Team 18 has revealed Hino as the naming rights sponsor for Scott Pye’s #20 Hino Holden ZB Commodore for the Beaurepaires Melbourne 400 support races at the 2022 Australian F1 Grand Prix.
It further expands Hino’s relationship with Team 18, which is currently in its sixth year.
“The F1 Grand Prix is one of the biggest sporting events in Australia, and we are excited to showcase the Hino brand on this stage!” said Richard Emery, Vice President of Brand and Franchise Development for Hino Australia.
“It is an extension of Hino Australia’s major sponsorship of the Repco Supercars Championship, a relationship which will continue until at least 2024,” he said.
Hino is the Official Light and Medium Duty Truck and Bus Sponsor plus the official sponsor of the Supercars Recovery Team at selected events including this weekend’s F1 Grand Prix.
“The rear of the #20 Hino Holden ZB Commodore will feature a Southside Truck Centre sticker as a show of support for Steve Robinson and the entire team at our dealership in Lismore,” said Emery.
“Over the last five years, Hino has completed a full product line-up refresh and this is an exciting opportunity for Hino to enhance brand awareness at Australia’s biggest motorsport event.”
In a statement Team 18 owner Charlie Schwerkolt said it represented a special opportunity to have Hino Australia as naming rights partner for the #20 Hino Racing Supercar for the Australian Grand Prix.
“Not only is it a massive event on the Australian motorsport calendar but it is set to be one of the biggest Grand Prix Australia has seen for many years,” he said.
“It’s exciting to have Hino expand its support of the team for this event – Hino has been part of our team since 2018 and has been an integral part of the journey of Team 18,” said Schwerkolt.
“Hino is a major backer of motorsport, not only as a supporter of our team but also as the Official Light and Medium Duty Truck and Bus Sponsor of the Supercars Championship and the host of the popular Hino Hub, providing the vital information and statistics for race fans in the broadcast.
“I have a fleet of Hino trucks in the Waverley Forklifts group, transporting forklifts around every capital city in Australia, so I know first-hand their performance and reliability is second to none.
“We’re looking forward to seeing Scott Pye on track in the Hino car and chasing some great results at Albert Park this weekend.”
2018 Grand Prix race winner Scott Pye said he was excited about the event.
“We are very fortunate at Team 18 to have such iconic brands as sponsors, and, as a driver, to represent these brands is fantastic,” he said.
“To have Hino on the #20 car for the Australian Grand Prix is a very special feeling and hopefully we’re racing at the pointy end so we can get a great result for Hino.
“To race on the F1 calendar is something that’s very special to all of us drivers and the circuit itself is unbelievable.
“This year I’m really excited to head back and see what it’s like with the upgrades they’ve made.”
The Beaurepaires Melbourne 400 runs from 7 – 10 April at the Albert Park street circuit.