TeamVodafone driver's signed on until 2012

Vodafone, Whincup and Lowndes race towards 2012 together

Vodafone Hutchison Australia today proudly announced it has renewed its sponsorship of V8 Supercar Champions TeamVodafone under the Vodafone brand. The new agreement extends Vodafone's participation in the sport until at least the end of 2012.

Roland Dane, Team Principal, has also confirmed the re-signing of V8 Supercar Champion, Jamie Whincup and Australia's most popular V8 Supercar driver, Craig Lowndes for the duration of the partnership. The landmark agreement will see the team-mates race side-by-side for at least seven years.

Under the TeamVodafone banner, the team has won a total of 39 races in addition to its 2008 driver and team championship titles and two prestigious Bathurst 1000 crowns. Whincup and Lowndes have shared Barry Sheene Medal honours every year since Vodafone entered the sport, with a panel of motorsport greats and media nominating the teammates as Best and Fairest for the past three seasons.

John Casey, Director of Marketing of Vodafone said, "Through our unprecedented support of TeamVodafone throughout the years, Vodafone has built a tremendous rapport with Motorsport fans throughout the country. We are proud to reaffirm our commitment to Australia's number one V8 Supercar team."

Roland Dane, Team Principal, said the strategy to extend the naming rights partnership in combination with the re-signing of both drivers was a unique move in the world's most competitive touring car category. "Continuity from sponsors, drivers and team personnel has been one of the key factors to our incredible success over the past three seasons," said Dane. "Today is a historic day and we are very pleased and proud to extend our involvement with Vodafone at least until the end of 2012, along with securing both of our drivers for the same period. "Vodafone's proactive and forward-thinking approach has given us countless opportunities as a team and we are equally pleased to have been able to reward them with consecutive Bathurst wins on top of our championship, backed by 39 race wins during the partnership so far. "Today's announcement will give us the best chance to remain at the forefront of the category as it continues to evolve over the coming years," he continued. Defending champion and current points leader, Jamie Whincup, said the decision to re-sign with TeamVodafone until 2012 would be career-defining. "I am overwhelmed with the opportunities that have arisen since winning my first V8 Supercar Championship and I am thrilled to have agreed on a multi-year deal that will see me stay with the world famous TeamVodafone until the end of 2012.

"The main factors that helped me decide my future were the great people at TeamVodafone, a fantastic major partner in Vodafone and the opportunity to remain driving alongside my good mate Craig Lowndes.

"For me the focus is on results, so it is essential to have the most powerful sporting team behind me. Thanks Vodafone; your commitment is safe with us," he added.

Multiple Bathurst winner Craig Lowndes said since the team had become TeamVodafone they had rewritten the V8 Supercar history books. "It is fantastic to be part of TeamVodafone until at least 2012. I have enjoyed every minute since joining the team and I am looking forward to even more success.

"This extension will see me at TeamVodafone for a total of eight years which will be the longest period I have spent with any team.

"The continuity between Jamie and I will serve the team well into the future and having a global brand like Vodafone behind us will really help us to continue our quest to remain at the top of our game both on and off the track," he added.

-credit: tv