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ONE of the most successful teams in recent years in V8 Supercar racing – Kmart Racing – is without a main sponsor after Kmart pulled out yesterday.
The terminating of its sponsorship will be a shock to V8 Supercar fans who are now well used to seeing the brand on some of the best cars in the field.
The team with drivers Rick Kelly and Greg Murphy has won the past two Bathurst 1000 races. Also, the Murphy-Steven Richards Commodore which won the race in 1999 carried Kmart sponsorship.
The Kmart Racing team is owned by Rick Kelly's father John Kelly, a Mildura business man and property developer. He could not be contacted yesterday, his office saying he was out of phone range.
However, Holden Motorsport spokesman Tim Pemberton said yesterday the team would continue.
"It will run two cars again in 2005," he said. "It is looking for other sponsorship."
Murphy announced a few months ago he was leaving the team to take Jason Bright's seat at Paul Weel Racing for 2005. Pemberton said Murphy's leaving was completely coincidental to Kmart ending its sponsorship.
Rick Kelly will have Garth Tander as a team-mate in the coming year in a team that could well be tagged Kelly Racing unless a major sponsor is found soon.
Kmart managing director Hani Zayadi said "The decision was reached amicably and follows our annual business review of all sponsorships associated with our brand.
"It ends a very successful five-year arrangement and all of us at Kmart wish John and his team every future success," Mr Zayadi said.
The team's winning track record will make it attractive for interested sponsors who would get excellent media coverage but big dollar figures are involved.
The 2005 V8 Supercar Championship begins at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, March 17-20.
Source - The Advertiser Web Site
The terminating of its sponsorship will be a shock to V8 Supercar fans who are now well used to seeing the brand on some of the best cars in the field.
The team with drivers Rick Kelly and Greg Murphy has won the past two Bathurst 1000 races. Also, the Murphy-Steven Richards Commodore which won the race in 1999 carried Kmart sponsorship.
The Kmart Racing team is owned by Rick Kelly's father John Kelly, a Mildura business man and property developer. He could not be contacted yesterday, his office saying he was out of phone range.
However, Holden Motorsport spokesman Tim Pemberton said yesterday the team would continue.
"It will run two cars again in 2005," he said. "It is looking for other sponsorship."
Murphy announced a few months ago he was leaving the team to take Jason Bright's seat at Paul Weel Racing for 2005. Pemberton said Murphy's leaving was completely coincidental to Kmart ending its sponsorship.
Rick Kelly will have Garth Tander as a team-mate in the coming year in a team that could well be tagged Kelly Racing unless a major sponsor is found soon.
Kmart managing director Hani Zayadi said "The decision was reached amicably and follows our annual business review of all sponsorships associated with our brand.
"It ends a very successful five-year arrangement and all of us at Kmart wish John and his team every future success," Mr Zayadi said.
The team's winning track record will make it attractive for interested sponsors who would get excellent media coverage but big dollar figures are involved.
The 2005 V8 Supercar Championship begins at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, March 17-20.
Source - The Advertiser Web Site