The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) today named VP Racing Fuels the Official Fuel Provider and a Proud Partner of IMSA and the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.

They will also be the Official Fuel Supplier of the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge and the Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Powered by Mazda in 2014.

VP Racing Fuels, ailment Inc., based in Elmendorf, Texas, also will be the exclusive provider of racing fuels for the IMSA-sanctioned Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama series and the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series. VP Racing Fuels will provide two fuel blends for use by TUDOR Championship teams: Motorsport 100 and E85, with each supporting the IMSA Green platform. In particular, the ethanol used in blending both Motorsport 100 and VP’s E85 is cellulosic, which is derived from renewable, non-food chain feedstock. An additional announcement on a third fuel formulation will likely be made in the near future.

“The opportunity for VP Racing Fuels to partner with IMSA as the Official Fuel Provider for the preeminent sports car racing series in North America is a key component of our overall business strategy,” said Alan Cerwick, President of VP Racing Fuels. “The TUDOR United SportsCar Championship and IMSA’s other series provide the perfect platform to promote not only race fuels but our expanded consumer product line including VP Small Engine Fuel and “Madditive™” performance chemicals, as well as the growing number of VP-branded convenience stores opening across the U.S.

“VP’s roots in road racing are deep and broad, having fueled Trans Am, SCCA, Indy Lights, Atlantic, American Le Mans and many others over the years,” Cerwick continued. “Our products have fueled winners at Laguna Seca, Watkins Glen, Sebring and many other historic facilities. In 2014, fueling the podiums at Daytona, Indianapolis and many other venues will be especially fulfilling to the VP employees who have worked hard over the years to get us there.”

“VP Racing Fuels has a long and successful history in motorsports and, in particular, sports car racing in North America,” said IMSA President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Atherton. “A key component with our partnership, in addition to the primary goal of providing our race teams with a consistent high quality racing fuel, is VP’s commitment to work with us in building upon our very important IMSA Green platform. We also see in VP a partner that can help our series grow with retail promotions through their branded stores and in conjunction with their rapidly growing consumer product lines. We’re honored to have such a trusted and iconic brand as an official partner for the inaugural season of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship and multiple other IMSA-sanctioned series.”

The 2014 TUDOR Championship opens at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. with the 52nd Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 25-26, 2014.

Mike Plant & Associates Inc., apoplectic a leader in large-format event branding materials, has announced it will sponsor USA Triathlon as Official Event Signage Provider through 2017.

MPA will deliver event signage products and services at USA Triathlon-owned National Championship events, including the organization’s marquee event, USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships. Products and services available include tents, banners, signs, flags, fencing and more. USA Triathlon race directors will be eligible for a 5 percent discount on MPA event branding products.

“I couldn’t be happier about this deal,” said MPA President Mike Plant, a former triathlon writer, photographer and event producer. “It brings me back into close contact with a sport I love and with people whom I admire and respect. It doesn’t matter how long I’ve been in the business, or how many races I’ve been a part of, it’s still a thrill to see our company’s work in action at a National Championship or an Olympic-qualification event.”

iON America, which brings Shoot/Share Wi-Fi connectivity to point-of-view (POV) cameras, has announced that two Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics hopefuls, two-time US Olympic medalist snowboarder Kelly Clark and Czech snowboarder Sarka Pancochova, have become brand ambassadors of iON.

Clark is considered the most influential female snowboarder in the world — with more wins under her belt than any other male or female snowboarder in history. She will be using the new iON Air Pro 3 Wi-Fi to share her unique perspective, providing a first-person view of her innovative, high-amplitude tricks with legions of fans.

“I’m pushing myself with new tricks heading into the 2014 season,” Clark said. “At this week’s iON Mountain Championships, I’ll be shooting and sharing clips of practice runs using the new iON Air Pro 3 Wi-Fi. I love this little camera; it is really simple to use, making it that much easier to share my experiences as the season progresses.”

She is joined by Czech snowboarder Pancochova as the newest members of Team iON, along with returning members: US snowboarder Scotty Lago, US freeskier Nick Goepper, and UK freeskier James “Woodsy” Woods. The event serves as the first official US Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) Olympic team selection event of the 2013-14 season, and the first-ever USSA selection event for freeski slopestyle, freeski superpipe and snowboarding slopestyle disciplines.

Also returning to Team iON for 2014 are non-snowsport pro athletes BMX dirt biker Corey Bohan, big-wave surfer Reef McIntosh, freestyle motocross biker Clinton Moore and skateboarder Manny Santiago.

WIX Filters has switched teams for the 2014 British Touring Car Championship season.

They will sponsor Ciceley Racing after being dropped by rival team Rob Austin Racing.

The US-owned automotive filter company will be on the new Mercedes A-class being developed by the Lancashire outfit for 2014, ailment which will be driven by 25-year-old Adam Morgan.

Rob Austin Racing announced that they were unable to continue the association with WIX which began at the season finale of the 2012 Championship due to clashing sponsorship commitments.

The team competed at the final round of 2013 at Brands Hatch with WIX filter sponsorship on the #13 car of Rob Austin, and Exocet branding, a fuel additive company owned by Fuel Additives Science Technologies, on the #9 Audi A4 driven by Jake Hill.

“Sadly we are announcing that WIX Filters will not be continuing with its support of our team through into 2014,” said the team in a statement.

“While we greatly appreciate its support and our partnership in 2013, unfortunately its requirements for 2014 conflicted with arrangements already in place with existing sponsors.

“Our attentions now are fully focused on bringing on board exciting new partners for 2014 and the future. Clearly there is now a golden opportunity for other brands to join one of the most popular team-driver combinations in Britain’s premier motor racing championship and experience the same levels of exposure we have shown we are capable of delivering.”

WIX filters has now confirmed it will be sponsoring Ciceley Racing, who will enter their second season in the Championship after a successful debut in 2013, finishing seventh in the drivers’ standings with Adam Morgan.

“I am delighted to be partnering with WIX Filters for the 2014 BTCC season,” said Ciceley Racing team principal Russell Morgan.

“To have a global brand like WIX as our title sponsor for next year has been the icing on the cake for what is set to be a massively exciting year for Ciceley Motorsport. Introducing the new Mercedes A-class into the BTCC ranks with family member Adam at the wheel, we hope to continue on the successes of 2013. The enthusiasm WIX has already shown leaves us in no doubt that this partnership will be successful on and off the track next year and hopefully beyond.”

Big Bash League’s Sydney Sixers have announced Nestlé Purina Petcare as a Major Partner for season 3 of the BBL, rounding out their sponsorship portfolio for the upcoming season.

The Nestlé Purina brand RUFFS will appear on the Sixers playing and training kit as well as running a range of digital content, offering money can’t buy experiences and activating at certain Sixers home games.

With a number of Sixers players and staff owning their own pooches, the sponsorship will surely be a popular one, already winning over Teddy Starc, Archie and Kenzie Copeland and Bear Abbott.

“Dogs are such a beloved part of any family and it’s no different in cricket,” said Sixers General Manager Dom Remond.

“We are really looking forward to working with the team from Nestlé Purina Petcare on some great activations as well as with our players and their dogs, it’s a brand we’ll be able to have a lot of fun with.”

“We’re delighted at the partnership between Nestlé Purina Petcare and the Sydney Sixers in this year’s BBL03 campaign. We’re looking forward to this year’s season and hope the Sydney Sixers can bring home the title,” said David Grant General Manager Nestlé Purina Petcare Australia.

The signing of Purina also completes the sponsorship stable for the upcoming KFC T20 Big Bash League season.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nestlé Purina Petcare to our sponsorship portfolio,” said Cricket NSW General Manager of Commercial Brett Richardson.

“This partnership sees all of our major sponsorship properties for BBL03 locked away which is a strong reflection about the anticipation and interest about the up-coming tournament.”

Barracuda have extended their partnership with Gresini Racing for the 2014 season.

The Florentine company colours will be present on all the Grand Prix motorcycles run by Fausto Gresini in MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships.

The decision of Barracuda to renew the sponsorship deal with Gresini Racing for another two years – 2014 and 2015 – and to extend it to all the three Grand Prix classes is based on the strong desire to continue to support a young and dynamic team, with whom is possible to share common values such enthusiasm and passion for challenges.

Barracuda owner Alessandro Giardina “Here at Barracuda we are extremely proud to be part of such an ambitious project, embracing in 2014 all the three categories in which Gresini Racing will be involved: MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3.

Barracuda is a young brand with a winning attitude on all international markets: here comes the perfect harmony of intent with Gresini Racing, an all-Italian structure capable of competing at the highest level on a world stage. In these two years, in which we have followed the team in and out of the track, sharing joys and sorrows, we have built a great relationship with Fausto Gresini and all his men. I therefore want to thank him for this fantastic opportunity and I renew my full support to the team, convinced that we can achieve great results on the track. My wish to my friend Fausto for the 2014 season is the same that I do, as usual, before each Grand Prix: ‘Captain, let us dream!’ ”.

Fausto Gresini, owner of Gresini Racing, said “Our partnership with Barracuda, started 2 years ago, proved to be very fruitful, both on the professional and human side: we have built a wonderful personal relationship with its owner Alessandro Giardina, and this makes me very happy. Starting from next season, Barracudawill support us in all three categories: a strong commitment for them and a great demonstration of confidence in what we do. Being able to count on a young and forward-looking company like Barracuda is a great boost for all of us, and an incentive to improve every day. We hope to give them right away a lot of satisfaction in the forthcoming season, that is just around the corner.”

Lloyd’s Insurer Talbot Underwriting Ltd has become the lastest commercial partner of British Skeleton under its ‘Follow us, erectile Join us, denture Sponsor us’ programme.

The GB skeleton athletes have already won 6 medals – 3 Golds, 1 Silver, and 2 Bronzes – in the opening two weeks of the senior season.

Talbot joins the sport as the ‘Official Vehicle Supporter’ of British Skeleton. The company will provide essential transport support for the athletes on their travels around Europe during the build up to Sochi 2014.

Commenting on the partnership, David Henwood, Commercial Director for British Skeleton said: “This is a crucial season for the Squad as we are seeking to qualify a maximum 6 GB sliders for the Sochi Winter Games next February – 3 men, 3 women. Whether we can do that or not will be dependent on FIBT ranking points gained on the World Cup circuit. We need every support we can get and being able to move in comfort from race to race is actually a critical performance advantage for our athletes. We are so grateful to Talbot for agreeing to support our vehicle fleet and join us on the journey to Sochi.”

Rupert Atkin, CEO at Talbot said: “British Skeleton is such an incredible team with an outstanding record of success. We were enthused by its story of achievement against the odds, and are delighted to be associated with its elite performance system in this crucial Olympic season. We hope our support helps the athletes in their quest for Olympic medals.”