12 July 2011
This coming weekend 15-17 July at Willowbank Raceway in Queensland the Winternationals re-run not only signals the end of the 2010/2011 ANDRA Championship season, but also the end of one of Drag Racing's most successful partnerships – Jim Read Racing and Auto One.
With Auto One deciding to exit Drag Racing and support another form of motorsport, this also means Jim Read Racing will lose their long term naming rights sponsor.
“We have had 10 fabulous years together’ stated Team Principal Jim Read, “Auto One have been a wonderful supporter of our team through the lean times, and then our good times, and I will always be grateful to John Scott from Scott’s Auto One at Penrith (in Sydney’s west) for having the vision to convince Auto One to invest in our sport at a time when we still didn’t have a venue in Sydney and limited opportunities elsewhere”!
“Our partnership with and obligation to Auto One officially ended at the Winternationals’ rained out meeting in June” said Bruce Read “however out of respect and gratitude to all of the Auto One store owners Australia wide, we will carry their colours one last time by running at the Winternationals re-run this coming weekend”
“Since 2005 we have delivered 4 ANDRA Top Fuel Championships (3 with Phil Read and 1 with Martin Stamatis), and have finished 1 and 2 numerous times in the Championship” said Bruce, “and it would be a wonderful way to show the Auto One store owners how grateful we really are for their support over the last 10 years by winning this coming weekend”.