Antonov sponsors A1 Team Netherlands
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Antonov plc has announced its sponsorship of A1 Team Netherlands. The automatic transmission specialist enters the sport as a brand new sponsor on the eve of the third A1 GP ‘World Cup of Motorsport’ season. Antonov’s corporate identity will be prominently displayed on the nose cone section of the A1 GP racecar

“The majority of our shareholders are based in the Netherlands,” said John Moore chief executive Antonov plc. “Sponsorship of A1 Team Netherlands was a logical choice, particularly with the first race of the season being at the Zandvoort race circuit, where we have previously demonstrated our vehicle technology. Motorsport forms a natural part of the automotive industry and this global sponsorship programme will help us achieve our automotive marketing and business objectives – particularly in China.”

Antonov has previously announced a Chinese project with vehicle manufacturer Geely and has more recently secured a second Chinese programme with component supplier Loncin. Both companies are pursuing the development of six-speed automatic transmission systems that would be manufactured in China employing Antonov technology.

Moore added: “The A1 GP series provides Antonov with a global motorsport marketing platform for reaching important automotive growth markets in China and Southeast Asia, where four of the eleven races are held, and where VIP hospitality is particularly important for developing a relationship with corporate clients. Clients in this part of the world have an increasing love affair with motorsport and providing corporate hospitality forms an important part of their cultural way of doing business in which socialising and entertainment forms such a very important role.”

“In addition, our increasing level of automotive design activity in the UK, where our engineering effort is now based, means that the race at Brands Hatch next year will also be important to us.”

The first race of the season starts this weekend on Sunday 30 September at Circuit Park Zandvoort. A1 Team Netherlands and all other teams are currently preparing to ship everything they need for the race from their Silverstone base to Zandvoort, where from 28-30 September the opening round of the third A1GP World Cup of Motorsport season will be held.

On 16 December 2007 and following other races the teams move to the Zhuhai circuit in China and then on the 6 April 2008 to the Shanghai F1 circuit also in China, where carmakers need automotive transmission technology and is the country with the fastest growing world market for automatic transmissions.

On 4 May 2008 the race returns to Brands Hatch in the UK, where Antonov currently is moving into a new technology centre based at Leamington Spa from where it can recruit the high level design engineers it requires.

Of the 22 national teams competing for the A1 GP championship, A1 Team Netherlands has been one of the more consistent front-running performers during the first two seasons with two race wins and the team ended season two in 5th position overall.

For more information, please contact:

John Moore, CEOAntonov plc+44 1842 768 320Jos Haag, DirectorAntonov plc+31 651 561 767

Further information on Antonov: www.antonovat.com