Press release from Team Varta Racing

[Craig]

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Press release Team Varta Racing:

The Million Pound Drivers

Team Varta Racing, competitors in this years Green Flag MSA British Touring car Championship, are pleased to announce that the team are to be the recipients of a combined sponsorship/scholarship award of £1,000,000. The deal has been awarded to the team and it's drivers by Varta consumer batteries and is thought to be an entirely unique type of arrangement. Under the agreement, which was brokered by John Batchelor the team owner and supported by Richard West, the Series Director, Team Varta racing will receive both sponsorship funding in excess of £500, 000 and an additional scholarship fund of a similar amount which has been awarded to the drivers and will be specifically targeted at assisting Tom Boardman and Jim Edwards future development in motorsport.

Commenting for Varta consumer batteries, Ayrton Hossin the UK and Ireland sales director said " We are entering the third year of our relationship with both John Batchelor's team and the Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship, and thus far we have had a terrific return on our investment in the team and the series. 2003 marks a significant increase in our involvement. Apart from the major returns that we have achieved in brand exposure and increased sales through our involvement, we see this as an investment in the future direction of British Motorsport.

Our contribution is divided equally between the drivers, with particular emphasis being placed on their future careers. In the case of Tom Boardman, we have recognised an exciting young talent who needs nurturing in the stable environs of a well funded team. As far as Jim is concerned, we felt that his efforts last year were truly awesome in light of the machinery available. This mixture of raw talent and maturity seems to be the perfect combination, and we expect the team to be in the thick of the action all season and on into 2004".

For the team John Batchelor said, " I would like to thank everyone at Varta consumer batteries for placing their confidence in the team, in such a ground breaking and significant way. They seem to understand our philosophy that placing stickers on racing cars is only a very small part of what real sponsorship is about. We have always sought ways of working with our sponsors and the Championship to ensure that, not only do we provide a superb marketing platform, but that we also endeavour to ensure that they get real cash returns on their investment through the medium of networking with other companies who wish to become involved with the Championship . I should also like to take this opportunity to thank Richard West, the Championship Administrator who has given so freely of his time throughout the closed season to ensure that this and other commercial arrangements have been possible.

Richard West commented: "Everyone involved in the Championship and TOCA Tour is constantly striving to attract new initiatives and investment, and with Varta's announcement, this adds further credibility to the continued growth and attraction of the BTCC. I welcome their extended commitment to the Championship and commend them on investing in their joint sponsorship and scholarship scheme.

The team will be entering two Peugeot 307's in the Production class of this years championship with the possibility of an expansion to four cars during the season.

For more information on the team visit www.teamvarta.com