Tasman unveils new sponsor, livery.

Tasman Motorsport will be known as Sprint Gas Racing for the next three years, after one of Australia's largest suppliers and exporters of automotive LPG/CNG conversion equipment committed to a multi-million dollar deal.

The agreement, the first multi-year naming rights deal in the team's history, sees Tasman move away from its previously successful 'segmented sponsorship' model, and managing director Jeff Grech sees a lot of positives in Sprint Gas' arrival.

"It's absolutely sensational to have a serious naming sponsor on board with Tasman Motorsport," he said, "The time was right to go to the more traditional naming rights sponsorship arrangement, as Tasman is entering its fifth competitive year, we've shown that we are in it for the long haul, we've got two competitive drivers and our technical programme is improving big time.

"I think we are an attractive business opportunity, which has been reflected in serious competition for space on the car. We've got a new livery, a fresh look and feel with a great long-term sponsor and two fantastic new cars only weeks away. I think the team and the fans should feel pretty good about Tasman's future."

Sprint Gas replaces Rockstar, which had naming rights on the two Tasman VE Commodores at the final two rounds of the 2007 season, but Grech reveals that the team was fortunate to persuade the newcomer to up its backing.

"All I will say is that Tasman was in deep negotiations with Rockstar, and all was looking good for the relationship to continue in 2008, but they reneged on the deal forcing us to go to market," he said, "We were really fortunate to already be in talks with Sprint Gas for minor signage on the two Holdens. When the opportunity presented to increase their presence within the team, they jumped at it.

"Sprint Gas has shown through its advertising activity in the marketplace that it is serious about marketing its product. The ability to increase awareness and sales in Australia and New Zealand using Tasman Motorsport helps take their programme to another level."

"Sprint Gas is excited to be in partnership with Tasman Motorsport," company MD Giuseppe Boemo confirmed, "[We have] some major business plans in the pipeline that will become reality thanks to the relationship with Tasman Motorsport and the V8 Supercar Championship, [which] gives Sprint Gas an impressive platform to emphasise the value of LPG Autogas as an alternative automotive fuel and the benefit of using Sprint Gas, Australia's premium LPG conversion systems.

"V8's are so popular and the fan base is continuing to grow at a frantic pace. The opportunity to market to such a large and diverse demographic was an opportunity we couldn't resist."

Boemo said that he saw a lot of positive parallels between Sprint Gas and Tasman Motorsport that made the decision to invest an easy one.

"Both Sprint Gas and Tasman are heading in the right direction, we are both very competitive and are committed to success," he said, "Growth is the key. Sprint Gas is going to places that we never imagined five years ago. The scope to take the business even further is realistic and attainable thanks to the current global fuel climate.

"I see Tasman going in the same direction. They've made some significant changes to the team in the last year that will put them in good stead this year. Not content with their past performances, Tasman is striving for race wins and championships. The brand awareness benefits for Sprint Gas are immense, this will put our name at the forefront. These are definitely exciting times."