SP Tools nails down SBR deal.

SP Tools has signed a deal to continue as the naming rights sponsor of Stone Brothers Racing's #9 Ford Falcon for the next two V8 Supercar Championship seasons.

As a result, SP Tools branding will again grace one of two new SBR Falcons next year, to be driven by Kiwi 'young gun' Shane van Gisbergen, who is also contracted to SBR until the end of 2010.

"We are exceptionally happy with the performance of both Shane and SBR in 2008," SP Tools general manager Tommy Tucker said of the deal with the three-time series champions, "The team's performance and Shane's improvement as a V8 Supercar driver has matched the incredible growth that SP Tools has experienced in the Australian market.

"The exposure delivered by becoming a naming rights sponsor with SBR in 2008 has been more than we could have wished for, and we expect that 2009 will only bring more benefit as Shane shows the series what a terrific talent he has become."

SBR team principal Ross Stone admitted that he sees great synergy in the SP Tools/van Gisbergen partnership.

"It's been fantastic to witness the growth of SP Tools over the last year through their involvement with SBR and V8 Supercars," he noted, "Tommy, Kevin Davis and the team at SP have such passion and enthusiasm for both their product and the sport and it is a great match with the youth and vitality of Shane. Both have taken giant steps in the last twelve months and we now look forward to bigger and better things in 2009 and beyond."

SBR will run two cars in the V8 Supercar Championship Series in 2009 as well as preparing Jason Bright's Britek Motorsport entry out of its Yatala workshop but, having lost racewinner James Courtney and Jeld-Wen backing, further announcements regarding the team's driver line-up and corporate partners will be made in the New Year.