LATEST TITLE FOR THE BEND PRIOR TO MAJOR RACE
Ahead of the significant race weekend hosting the eighth round of the Supercars season, The Bend racetrack is set to undergo a minor transformation.
The racing track located in South Australia will be rebranded from The Bend Motorsport Park to Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, featuring a noticeable new bright red sign on its pit complex.
This new name will be retained for the next ten years under an agreement established earlier this year between VIVA Energy and the OTR Group.
During the month of April, VIVA Energy, the company responsible for managing the renowned Shell brand in Australia, entered into an agreement with Peregrine Corporation, owned by the Shahin family, to acquire the OTR Group for a total of $1.15 billion.
Nevertheless, the upcoming weekend's competition will retain its name as the OTR SuperSprint, serving as the last round before the endurance races commence.
The Shell brand holds a prominent status in global motorsport, with well-known teams like Ferrari, Dick Johnson Racing, and Team Penske proudly showcasing the recognizable combination of yellow and red hues.
Sam Shahin, the Managing Director of Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, expressed his pride in witnessing the presence of the brand at his racetrack.
"We feel a profound sense of honor as a prominent worldwide brand has dedicated itself to a robust and extensive collaboration with our enterprise," he stated.
"This stands as proof of the reputation The Bend brand has garnered since its inception nearly ten years ago when we embarked on constructing this facility."
Alistair MacDonald, CEO of Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, remarked that the news has generated considerable enthusiasm within the racetrack community.
"We are enthusiastic and keen to collaborate with VIVA Energy & Shell V-Power in forging a partnership that offers substantial benefits for all involved, representing the fusion of a world-class venue and a world-renowned brand."
This announcement marks the commencement of a fresh chapter for The Bend circuit, now entering its sixth year of operation since its inauguration in 2018.
The venue is currently amidst its most bustling period, with a schedule of over 310 on-track days mapped out for 2023.
Among these, three days are reserved for this weekend's Supercars round, featuring three 20-lap races aimed at thrilling fans.
Shane van Gisbergen, who secured a clean sweep last year, stands as the driver to beat, having clinched victory in the recent Sydney race. Notably, he also emerged victorious in the inaugural Supercars race at the upscale South Australian circuit back in 2018. Zoe Bettison, the South Australian Tourism Minister, emphasized that the event and the circuit have firmly established themselves as integral components of the state's landscape.
"Securing a formidable global entity like Shell V-Power serves as not only an indicator of The Bend's robust standing as a venue, but also underscores the market's unwavering confidence in the enduring success of this impressive South Australian enterprise," she conveyed.
"From the inception in 2016, when ground was first broken, up until the present moment, The Bend team has been resolutely focused on cultivating the venue into a world-class motorsport facility and an essential destination within South Australia."
"We recognize that events provide individuals with a compelling reason to explore our tourism regions – and motorsport events such as the upcoming OTR SuperSprint align precisely with our objectives to attract visitors and stimulate spending in this area."
"Remarkably, last year, the significant events hosted at The Bend contributed over $14 million in economic gains for the state."
The Bend SuperSprint is set to commence this Friday, with Supercars taking to the track for the first time on Saturday morning.
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