World Championship racing team Suzuki 500cc Grand Prix and Telefonica MoviStar, leading provider of GSM mobile telecommunications services in the Spanish market, have agreed an initial two-year title sponsorship package starting in 2000.
This exciting new partnership, put together by Suzuki’s London-based marketing representatives Benfield Sports International, unites a top factory Grand Prix team with one of the sport’s highest profile supporters.
The union creates a new force at the top level of international Grand Prix bike racing – Team Telefonica MoviStar Suzuki.
The factory Suzukis – ridden to 4 wins and second place overall in 1999 by American star Kenny Roberts – will race in a distinctive all new livery to be unveiled shortly.
The initial agreement is for two years, with an option for a third year in 2002. At the same time, Suzuki announce that they have agreed an extension to their contract with rider Kenny Roberts that will see him racing for the team until the end of 2002 season.
Commenting on the agreement, Suzuki 500cc General Manager Garry Taylor said: ‘It is a huge boost to every one at Suzuki to have a title sponsor of the stature and standing of Telefonica MoviStar. Telefonica MoviStar is one of the most dynamic and successful of the new generation of telecommunications companies and our aim is to build a powerful partnership together both on and off the track.’
Taylor continued ‘We are proud that such an established and high-profile company has chosen to place its faith in our team to spearhead its challenge in the 500cc GP arena. We have worked long and hard to find the right kind of partner and Telefonica MoviStar fits the bill from every perspective.’
Telefonica Moviles Director of Operations Jose Antonio LombardÝa de Saint-Germain said: ‘This deal represents a big departure in terms of strategy, moving us away from an all- Spanish satellite operation to a team that is very international in flavour and in its approach to racing. The nature of our business is likewise increasingly international and I believe that our switch to Suzuki reflects this change of emphasis. Our aim is to always be involved with winners and only a factory team has the ability to win consistently. Last season proved to us that Kenny Roberts and Suzuki will be genuine contenders for the championship in the seasons to come and we can look forward with confidence to a long and successful partnership.’
The new association comes after a season in which Suzuki surged back to prominence and re-established itself as consistent front runner. In addition to his four wins, lead rider Kenny Roberts notched up five pole positions, 12 front row starts and lead more laps than any other rider – including 1999 championship winner Alex Criville.
Rider Kenny Roberts added his voice of approval. ‘Suzuki, Telefonica MoviStar and I are a perfect match. We are all winners and we are all committed to winning the World Championship next year. Gaining a sponsor of Telef¾nica’s MoviStar calibre can only help us in our quest for the big prize. I know Telefonica MoviStar well because I have a home in Spain where I live during the racing season. It is great news not just for Telefonica MoviStar and the team but for the sport overall that two such like-minded partners have got together.’
The Team Telefonica MoviStar Suzuki rider line-up remains unchanged for 2000 with Kenny Roberts and Japanese Nobuatsu Aoki in a dedicated two-man squad. Details of a press conference to launch the partnership formally will be announced in due course.
For more information please contact: Team Suzuki Press Office, Tel: (44) 1273 606010
Fax: (44) 1273 626268, press@suzuki-racing.com