Vodafone to title sponsor V8 team

The news comes just a few weeks after the team's current sponsor, Betta Electrical, partly went into receivership while adminstrators were appointed to save the rest of the company. A deal in recent days has seen its own franchisees buy out the main company, Betta Stores Limited, though they are not responsible for the large debt the company had accrued with suppliers and creditors.

Beginning at the start of next season, the Triple Eight-prepared cars will be known as Team Vodafone, with a three-year commitment by Vodafone Australia.

This will include exclusive team content, events and competitions via the company's mobile services. Mobile phone giant SonyEricsson will also be heavily involved, becoming the team's official handset provider.

Vodafone Australia's chief marketing office John Casey sees a great fit between Vodafone and Triple Eight.

"Motor sport fans are driven by passion and Vodafone will take them closer to the action by bringing our partnership to life in new and exciting formats.

"V8 Supercar racing is an iconic Australian sport and Vodafone is committed to giving our customers and staff across the country the opportunity to get up close and personal with Team Vodafone."

Vodafone's sponsorship of the Triple Eight cars follows on from the company's title sponsorship of the McLaren-Mercedes Formula One team, a deal which also begins next season.

Triple Eight Race Engineering's team principal Roland Dane is very happy with the new sponsorship deal: "We are very proud to be associated with one of the world's most prominent brands and are extremely excited to join with them on the V8 Championship circuit in 2007.

"Vodafone's three year commitment to Triple Eight Race Engineering indicates that they are serious about establishing a sustaining presence in V8 Supercars, and we hope to reward this by continuing to run at the front of the field.

Current championship leader Craig Lowndes is impressed by the strength of the two companies joining the team: "To know you have the backing and support of global brands like Vodafone and SonyEricsson is a huge compliment and we are really looking forward to delivering a Championship result in 2007."

The team have announced the cars will have a new look next year, with a livery similar to Bernd Schneider's red DTM Mercedes tipped to feature on the team's two Ford Falcons.