Rally New Zealand has confirmed that the leader in home and business IT peripherals Brother International (NZ) Limited is the naming rights sponsor for the 2012 Rally New Zealand, a round of the WRC, and the International Rally of Whangarei, a round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship. It is a significant commitment from Brother as the deal would involve a seven-figure sum if Brother exercises its options for a further two years.
The official titles of the high-profile events are now Brother Rally New Zealand and the Brother International Rally of Whangarei.
Graham Walshe, executive chairman of Brother International (NZ) Limited, says: “Brother is proud to support New Zealand sport. We see a clear fit between Brother’s products and the World Rally Championship, represented locally by Rally New Zealand. Both brands are leaders in technology, innovation and dynamic delivery. At the heart of Brother’s association with both rallies is the desire to highlight our place in the Asia Pacific region, particularly the high standards of service our customers have come to expect. Our service delivery is a key point of difference in all markets in which we compete. In a recent survey, customers rated us the number one printer brand for service in New Zealand.”
Peter (PJ) Johnston, chairman of Rally New Zealand says: “We are excited to be developing a commercial partnership with Brother, an international brand known for its award-winning technology. Forging this partnership is an extremely positive result for New Zealand sport and New Zealand motorsport in particular.”
The partnership with Brother is a significant boost to Rally New Zealand, the country’s longest-running world championship motorsport event. Johnston says the partnership will contribute to Rally New Zealand’s ability to make the sport of rallying more accessible to a wider audience and to support the sport at a grassroots level.
Brother Rally New Zealand is set to attract one of the best World Rally Championship fields seen in recent years with Citroën, Ford and Mini confirmed as manufacturer entries. Last season’s Asia Pacific Rally Championship, which in 2012 features the Brother International Rally of Whangarei as the opening round, was one of the most competitive from a sporting perspective and an equally high-calibre line-up is expected this year.
Brother Rally New Zealand, taking place from 21 to 24 June, is the seventh round of the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship and the fourth round of the 2012 New Zealand Rally Championship. Brother International Rally of Whangarei, running from 30 March to 1 April, marks the opening round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship and the New Zealand Rally Championship.
