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Penrite and V8 Superboats extend relationship into 2020

Sean Henshelwood on 3rd January 2020

Coming off the back of two successful seasons of the Australian V8 Superboats Championship and a UIM-sanctioned World Series at the close of 2018, Australia’s iconic Penrite Oil have announced they will support the popular series for a third season in 2020.

The relationship has proven to be successful for both entities with Penrite leveraging their involvement in a range of promotions, whilst their support has allowed V8 Superboats to expand their profile to a larger audience – an emerging ‘developmental’ LS-Class and record crowds at almost every stop an encouraging sign as the sport moves into a fourth decade.

“The last two years have seen significant exposure for V8 Superboats, and it has had a profound affect on the sport,” Superboats spokesman and board member Justin Roylance admitted.

“From the quality of our racing and the teams competing, to the presence we have online through social media and our popular LIVE stream, to the additional international exposure we’ve been able to attract over the last 18-months, it has all contributed to the popularity and growth of the sport and we’re thankful that Penrite has been such a big part of that development.”

The UIM World Series in late 2018 saw an outstanding battle between the world’s best teams, a battle which ultimately saw seven-time national Champion Phonsy Mullan claim his – and Australia’s – first Unlimited Superboat world crown.

That paved the way for an incredible 2019 Australian season which saw some of the best racing in recent years, defied somewhat by the domination of drivers like Slade Stanley (Unlimited Superboat champion), Paul Kelly (400-Class champion) and Kyle Elphinstone (LS-Class champion).

The racing was world class and the fans reflected that with record crowds at almost every event, and incredible online numbers for the LIVE streaming for each and every stop of the seven-round season, just under 585,000 people following the action online, with a social media reach of 3.5-million fans.

From Penrite’s perspective, the last two seasons have given them a great feel for what the sport is about, in the process giving them access to a passionate and dedicated group of people – on both sides of the fence – that are committed to the sport and its supporters.

“We were impressed with the passion of the teams and the fans over the last two years, and we are keen to keep that momentum going this year,” Penrite Oil General Manager Toby Dymond admitted. “Like us, these people are purists who love their motorsport, and have seen that repeatedly, both online and at events ourselves, it was fantastic to see and we want to use that passion to further promote our relationship this season.”

Penrite is no stranger to motorsport, having been a part of a variety of categories over the years, although perhaps their highest profile association in recent times came as part of their relationship with the Erebus Motorsport Supercars team, a front-running operation that has continued to stun the established teams since their maiden Bathurst 1000 victory in 2017.

For the Penrite Australian V8 Superboats Championship, the new season will kick off early in the year at the popular Lake Centenary venue in Temora for the Colin Parish Memorial in late February, with the promise of some outstanding action, with rumours of more new boats and new teams, and the return of some epic rivalries.

2020 Penrite Australian V8 Superboats Championship

Rnd#1 – Temora, NSW – 29 February (Colin Parish Memorial)
Rnd#2 – Keith, SA – 28 March (Diesel & Dirt Derby)
Rnd#3 – Griffith, NSW – 2 May
Rnd#4 – Tweed Coast, NSW – 13-14 June
Rnd#5 – Tweed Coast, NSW – 8-9 August
Rnd#6 – Temora, NSW – 12 September
Rnd#7 – Keith, SA – 10 October [FINAL]

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