22/02/2010

Australia's largest franchise retailer of quality automotive aftermarket accessories and spare parts, Autobarn is a perfect fit for the hugely popular Touring Car Masters.

With a network of over 90 stores, Autobarn is renowned for offering a top quality range of merchandise with a blend of expert service and competitive prices.

Joining forces, the relationship between Autobarn and Touring Car Masters presents a wide range of new opportunities to grow both brands.

Supporting the category since its inception in 2007, Biante Model Cars has become synonymous with the series through its invaluable patronage and Biante remains a major sponsor of the Touring Car Masters series in 2010.

After joining the series for the 2009 season, Shannons has now stepped up its Touring Car Masters sponsorship program with the leading insurer to be featured on the side number panel and headlights of every entrant, as well continuing support of championship contender Jim Richards in his popular Shannons Falcon Sprint.

Rounding out the sponsorship line up, Rare Spares remains the series' number plate sponsor and will again host official Rare Spares autograph signing sessions with the stars of the Touring Car Masters at each round.

The Touring Car Masters entries will once again be shod with Hoosier Dot Radial tyres as Hoosier Tires is once again named as the official tyre supplier for the category.

The Touring Car Masters presented by Autobarn will line up for the season’s first event at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide (SA) on 11-14 March.

PAUL BURFITT - Autobarn Motorsport Director:

“We are extremely excited to embark on this multi-year agreement between Autobarn and the Touring Car Masters.

“We see the series as a great fit with our market. The series is hugely popular and has been growing rapidly.

“It’s a great, highly professional category and we have some exciting plans for 2010 and beyond.”

CHRIS STILLWELL - TCM Chairman of the Board:

“As a group, we are extremely excited to welcome Autobarn into the Touring Car Masters Series.

“This is a very natural fit all round with Autobarn and the Touring Car Masters both growing from similar core principles and a shared market of motoring enthusiasts.

“Autobarn has a longstanding commitment to providing leading brands at very competitive prices, backed by expert customer service. Similarly, the Touring Car Masters aims to deliver high quality race entertainment while containing costs and maintaining safety and reliability.

"The category has gone from strength to strength in only a few short years and we are confident that with Autobarn as presenting sponsor the popularity and profile of the series will continue to soar.

“We would like to thank the support of each our ongoing sponsors Shannons, Rare Spares, Hoosier and most importantly Biante who have been fundamental in allowing us to grow the series to the level it is now.”

The Touring Car Masters is proudly presented by Autobarn, and supported by Biante Model Cars, Shannons Insurance, Rare Spares, Hoosier Tires and official charity RSPCA Australia.