB marathon racer. The company also recently announced its sponsorship of two world champion triathletes.

“The hero worship surrounding professional teams and their athletes is hard to quantify, but it is definitely there with race fans and strongly corresponds with a brand’s image,” said Bruce Fina, Kinetic’s European sales and marketing manager. “We’ve all done it, when we first got into the sport, checking out what the pros used to see what was cool and what we should buy. Unless you’re pretty jaded, a lot of us still do it even now as experienced cyclists.”

Kinetic’s team list is as follows:

UCI Pro Women’s Teams
USA: Team TIBCO Women’s Pro Cycling
Italy: Astana BePink Women’s Team
Spain: Team Lointek

UCI Pro Continental Men’s Teams
Team Novo Nordisk

UCI Continental Teams
USA: Jelly Belly
Austria: Team Vorarlberg
Germany: Team Stuttgart Pro Cycling – Stuttgart and KED Stevens Cycling Team – Berlin
Slovenia: Adria Mobil Pro Cycling Team

Other Professional Teams
Belgium: Telenet-Fidea Pro Cycling Team (Cyclocross)
USA: Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com (Cyclocross)
Spain: Construcciones Paulino Cycling Team (UCI Elite U-23 team)

Mountain Bike
USA: Team Topeak-Ergon and LUNA Chix Pro Team
Latvia: Dana Rozlapa

Professional Triathletes
USA: Kevin Collington
Europe: Frederik Van Lierde

Leading compression brand Skins has announced an extension to their partnership with the Australian Rugby Union team until 2017.

The partnership, cialis which began in 2010, sees SKINS continue as the Official Compression Garment of the Qantas Wallabies.

SKINS will continue to work closely with the Qantas Wallabies players, coaching and support staff to provide a full range of compression solutions, guaranteeing that each time the squad takes to the training ground or goes into battle against their opponents, they will be performing at their absolute peak.

The players will also continue to work with the SKINS Development Team to provide insights to inspire new products. Most recently, this led to the creation of the SKINS Power Shorts designed specifically for Qantas Wallabies players to maximise explosive power on the field.

Speaking about the extension of the relationship, SKINS Chairman Jaimie Fuller said: “We are proudly Australian and we are keen to support Australian teams as they take to the pitch to show their talent and combative spirit to the world.

“This truly is a partnership, working collaboratively with elite athletes like the Qantas Wallabies helps to shape our product offering and we look forward to working with this great group of athletes for the next four years.”

Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver added: “We have had a terrific relationship with SKINS over the last four years and we are excited about partnering with them for the next four years. There is a natural synergy between the Qantas Wallabies and SKINS, with both striving for high quality performance.”