NGK to back Pirtek Rally Team

One of the world's leading brands of spark plugs, NGK, has joined the Pirtek Rally Team for the 2007 NEC Australian Rally Championship season.

The title sponsor of the Rally of Melbourne, NGK has expanded its rally portfolio with the addition of the two-car Ford Fiesta team of Michael Guest and Darren Windus.
 
"We have been very pleased with our Rally of Melbourne sponsorship and were keen to look at other ways to increase our involvement," said Peter Hein, Associate Director - Sales for NGK Australia.
 
"With the Pirtek Rally Team stepping-up with two all-wheel-drive entries in 2007, we viewed this as a great opportunity.
 
"Like the team, we are excited about what can be achieved in 2007. It would be nice for the team to be in a position to challenge at the NGK Rally of Melbourne later in the year." (See separate story)
 
The arrival of NGK is part of the ongoing development at the Pirtek Rally Team. Since December the team has expanded and been working on building the two Fiestas for the NEC Australian Rally Championship.
 
Expansion to the team has included chief engineer Glenn Rees, design engineer Dean Cowling, team leader Grant Howse, fabricator/technician Gavin Mosher and commercial manager Ben Beazley. The team will also draw input from former Subaru Motorsport Manager, Greg Foletta, who will be part of the organisation's V8 Supercar operations. (See separate story)
 
"There are still a few pieces to fall into place, but overall we are all working towards the first event on the Sunshine Coast," said Ben Beazley.
 
"As well as the build program here in Australia, there is a large amount of work being undertaken overseas with engines at Mountune in the UK and Sadev in France on the transmission side.
 
"Although Greg Foletta's role will be mainly focused on the V8 side of things, he will also provide valuable input on the Pirtek Rally Team.
 
"Having the V8 side of the operation working in conjunction with the Pirtek Rally Team is sure to provide dividends for both programs.
 
"On a commercial side we are working with a number of different partners to ensure they get full value from being involved with an exciting program such as this."
 
The opening round of the 2007 NEC Australian Rally, the coates Rally Queensland will be run on 31 March - 1 April on the Sunshine Coast.
 

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