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AFTER weeks of speculation, the future of the Super GP has hit the skids after naming rights sponsor Nitro reneged on its financial obligations.
Gold Coast Motor Events Company (GCMEC) has terminated the naming rights agreement with the energy drink manufacturer because of its failure to make payments. GCMEC general manager Greg Hooton is in a tailspin to find a replacement just two months out from the event.
Nitro Energy Drink joint managing director Matt Nielsen is not returning calls. Ironically, the company's tagline is 'go hard or go home'.
But the Opposition has been quick to pounce on the issue, saying the Minister for Sport Phil Reeves has had to shift into reverse gear just 12 days after claiming all was well with the event.
“During the last sitting of parliament the Minister assured me that due diligence had been followed and that the image of the event had been enhanced by the naming rights sponsor,” says LNP spokesman for Sport Jack Dempsey.
“Now he has told us that the sponsorship deal has crashed and burned before even getting to the starting grid. This government’s attempt to run a motor sport event on the Gold Coast has been a wreck.
“First they lost the champ cars and now the Minister is trying to tell Queensland motor sport fans and Gold Coast residents that losing a naming rights sponsor is no big deal.
“The Minister told parliament the terminated agreement had little financial impact on the event – if this is the case, you have to wonder what the SuperGP was getting in return for the honour as naming rights sponsor.
“The Minister for Sport needs to get his act into gear and make sure this show gets on the road.”
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