News 2003
Virgin Mobile Confirms Sponsorship of British Superbike Team for Fourth Consecutive Year
11/03/2003
Virgin Mobile, the UK’s fastest growing mobile network, today announced that they will be joining forces with Yamaha Motor UK for the fourth consecutive year to enter Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha into the 2003 British Superbike Championship.
Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha, which finished second in the Manufacturers' Championship last year, will be fielding a new rider line-up for 2003. Double British Superbike Champion and eleven times TT winner Steve Hislop will be leading the team and defending his 2002 crown aboard the Virgin Mobile Yamaha R1, and up-and-coming racer Gary Mason, who completed his first year of BSB racing last season, will partner the Scot. Rob McElnea will once again manage the team.
The British Superbike Championship is regarded as one of the toughest Bike championships in the world and team boss Rob McElnea is delighted that Team Virgin Mobile will once again be a strong favourite for the title.
He said: "Obviously I am very pleased that we have the support of Virgin Mobile once again. Over the past three years we have developed a very close and happy working relationship them, something few teams can boast of their sponsors! They have become an integral part of the team and we owe a great deal of our success to their support. Already this year the signs are looking very good; we have developed the R1 further and are very excited about what it’s now capable of, and we think that, combined with the strong rider line-up we are set for a record-breaking year."
Virgin Mobile brand director James Kydd said: "We are so pleased to be working with Rob and the team again through 2003. British Superbikes is one of the fastest and most exciting sports there is, with a huge and very loyal fan base, and we can’t think of any sport we would rather be involved with. Last year we had a great time winning races (and celebrating winning them!) and this year we are looking forward to the best year yet!."
