News 2004
Virgin Mobile and Samsung Mobile gear up to back the factory Yamaha British Superbike Team
10/03/2004
Virgin Mobile, the UK’s fastest growing mobile network, and mobile phone manufacture Samsung UK today announced that they are backing the factory Yamaha British Superbike team for the 2004 season.
Secondary sponsor Samsung Mobile will join forces with Virgin Mobile, which celebrates its fifth year as title sponsor of one of Britain’s most successful British Superbike teams.
In 2004, Team Virgin Mobile Samsung fields three riders for its British Superbike Championship. Steve Plater, who last rode for the team in 2002, returns to the Lincolnshire-based outfit spearheading the team’s efforts aboard the all-new Yamaha R1 superbike. Gary Mason remains with the team for a second season, while superbike ‘rookie’, Tommy Hill, takes his place alongside them after winning the Virgin Mobile Yamaha R6 Cup in 2003.
Virgin Mobile and Samsung will run a number of joint marketing initiatives along with track-side promotions. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in competitions and try out the latest Samsung mobile phones. In addition, they will be able to download wallpapers of the riders and other images from the team website www.virginmobileracing.com onto their phones.
Team boss Rob McElnea is delighted to be maintaining British Superbike’s longest sponsorship partnership while welcoming Samsung Mobile to the exciting world of racing. McElnea said: “Over the past four years we have enjoyed an excellent partnership with Virgin Mobile and we are obviously delighted to welcome another mobile partner, Samsung, to the team this season. I’m sure it will be a very exciting working relationship for all parties involved and with the brand new Yamaha R1 and strong rider line-up we are set for a record-breaking year.”
James Kydd, brand director, Virgin Mobile, said: “Each year we have been able to get more and more out of the team sponsorship. From what we do at the race meetings with the simulator and the notorious pit lane girls to, as importantly, what we do away from the meetings. Last year we managed to secure a ten-part documentary on the riders in the R6 cup and this year with Samsung Mobile as a partner there are a host of further opportunities that we can exploit. As for the racing, we are very hopeful of success.”
Mark Mitchinson, general manager, Samsung Mobile UK, said: ”This is an exciting new sponsorship for Samsung Mobile, not only is it a great opportunity to support one of the best teams in the paddock but also to work more closely with Virgin Mobile. It looks set to be one of the most exciting summers for the team and I for one will be an avid fan.”
Virgin Mobile is also continuing its sponsorship of the Yamaha R6 Cup and there will be 30 keen riders competing during 2004 for a place on the premier team next year.
The first round of the British Superbike Championship takes place on 26-28th March at Silverstone, Northamptonshire.
