Uni-Select USA and its Auto-Plus network of automotive retail stores have acquired title-rights sponsorship of the inaugural National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) event at New England Dragway in Epping.

The Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals is scheduled for June 20-23 and represents the first event in the New England area for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the expansion of our partnership with NHRA, adiposity ” said Brent Windom, impotent Uni-Select senior vice president, sales and marketing. “Our growth in participation with NHRA saw more than 5,500 customers attend our events last year. We are excited to be an integral part of bringing NHRA Drag Racing to the New England market.”

Uni-Select USA and its Auto-Plus brand also serves as title-rights sponsor of the 29th annual Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals, Oct. 3-6, at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading. In addition, the company holds naming rights to historic Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville. Auto-Plus is also the official auto-parts store of Atlanta Dragway, an NHRA-owned and -operated facility, as well as Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk.

“We’re thrilled to bring the excitement and power of NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing to New England and to have a great partner like Auto-Plus on the inaugural event,” said Gary Darcy, NHRA senior vice president of sales and marketing. “Advance sales for the event continue to be extremely strong, and we look forward to working with Auto-Plus to create a memorable event for NHRA fans in the region.”

“Uni-Select and its Auto-Plus network is the industry’s gold standard,” said Joe Lombardo, New England Dragway general manager. “This partnership makes them an integral part of NHRA history in the New England marketplace.”

Trespass, an outdoor clothing manufacturer, will design and supply uniforms for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games workforce, it has been confirmed.

The firm will also provide outfits to be worn by the Games’ army of 15,000 volunteers, and by those accompanying the Queen’s Baton Relay.

Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg said: “I am delighted to welcome such a well-known brand and great Glasgow success story into the Glasgow 2014 family of sponsors.

“We were hugely impressed not just with the quality of the designs that Trespass presented us with but with their passion and enthusiasm to be part of our journey.”

Trespass co-founder Afzal Khushi added: “The year 2014 was always going to be special for us since we will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Trespass brand.

“We can think of no better way to mark this landmark date in our history than to help show the world what our home city has to offer.”

The Glasgow-based company originated in 1938 as Jacobs and Turner Limited. It is now managed by brothers Afzal and Akmal Khushi, who established the Trespass brand in 1984. Trespass currently has 140 stores across the UK, with a further 40 due to open in the next 12 months.

With the 2013 NRL season set to get underway, the Sydney Roosters have announced that major sponsor Steggles has reaffirmed their commitment to the club by renewing their agreement for a further two seasons.

Steggles first joined the Roosters in 2010 and as part of the agreement, Steggles will continue their partnership as Roosters major sponsor adorning the front of the Roosters playing and training strips.

Both Steggles and the Sydney Roosters have a long and proud Australian history with a drive to assist the community and charities, and a key component of the successful arrangement is the Steggles Roosters Charity Nest initiative that has raised more than $800,000 for Australian children’s charities in the last three years.

“We are over the moon to make this announcement on the eve of our season getting underway. We have made numerous changes here at the Roosters in the pre-season, from top to bottom, and its fantastic that our major partner Steggles have seen the change, bought into our vision and have committed until at least the end of 2015,” said Sydney Roosters Chief Operating Officer, Commercial, Ted Helliar.

“The Sydney Roosters have wholeheartedly embraced the Charity Nest and are proud to represent all that it entails, and with more than $800,000 already raised for charities, we’ve set ourselves the target of hitting the $1 million mark in 2013,” he added.

Simon Camilleri, Managing Director, Steggles, said: “The Steggles and Sydney Roosters brands have worked closely together in what is more than a sports sponsorship; it is a total community initiative.

“Steggles and the Roosters have a shared commitment to the community. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the entire team at the Roosters to raise the funds and awareness for the Steggles Roosters Charity Nest.”

Kentucky-based Bionic Gloves and PowerBilt Golf have agreed to sponsor professional golf in their home state by becoming platinum partners of the Kentucky PGA for 2013.

As platinum partners, both Bionic and PowerBilt will have major presences at KPGA tournaments and events throughout the year. PowerBilt is the title sponsor of the 18th Annual Kaiser Cup, hosted April 1-2. The Kaiser Cup is a Pro vs. Assistant Pro tournament at Belterra Golf Club, drawing in the top qualifying Pro’s and Assistant Pro’s from all over the state. It is named after the late Bill Kaiser, a three-time Kentucky Open champion and renowned GM of PowerBilt, which, like Bionic, is a division of the Hillerich and Bradsby Co.

Bionic is a title sponsor, along with Monterey Club and Bette & Court, of the Pro-Pro Championship at Audubon Country Club on May 28. Bionic and PowerBilt will co-sponsor the Mega Pro-Am Championship Tournament at Wildwood Country Club on June 10.

“We are very proud to partner with the Kentucky PGA, because we are neighbors here in the Derby City,” said Larry Edlin, Vice President of Global Sales. “This is the first year we have been a platinum partner, and we’re honored to support such a prominent local organization that brings great prestige to Kentucky golf.”

Polaris Industries Inc has joined General Tire and a host of dedicated sponsors in support of “The Great American Off-Road Race” – The 2013 General Tire Mint 400 Presented by Polaris.

Polaris is a global sales leader in off-road vehicles, and its RZR line is the leader in innovation in sport UTV design worldwide. Based in Medina, Minnesota, Polaris has been manufacturing vehicles for nearly 60 years and is the preferred UTV platform for desert off-road racing. 

“We are thrilled to have Polaris as the presenting sponsor for the 2013 Mint 400,” said Mint 400 CEO Matt Martelli . “The UTV Class has exploded in growth over the past few years because they are affordable to campaign and virtually race-ready from the showroom floor. You can literally go buy a Polaris RZR from a dealer – and with a few modifications be out racing the next weekend! It’s really exciting to watch people get into these vehicles and then become die-hard off-road race fans!”

“The Mint 400 is a legendary race. I raced it myself last year as a co-pilot and it was brutal! I can’t wait to tackle it this year as a driver. We are not just employees at Polaris, we are enthusiasts. After getting introduced to off-road racing through our relationship with the Jagged X Team, I was hooked,” commented Craig Scanlon , general manager, Recreational Off-Road Vehicles for Polaris.

To help capitalize on the newly-formed partnership with Polaris, The Mint 400 has named UTV Underground.com as the official Mint 400 UTV Class media outlet. They will provide daily updates of the Mint 400 UTV festivities and racing, including expansive coverage of all Polaris racing teams. Photo galleries and articles, as well as post-race video clips will be shared with UTV enthusiasts across The Mint 400 and UTV Underground social media networks.

British wetsuit manufacturer Huub has announced that Olympic gold medallist Alistair Brownlee, and and ITU World Champion Jonathan Brownlee, view will be wearing their wetsuits for the next four years.

Alistair and Jonny recently signed a deal to wear Huub wetsuits for the next four years through to the 2016 Games in Rio, ambulance Brazil.

Both Alistair and Jonny will be wearing Huub’s top of the range Archimedes 4:4 wetsuit designed by swim scientist Huub Toussaint, wetsuit guru Dean Jackson and Swim Smooth’s Adam Young and Paul Newsome. Alistair will make his first appearance in Huub colours at the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon on March 2 and is expected to wear Huub’s SKN-1 swimskin because of the warm water temperatures.

American Ethanol announced its plans to enhance its partnership with Richard Childress Racing and driver Austin Dillon for the 2013 NASCAR season.

Dillon will race the No. 33 American Ethanol Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway on June 16 and will drive a RCR-fielded entry in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Eldora Speedway on July 24 with an American Ethanol paint scheme.

“American Ethanol is extremely pleased to once again partner with Austin Dillon, Richard Childress and the entire RCR team to help promote a sustainable homegrown American fuel that is better for our environment, reduces our dependence on foreign oil and creates jobs right here in the U.S., while revitalizing rural economies across America,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy.

“We want to show the people coast-to-coast there is a great alternative to imported oil and our association with NASCAR and RCR is doing that extremely well,” said Jon Holzfaster, a Paxton, NE farmer and chairman of the National Corn Growers Association’s NASCAR Advisory Committee. “Ethanol is also responsible for bringing a rural renaissance from Main Street to the family farm.”

American Ethanol will also serve as an associate sponsor for Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet for the full 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series season and as an associate sponsor for Dillon’s limited 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule.

“It feels good to be able to help spread the news about American Ethanol and encourage every American to run the fuel of the future, American Ethanol, in their personal vehicles,” said Dillon. “If American Ethanol can withstand the rigors of NASCAR, it can withstand everyday driving. Homegrown biofuels like American Ethanol have stepped up to help our nation’s economy, and are proving to be a better fuel. I am proud to wear the American Ethanol colors in NASCAR and I hope I can bring them to Victory Lane in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2013.”