ON the back of a hard fought second place in Race 32 of the 2014 V8 Supercar Championship, Volvo Polestar Racing are not only celebrating a spot on the podium at the Gold Coast 600, but also the news they have a new major sponsor.
Current Dick Johnson Racing (DJR) primary sponsor Wilson Security will part ways with DJR at the end of this season to become naming rights sponsor of Volvo Polestar Racing, with the team to be known as Wilson Security Racing GRM for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
“Synergies between brands are often spoken about in situations like this, but we’re genuinely excited about this partnership as we can see clear opportunities for all parties,” said John McMellan, Chief Executive Officer Asia Pacific for Wilson Security.
“We have been keeping a close eye on Volvo and Polestar’s progress in their debut season of the V8 Supercar Championship, and it’s not often you get the opportunity to partner with a global luxury car manufacturer so we’re looking forward to it.”
The relationship will also see Payce Consolidated (a part of the Wilson Security group of companies) appear on the Volvo S60 cars over the next two seasons, with both sponsors joining existing major backer Valvoline in supporting the team.
“2014 has been a year of great change at GRM with our partnership with Volvo and Polestar,” team owner Garry Rogers said. “2015 is a new chapter and we are certainly proud to represent an iconic brand such as Wilson Security – we welcome them and Payce in joining Valvoline at GRM, all tremendous supporters of Australian motor sport.”
As for DJR, season 2015 is likely to be a huge year for the stalwart team as well, having joined forces with US motor racing giant Roger Penske, who has not only taken a stake in the team, has also helped facilitate the signing of former multiple champion Marcus Ambrose – who will end his NASCAR career at the end of the current Sprint Cup series, to return home.
Ambrose fans will not have to wait until 2015 to see their hero either, with news tonight (Sunday 26 October 2014) that DJR has obtained a wildcard entry into the Sydney 500 at Homebush for Ambrose to return to the V8 Supercar Championship. Expect plenty of drivers to remind him of what he has missed on the track, while he has been away.
