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             LHT enters Hamilton Street Race.

Les Harrison Transport has teamed up with Caleta Streetrace Management as an official supplier for the next 5 years for the ITM 400.

LHT is soley responsible for the safe delivery of all V8 Supercars and equipment from the Auckland International Airport and returned, following the event each year.

       “Being a local company and being successfully appointed
       for 2010 onwards shows the confidence for Caleta in LHT
                to come up with the goods” says Les Harrison.

LHT already works in with several suppliers for the race and now becoming an official supplier to the will allow for further networking and efficiences for the enormous logistics behind the event’s infrastructure build up to pack out each year.

The ITM 400 has already become a significant event in terms of profile and is a strongly recognized brand that we are proud to be associated with especially being Hamilton’s largest event in history and the largest annual event in New Zealand says Craig.

In the coming months you will see some of the Hinos in the fleet undergoing graphics changes to accommodate ITM 400 branding as we feel it is important for us to help push and promote, not only LHT’s commitment and involvement, but of similar importants, the event for the promoters and the city of Hamilton.

More news to come shortly - be there will LHT!!!

Hamilton V8 Supercar street race now the ITM 400

New Zealand largest annual sporting event, the V8 Supercar street race in Hamilton, today announced a long-term naming sponsor.

The event set for 16-18 April next year will be sponsored by ITM, New Zealand’s largest group of independent trade building supply merchants, for the next three years and will be known as the ITM 400.

In launching the 2010 event, the organisers released details of the new flexi-stand ticket – the ultimate General Admission ticket, revised and larger gold level grandstands and significant lowering of pricing in all silver grandstand and general admission categories.

The announcements are an exciting development for the New Zealand sole round of the V8 Supercar Championship that has attracted 300,000 fans in the first two years.

“To secure a naming sponsor of this significance provides increased commercial credibility and to achieve this outcome in the current economic climate speaks volumes for the stature of our event and our belief that V8 Supercars can deliver a value for money, positive return on investment for sponsors,” said Event Director, Steve Vuleta.

“ITM have been a sponsor in the last two years. They are a strong New Zealand company with nationwide distribution, their customers are our key demographic and ITM has excellent brand and corporate values.”

ITM, with more than 90 branches nationwide, are delighted with the new sponsorship.

“The whole team at ITM is thrilled to be the naming sponsor for the ITM 400,” said Gordon Buswell, CEO of ITM.

“At ITM we have built our brand to attract customers, build credibility with suppliers and excite our people. The ITM 400 undoubtedly achieves all three.

“This will be our third year of involvement in what has become NZ’s largest sporting event. The construction of the track, its removal, the precision of the racing teams and the responsiveness to the needs of the motor racing public are all measures of professionalism that we are thrilled to be part of.

“We look forward to being part of the success of the ITM 400 team for at least the next three years.”

The announcement has met with a positive response from V8 Supercars.

“The ITM 400 in Hamilton is without doubt the best sporting event in New Zealand. It is also a vital part of our Championship and its’ long-term future,” Executive Chairman, Tony Cochrane said.

“This is sensational news that ITM, a company that is enjoying such tremendous growth has chosen to increase its sponsorship to naming rights level. It clearly shows that companies associated with our sport, the V8 Supercar brand and the great events we stage bring with them significant rewards for our partners.”

The organisers, pleased with a favourable date in the last week of the school holidays, said they felt it important to recognise the current economic climate in ticket pricing.

“We have reduced our pricing for general admission and silver grandstands by approximately 30 per cent,” Mr Vuleta said. “Fans will be able to come to the event for as little as $19 for the day or a three-day grandstand seat for only $95. We believe that is excellent value for money.

“Plus we have converted four of our existing grandstands to the new flexi-ticket seating. Basically this is an enhanced General Admission ticket but with the benefit of a non-reserved grandstand seat – all for only $95 for all three event days. These seats will operate on a first-in first-served basis.”

The Hamilton event, which has become a pioneer for the successful new street race in Townsville and the upcoming round in Sydney, has become a key part of the championship, according to Australia’s most decorated driver, Mark Skaife.

“Driving in the very first Hamilton 400 was an experience I will never forget,” Skaife said.

“It is just such a well run, first class weekend. To come back again this year as a Seven television commentator, it was hard to believe they could top year one but they did exactly that.

“There’s no question the ITM 400 in Hamilton has a special place in V8 Supercars as what I call a signature event. It sits alongside the very best of our events each year.”

Tickets are on sale from today. All information is available on the website www.itm400.co.nz with ticket sales online from the website or at all Ticketek outlets.

The sponsorship brings several exclusive benefits for ITM customers, including exclusive merchandise and tickets packages for the ITM grandstand in Hinemoa Park for trade customers and a 15% discount on general admission and grand stand tickets for Priority card holders. More information regarding packages and deals will be sent directly to our customers or further information can be obtained in store at all ITM Building Centres.