MMA promotion Bellator MMA have announced global health supplement and lifestyle company Bamboo Nutra as their new Official Nutrition and Supplement Partner in a multi-year deal.

On Friday, help April 4th, live on Spike TV, the alliance formally kicks off during Bellator 115 from the Reno Events Center in Reno, NV. Bamboo Nutra will be strategically integrated throughout all live Bellator broadcasts on Spike in addition to activating a host of consumer touch points on-site and in-market during the coming years.

“In addition to the wide-ranging in the cage and on broadcast integrations with our new partners at Bamboo Nutra, we’ll also be working with our new partners to go into local communities to empower and inspire kids to be the best they can be,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney.

Bellator and Bamboo Nutra are launching a community outreach program called the “Champions Challenge” by going into local schools and jointly talking to kids about awakening the champion within. According to Leighton Dean, VP of Bamboo Nutra, “We want to challenge the kids to step out of their own comfort zone and do something good for others. With that we are challenging the kids to post videos or write letters with what they are doing differently in their communities, including, and most importantly, showing compassion for others.”

“To unite our efforts and tap into the digital realm, we are encouraging the kids to add hashtags to their videos #bellatormma #bamboonutra #championschallenge,” said Rebney.

Bellator and Bamboo Nutra recently completed their first community outreach project at Portola Middle School in Santa Ana, California. As part of the assembly, Bjorn Rebney, cage side announcer Jimmy Smith, Cheick Kongo, Bamboo Nutra’s life coach Rex Crain and a host of other executives spoke to over 300 students on the power and purpose of reaching beyond your dreams.

“The underlying message we want to deliver to the future of the world is to never quit. Never give up. Decide to be great. Expect more from yourself. Go for your dreams and beyond them,” said Dean.

Bellator and Bamboo Nutra will be awarding students with once in a lifetime experiences to attend Bellator events, meet the fighters, go backstage and live the MMA experience.

“At the end of the day, our brands align on many levels – aside from powering our athletes, this relationship marks another very positive step in our efforts to inspire young people to become future champions in whatever they choose to do. And this is a direct alignment with the mentality of our athletes. It doesn’t matter where you come from, your religion, your socio-economic status, it’s about having a vision, striving for better, and getting up when you get knocked down,” said Rebney.

On Friday, April 4th, Vitaly Minakov will look to defend his Bellator Heavyweight World Championship belt against Cheick Kongo during the Main Event.

“The partnership with Bellator was born out of our sponsorship of champion fighter, Cheick Kongo,” said Dean, “With Cheick, we have a high profile and accomplished athlete that upholds the values and ideals of the Bamboo Nutra brand. Now with Bellator, we are aligned with a premier organization to help us positively reach millions upon millions of people week in and week out reinforcing the message of living a healthy, fitness based and compassionate lifestyle.”

Trye manufacturer Dunlop has confirmed it will continue as title sponsor and control tyre supplier for the MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Ahead of the official BTCC ‘media day’ at Donington Park, Dunlop confirmed it has re-signed a multi-year agreement that extends a deal that began more than a decade ago in 2003.

Dunlop’s continued involvement in the series will see all teams supplied with the Sport Maxx tyre range, as well as involving fans and spectators with social media initiatives.

“Partnering with the BTCC provides a great platform for Dunlop from both a product and brand perspective,” said Dunlop’s Andy Marfleet. “Not only do we put our motorsport products to the test in every race, but we also leverage our brand in close association with this important motorsport championship.”

“The sponsorship package we receive allows us to talk to our key audience in the environment where they are most at home – at a race circuit. We are also able to use the BTCC across all of our brand activation across the year highlighting a clear synergy between Dunlop and motorsport.

“The activation will include a clear focus on digital activity with a range of Facebook tabs; we will also be producing a range of insight videos and giving away 30 pairs of tickets to every round of the championship via social media platforms. The partnership allows us to utilise the touring car drivers for promotions and road-tyre events.

“On top of all of this we will be using our ticket and hospitality packages with our dealer network and ensure that our customers are offered the best possible Dunlop experience at selected rounds of the championship.

“The BTCC is one of the most prestigious championships in Europe and our continued investment and partnership with this organisation enables us to prove our position as a leader in motorsport.”

A-League team Sydney FC has inked a new three-year premium partnership with Beechwood Homes which will see the NSW housing giant become the Sky Blues sleeve sponsor from next season.

Beechwood Homes has been one of Sydney FC’s major partners for the Hyundai A-League season 2013/14, ed and they are upgrading their current technical sponsorship with the club.

“We are delighted to be extending our relationship with Beechwood Homes,” said Sydney FC Chief Executive Officer Tony Pignata.

“This is the third, major, long term corporate sponsorship Sydney FC has signed in the last month and it will give the club a firm footing to succeed with our ambitious plans in the next few years.”

Beechwood Homes currently sponsor the Sydney FC coaching staff and technical area, and their signing follows the renewals of premium partnerships with Webjet and StarTrack for two and three years respectively.

“We have had an excellent relationship with Sydney FC this season and the partnership is a good fit to our business,” said Vic Cavasinni, Beechwood Homes Managing Director.

“We are looking forward to more success in the years to come, and helping to support the big and bold ambitions of Australia’s premier football club.”

The sleeve sponsorship between Sydney FC and Beechwood Homes is due to begin on July 1 and will run until the end of the 2016/17 season.

The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club has announced electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors as their new Presenting Sponsor for the Pedro Blanco Race.

The event will take place on the weekend of 22 and 23 March 2014 – an event considered to be the ideal preparation for the Rolex China Sea Race scheduled to start in Hong Kong on 16 April 2014.

The Pedro Blanco Race is a Category 3 offshore race around Pedro Blanco Rock, healing which lies east of Hong Kong.  

“Our partnership with Tesla is ideal as their company’s ethos is consistent with the ‘green’ philosophy of sailing.  Sailing is probably the most sustainable and renewable way to travel, and I can think of no other brand at the moment that is at the forefront of green technology packaged into a performance vehicle” said Torrey Dorsey, the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club’s Corporate & International Partnerships Manager.

Richard Childress Racing have announced that Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff will serve as a primary sponsor for five races this season with NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers Brian Scott and Brendan Gaughan.

Scott and his No. 2 team will wear the company’s colors at Iowa Speedway on May 18, Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, Richmond International Raceway on September 6 and Kansas Speedway on October 4. Gaughan and the No. 62 team will support the tobacco-free smokeless brand at Texas Motor Speedway on November 1. In addition to the five-race primary sponsorship, Smokey Mountain will also have an associate-sponsorship presence on both the No. 2 and No. 62 Camaros throughout the 2014 season.

“Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff has been and continues to be a proud supporter of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series,” said Dave Savoca, President of Smokey Mountain Chew, Inc. “Through our partnership’s in NASCAR, we have seen measurable growth in our brand and want to continue that growth by tapping into the NASCAR Nationwide Series and their 32 million loyal fans. We believe that Richard Childress Racing and their duo of drivers Brian Scott and Brendan Gaughan are the perfect avenue to help increase brand awareness, drive sales and keep the Smokey Mountain name at the front of the field.”

Known as America’s original and best-selling, tobacco-free smokeless snuff, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff can be found in retailers across the country. Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff is notably the world’s largest tobacco-free smokeless company. An industry leader and inventor, the tobacco-free and nicotine- free chew, is an option for consumers who are looking to quit or reduce their consumption.

Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff comes in a variety of flavors including, Wintergreen, Classic, Straight, Arctic Mint, Cherry, Peach, and Grape. Wintergreen and Arctic Mint pouches are also available. For more information or to order your favorite flavor of Smokey Mountain Snuff visit, www.SmokeySnuff.com.

“Smokey Mountain is really becoming a big part of the NASCAR culture with their involvement and investment bringing awareness to their various brands,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. “We feel honored they have chosen to become part of our team and go racing with both Brian Scott and Brendan Gaughan. Now, it’s up to us to do Smokey Mountain and their people proud with great results on the race track.”