Pirtek to sponsor inaugural Endurance Cup

Pirtek will continue their long and successful affiliation with Australian motorsport after assuming the naming rights for the maiden V8 Supercar endurance cup. The fluid systems company will back the newly implemented initiative encapsulating the Sandown, Bathurst and Gold Coast events for the next four years under a new deal.

The Pirtek Enduro Cup will be presented to the drivers who amass the highest tally of championship points during the Sandown 500, Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast 600 endurance events each year. An overall prize has not been awarded for endurance races since 1992, and it will be the first time that three events are combined to assemble a smaller championship within the overall title race.

V8 Supercars Chief Executive, James Warburton, embraced Pirtek’s four year naming-rights commitment to the Enduro Cup.
“The iconic Sandown 500 and Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 have been amongst the most prestigious sporting events in Australia for half a century,” Warburton said. “Last year we announced the Armor All Gold Coast 600 would join them in the Enduro Cup. With its wonderful heritage in motorsport, it’s fantastic to be able to announce that Pirtek will assume the naming rights for the Pirtek Enduro Cup.”

Stephen Dutton, the chief executive of Pirtek, was more than happy to involve his company in something that so closely resembles their mission.
“The V8 Supercars endurance races represent quality, durability, preparation and teamwork from each of the 28 cars that begin all three of these events and that’s exactly what Pirtek is all about,” said Mr. Dutton. “These elements are the foundation of Pirteks’s systems which have seen the company grow from a small Western Sydney business to having over 400 franchises in 22 countries around the world”.

Pirtek has long been associated with Australian motorsport, with the name most prominently carried on the championship winning Stone Brothers Falcon of Marcos Ambrose. Casey Stoner’s Triple Eight development series Commodore also carries backing from the fluid systems company, further reinforcing their support of Australian motorsport at all levels.
Not only was the association publicised today, but details were also divulged with regard to the unique trophy which will be presented to the winners of the Enduro Cup.

Australian artist, James Corbett, has been handed the responsibility of creating what will become one of the most recognisable trophies in Australian sport. Corbett is undoubtedly the man for the job, having built a career on sculpting such creations.
“The majority of my pieces are made from old car parts and some of those have been up to 80 years old,” Corbett said. “I thought it would be a terrific challenge and something different I could really enjoy.
“Pirtek have given me a pile of their fittings to work with and it is my job to create an iconic Australian sporting trophy, which will also be appreciated as a piece of art – it certainly won’t be something you can buy off the shelf.”

Pirtek will use the three endurance events as a platform to disseminate their brand, including a media campaign surrounding Corbett’s much anticipated creation, as well as promotions for spectators, customers and franchisees alike.

The inaugural Pirtek Enduro Cup kicks off at Sandown on the 15th of September. It will be followed by the illustrious Bathurst 1000 on the 13th of October, before the teams descend on the Gold Coast for the grand finale on the 26th and 27th of October.