)
JAPANESE company Nikon has been snapped up as the 2009 naming sponsor for SuperGP, following the financial crash of previous sponsor Nitro.
While Nikon was the sponsor for the 2008 Indy, the recent deal will come as a relief to the newly-named SuperGP, which was left exposed by Nitro’s failure to make payments.
SuperGP general manager Greg Hooton says a ‘satisfactory’ agreement was reached with Nikon and with 50 days remaining the community can expect a stable future for the event.
“It’s certainly a great opportunity for us, after the termination of the previous sponsor, we were able to sit down and put a proposition going forward,” says Hooton.
“The stability is there, it’s called the Super GP – the public doesn’t care what name comes above it, but indeed the situation with Nikon as our sponsor is ideal.
“The Nikon SuperGP will see a new era of motorsport on the streets of the Gold Coast over the four days and nights, and I couldn’t be happier to welcome a blue-chip international partner in Nikon back to the event on the cusp of the newest installment for the world's best motorsport entertainment festival.’’
Nikon Australia general manager for sales and marketing James Murray says the company was unable to look at a full-scale sponsorship agreement earlier in the year, but a more optimistic environment has enabled Nikon to rejoin.
“Motor Sport is always a major occasion for photography, and with the Nikon SuperGP entering a new era this year I am sure an even more sensational spectacle than ever before is guaranteed,” says Murray.
)
