Pizza Hut revs up for sponsorship of V8 ute driver Steve Charman at the Bathurst 1000 race – campaign to be created via M&C Saatchi

September 21 2012, 10:42 am | BY Lynchy | No Comments

IMG_5874.jpgIn conjunction with the launch of its supersized pizza offering, The Plank, Pizza Hut Australia

has announced the company’s first-ever sponsorship within the motorsport industry, backing

2011 NSW Formula Ford Champion and rookie V8 Ute driver Steve Charman at the Bathurst

1000 race.

This is Pizza Hut Australia’s first major sporting sponsorship and the investment is valued at $200,000, including TV advertising and Facebook promotions to be created by M&C Saatchi.

Says Graeme Houston, Pizza Hut Australia’s general manager: “Pizza Hut is thrilled to be involved in one of the country’s most well-regarded motorsport events. In particular, we’re proud to support Steve as he works to build on last year’s success and take the next leap in his career.

“Pizza Hut is the world’s largest pizza chain but selling pizzas isn’t the only thing we do. We love getting behind Australian talent and can’t wait to see how Steve performs in his debut at Bathurst.”

Charman has been racing since 2009 and started his career in the Formula Ford open-wheeler category. Last year, Charman took out the NSW Formula Ford Championship with Anglo Motorsport, and saw the V8 Utes as a great opportunity to further his motorsport career.

Says Charman: “Pizza Hut has given me an amazing opportunity and support for my debut at Bathurst in a FG Ford V8 Ute for the 50th Anniversary Bathurst race weekend in October.

“My debut in V8 Ute Racing will be my first National Championship event, first big race in a race car with a roof, and definitely a good step on the way to every Australian driver’s dream of racing in the V8 Supercars in the future. I am looking forward to working with Pizza Hut. It’s going to be an exciting event.”

The key components of the sponsorship include naming rights and full car livery, as well as a major prize package to be won at Bathurst 1000 for four friends to score a VIP trip to the Gold Coast round of the V8 Ute Series, in which Charman will also be competing this year. Charman’s V8 Ute also features in Pizza Hut’s latest TV commercial for The Plank.

Says Anup Jain, head of marketing and food innovation at Pizza Hut: “It’s widely understood that blokes love fast cars and pizza so we’ve combined both to produce the ideal partnership. We’re very excited to get behind Steve and provide him with our full support as he debuts at Bathurst 1000.”

Pizza Hut has also launched a competition on its Facebook page, giving fans the chance to win one of two VIP double passes to the Bathurst 1000 race. The passes include a money-can’t-buy experience where the winners and their friend have the opportunity to be part of Steve’s pit crew at the Bathurst 1000 weekend.