North West 90th anniversary bid to secure new race sponsor

Sponsor search: Mervyn Whyte

CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE Mervyn added: “We have enjoyed a strong relationship with Vauxhall and are very grateful for the support we have received from them and would like to put on record our sincerest thanks.”

Whyte revealed his team have begun negotiations with several major companies as prospective replacements for the title sponsorship role.

A statement from Vauxhall HQ yesterday added: “As with any type of sponsorship that Vauxhall takes on, we constantly evaluate its value to the business, as market trends and our customer base change from year to year.

“In the case of both the North Wes 200 and Four Nations (which finished last month), we’ve decided to research fresh sponsorship opportunities, which may put us before new audiences.

“This is the only reason we’ve opted to withdraw our sponsorship from North West 200.”

With the North West estimated by an economic impact survey to be worth £9.8m to the local economy and, with global TV coverage attracting a new sponsor should not be a major problem.

With regard to the Vauxhall sponsorship of the Northern Ireland football team, the Irish FA, like the North West 200 organisers, are actively seeking new backers.

The association aim to have a new commercial partner on board for the Euro 2010 qualifiers.In the meantime, the IFA will support the Cancer Fund for Children as part of a fundraising drive to get £50,000 for the charity.