Insurance company Bennetts has been confirmed as the title sponsor for the Isle of Man TT races in 2007. They will also be the official insurance partner. The deal means that the Centenary event will be called the Isle of Man TT Races sponsored by Bennetts and will include naming rights to Manx Radio’s Radio TT broadcasts which will extensively cover this year’s festival. They also have race naming rights for the Superbike race on Saturday 2nd June.
Mark Fells, Bennetts' Marketing Director commented:"Bennetts has been involved with the TT for several years and to be title sponsor during its centenary year is very exciting for us. We are delighted to support the event once again and look forward to what is set to be the best year yet."
Other sponsors confirmed include Isle of Man based on-line gaming company PokerStars who will be the official gaming partner and will sponsor the TT Supersport, TT Superstock and Senior TT races. They will also receive Manx radio broadcast sponsorship packages for the same races.
Lynn Hunter, Group HR Director, PokerStars, commented: “Having been involved in the Isle of Man for over two years now, we feel it’s time to start giving something back to the island. Our involvement with TT is an opportunity, through our sponsorship, to give something back to the community while at the same time raising the profile of PokerStars as a major employer offering opportunities across a whole range of disciplines in an industry that is new, dynamic and exciting. We are proud to be here in the Isle of Man and proud to be an official sponsor for this years Centenary TT events”.
Bavaria Beer has been confirmed as the official beer partner of the TT. Their package includes naming rights to the Sidecar A and B races. Sarah Swainson, Marketing Manager for Bavaria UK, commented:
“As part of Bavaria UK’s real men campaign, the company conducted some independent research to find out what makes up a real man. We discovered that real men love extreme sports and adventure, so we are thrilled to be associated with the Isle of Man TT races in its centenary year. The Isle of Man TT races are the only one of its kind so we are really looking forward to the event.”
Bavaria will also receive radio broadcast sponsorship packages and have pouring rights in the official hospitality area.
Cable & Wireless have agreed a multi year sponsorship agreement to become the official telecommunications partner of the TT Races with their new Isle of Man based mobile service Sure. Simon Last-Sutton, Commercial Director of Cable & Wireless commented:
“The TT is always a prestigious event on the Island, but to become the Official Telecom sponsor in its 100th Year is a great honour.”
Unisys Corporation, the worldwide technology services and solutions company, will sponsor the new Sulby Straight speed trap. The speed trap will be known as the Unisys Sulby Speed Trap for a period of three years from 2007. The company has an established presence on the Isle of Man and is a key IT supplier to the island’s Government.
David Foster Vice-President, UKMEA, Systems and Technology, Unisys commented:“We are delighted to be supporting the TT Races, especially in this exciting centenary year. We have been supplying data solutions for the Isle of Man Government for over 30 years and it’s wonderful to see the races going from strength to strength, and more popular than ever, as the island celebrates this exciting anniversary. Unisys believes the Isle of Man is a dynamic and exciting base for international enterprise and through our ongoing work with the island’s Government we are committed to help ensure that it retains its excellent reputation as a place to do business.”
Prestigious tyre brand Dunlop will be the official tyre partner and sponsor of the Centenary Lap of Honour on Monday 4th June. Weekly news title, Motor Cycle News, are the official media partner and sponsor of the TT Parade of Champions on Friday 8th June.
All sponsors will receive track signage, a presence in the TT programme and guide, advertising on the revamped TT website and be part of the official hospitality.
Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Development Manager, commented: “We are delighted at the interest in the 2007 TT Races being shown by major global brands. It is testament to the growing interest in the races that we are able to attract such prestigious companies. The races must become commercially viable if it is to have a long term future and these deals will help to ensure a second century of racing on the island.”
A number of major license deals have also been signed with exclusive partners, including limited edition products produced by Suzuki and Arai. All products sold generate additional revenue that is used to secure future racing on the Island.
Stuart McBride, Senior Account Manager, Signature Sponsorship, commented: “The commercial partnerships, licensed products and sponsorships mean that the revenue generated by the TT in the centenary year has increased significantly compared to 2006. This is not solely attributable to the interest in the centenary as we are already receiving expressions of interest for 2008 and is great for the long term future of the TT”.
Hospitality packages are also selling out fast with all available packages for Senior race day on Friday 8th June already sold out. There are also only a limited number of grandstand tickets available and these are also expected to be completely sold out by the time racing begins.
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