News 2005
Virgin Mobile celebrates sixth year as title sponsor of British Superbike Team
24/03/2005
- Team Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha confirms riders for 2005 – Sean Emmett, Tommy Hill and Richard Wren (winner of Virgin Mobile Cup 2004)
Virgin Mobile is backing one of Britain’s most successful British Superbike teams for the sixth consecutive year - the Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha factory team.
In 2005, Team Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha fields three riders for its British Superbike Championship. Sean Emmett, who scored nine podium finishes in 2004, joins from Monster Mob Ducati. Tommy Hill takes the second Superbike berth after an impressive rookie year with the team. The pair are joined by the 2004 Virgin Mobile Cup Champion Richard Wren.
Virgin Mobile will run a number of marketing initiatives along with track-side promotions. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in competitions and Virgin Mobile’s notorious Pit Police will bring a touch of glamour to the paddock.
Team boss Rob McElnea is delighted Virgin Mobile is on board for another year making it one of the longest British Superbike sponsorship partnerships to date. Rob McElnea said: “It’s excellent to be racing with Virgin Mobile’s support again; over the past five years we have enjoyed an excellent partnership which we can build on. The team is very upbeat and positive and I’m really looking forward to a strong performance this year.”
James Kydd, brand director, Virgin Mobile, said: “It’s great to be backing the team for another season. Our 2005 rider line-up is great and Sean, Tommy and Richard are all fantastic racers. We will continue to develop our sponsorship and aim to achieve some top results in the forthcoming Championship. We are continuing to supporting young up-and-coming riders through the Virgin Mobile Cup and we are hopeful of success.”
The first round of the British Superbike Championship takes place on 26-27th March 2005 at Brands Hatch.
For further information, please contact:
Virgin Mobile:
Press office: 0845 600 6272 or press.office@virginmobile.com
Joanne Baker: 07941 233300 or joanne.baker@virginmobile.com
About Virgin Mobile:
Virgin Mobile Holdings (UK) plc, the UK's largest mobile virtual network operator, is majority owned by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and uses T-Mobile's network. Since its launch in November 1999, Virgin Mobile has attracted more than 5 million customers.
In the UK, Virgin Mobile phones are available direct on 0845 6000 600; on the web at www.virginmobile.com or on the High Street at approximately 5,000 outlets including Virgin Mobile Specialist Stores, Virgin Megastores, Tesco, Asda, John Lewis, Littlewoods, Argos, The Link, Dixons, Carphone Warehouse, Curry's, Comet, Phones 4 U, TOMO, Woolworths, Toys R Us and Ryman.
Virgin Mobile employs approximately 1,400 staff at three sites, Trowbridge, London and Daventry, and has an outsourced customer service centre operated by approximately 200 staff in Middlesbrough. It has been voted one of the top 50 places to work in Britain for two years running in an annual Financial Times survey.
Virgin Mobile is ranked in 72nd place in `The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For’ 2005 list.
