Aviva has announced that they are to sponsor two Team Aviva branded cars driven by Colin Turkington and Duncan Huisman in the last two rounds (Rounds 21 and 22) of the FIA World Touring Car Championship in Macau on 18 November.
Aviva has announced that they are to sponsor two Team Aviva branded cars driven by Colin Turkington and Duncan Huisman in the last two rounds (Rounds 21 and 22) of the FIA World Touring Car Championship in Macau on 18 November.
Both will drive a BMW 320si E90, the same model which Andy Priaulx drove to win the WTCC driver's championship last year, for the races at the four mile street circuit in downtown Macau.
The sponsorship deal was announced by Aviva at The Motorsport Industry Association's Annual Summer Reception held at the House of Lords, London.
Simon Machell, chief executive of Aviva Asia Pacific, commented: "Aviva are delighted to announce our new sponsorship in the World Touring Car Championship. We're a global business and Asia is extremely important in our growth plans, with the sponsorship providing a unique opportunity for the Asia-Pacific audience to interact with the Aviva brand.
"The comprehensive TV rights deal that the WTCC has, with coverage in over 30 countries, will also provide Aviva with brand awareness and help us promote our One Aviva message across the globe. We felt that the WTCC was a perfect fit in that it demonstrates Aviva values including teamwork, innovation and performance."
Turkington, who currently stands fifth in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, is also competing in Rounds 17 and 18 of the WTCC at Brands Hatch on 23 September for Team RAC.
Dutchman Duncan Huisman is a previous winner of the World Touring Car Championship round in Macau having won the second race of the 2005 season, and also has victories in the Guia race for touring cars at the same circuit for three consecutive years in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
Colin Turkington said: "I can't wait to get behind the wheel for Team Aviva in Macau. The Brands Hatch round will be a superb experience for me to test myself against the best, and the Macau round will bring new challenges as it's recognised as one of the most demanding circuits in the world."
Duncan Huisman added: "Team Aviva have given me a superb opportunity and it's one I'm very much looking forward to. I have a good record at Macau from previous years and will certainly be using that experience to do everything I can to record race wins for Team Aviva."
Dick Bennetts, Team Principal for WSR who will run the cars for Team Aviva in Macau, commented: "Everyone at WSR is extremely excited about Team Aviva competing in Macau. We have two very good drivers in Duncan and Colin, one of which has a race win in the BMW at the circuit, so we're certainly approaching it in a very confident mood.
"It's another superb opportunity for Colin and his development as a young racing driver and I'm sure he will perform very well. With him taking part in the Brands Hatch round too later this month, it will give us valuable information for the trip to Asia in November."
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Colin Turkington profile
Name: Colin Henry Turkington
DOB: 21 March 1982 (Newry, County Down)
Lives: Portadown, County Armagh
Height: 5' 8", 173cm
Siblings: brothers, Gary and James
Other facts: Colin has completed his BA Hons Business Studies at Stirling University, graduating with a 2:1 degree with honours
Best race: Round 18, Donington Park, 2003
Motorsport hero: Joey Dunlop
BTCC wins: 9
Duncan Huisman profile
Name: Duncan Huisman
DOB: 11 November 1971
Lives: Rotterdam
Height: 185cm
Other facts: Loves golf, squash, running, music, scuba diving and motorsport. Duncan is assistant of the course in Zanvoort
Work: Instructor for BMW (Formula BMW)
About Aviva
- Aviva is the world's fifth-largest insurance group and the largest insurance services provider in the UK.
- We are the leading provider of life and pension products in Europe and are actively growing our long-term savings businesses in Asian markets, Australia and the USA.
- Our main activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance.
- We have premium income and investment sales of £41.5 billion and £377 billion of assets under management. We have 59,000 employees serving over 40 million customers.
For further information please contact:
Jonathan Neill/Nina Cresswell
Lexis Sport
0207 908 6434 / 07738 336486
Free for use photography of Colin Turkington and Duncan Huisman is available from Lexis Sport.