Supercheap Auto Dive into V8 Supercars with Sponsorship of Walkinshaw Racing

V8 Supercar Championship team Walkinshaw Racing, ailment the parent company of the Toll Holden Racing Team has signed a multi-year major sponsorship agreement with leading Australian retailer, doctor Supercheap Auto.

V8 Supercar Champion and two-time Bathurst winner, anabolics Russell Ingall will drive the #74 Supercheap Auto Racing Holden Commodore in next year’s 16-event season. The deal sees Ingall and Supercheap Auto’s V8 Supercar sponsorship move from Paul Morris Motorsports to Walkinshaw Racing’s Melbourne operation after four seasons with the Gold Coast-based PMM.

Supercheap Auto Managing Director, David Ajala said the new arrangements are a progression of the company’s long and successful association with V8 Supercars and Ingall, who has been the face of Supercheap Auto’s retail and road safety campaigns for four years.

“With over 200 race wins, eight championships and nine Bathurst victories, Walkinshaw Racing is the most successful organisation in V8 Supercars and the envy of every one in pit lane,” Ajala said.

“Today we are excited to be able to confirm a multi-year partnership between Supercheap Auto and Walkinshaw Racing, which sees Russell Ingall move to a Championship and Bathurst-winning team.

“It also adds another exciting chapter to our already proud V8 history, which includes long-term naming rights to Australia’s Great Race, the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.”

Supercheap Auto will continue its association with PMM through its driver safety programs at the Holden Driving Centre at Norwell and major sponsorship of team owner Paul Morris’ Sprintcar program.

“I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Paul Morris and his team for their commitment over the past four years, as we have developed a strong working relationship during this time,” Ajala said.

“PMM has represented Supercheap Auto in the most professional manner and while our V8 sponsorship has changed we are happy to continue our association through our other longstanding programs.”

Walkinshaw Racing Racing Operations Manager, Mike Henry said today’s announcement built on recent changes within the organisation, while he was also excited with securing the experience of Ingall and working with Supercheap Auto.

“We recently took a review of our business and made a number of changes which have already produced positive results, including a win in last month’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000,” Henry said.

“Our new agreement with Supercheap Auto is part of our commitment to build stronger commercial partnerships and I believe this will set a benchmark within our company. “Russell Ingall is one of the superstars of V8 Supercars, a hard-working, unique, tough-as-nails character and a true fan favourite,” he said.

“He has experience that just cannot be bought and will be a valuable addition to our team. We are delighted to have him on board.” Ingall said it was an honour to join Walkinshaw Racing, which had denied him of even greater glory in his standout career, while Supercheap Auto’s signing with Walkinshaw Racing mirrored its business growth and success.

“Supercheap Auto has progressed from small beginnings to become the seventh largest retailer in Australia. Its association with V8 Supercars has been the same, starting out small and climbing the ladder to now be with a professional racing operation which can take it to the top,” Ingall said.

“For me, I have raced against the Walkinshaw teams for many years and, to be honest, I hated them – if it wasn’t for them I would have won three more championships. At the same time, I’ve always had the utmost respect for the organisation and how it goes about its business of winning races – I am truly honoured to be joining such a professional racing team,” he said.

“I’ve always said I am not in the sport to make up numbers. I enjoy racing hard and winning. The winning has eluded me for the last few years and I want to get back into the habit. With today’s announcement, Supercheap Auto and Walkinshaw Racing are giving me a fantastic opportunity and I know I have the drive to make 2012 a great success.”

The 2012 V8 Supercar Championship begins on 1-4 March with the award-winning Clipsal 500 on the streets of Adelaide.