Michelin deal for Australian Safari

Promoters of the Australian Safari off-road rally, Octagon Australia, have announced the appointment of Michelin & BFGoodrich Tyres as major sponsors of the event. Michelin has been chosen as the official motorcycle tyre supplier, while BFGoodrich Tires will be the official automotive tyre supplier for the event. The agreement covers both the 2007 and 2008 Australian Safari events.

As part of the sponsorship, Michelin & BFGoodrich Tires representatives will travel with the event, supplying and fitting tyres for competitors along the 5500-kilometre route, which starts in Kununurra, Western Australia on August 24 and finishes in state capital Perth on September 1, 2007.

“Michelin and BFGoodrich Tires are thrilled to be involved in such a fantastic world class rally event, particularly one that caters for both automotive and motorcycle”, said Adam Storey, Michelin Australia marketing manager.

“Not only does it give us an opportunity to showcase our world class products, but it continues our trend towards off road rally events,” he added.

Octagon Managing Director, Sean Nicholls, indicated that having respected motorsport brands such as Michelin & BFGoodrich Tires added significant value to the event.

“We could not be happier about the partnership with Michelin and BFGoodrich Tires, and we look forward to a successful association over the next two years.”

The Australian Safari will celebrate its 20th Anniversary in 2007, but it will be the first time the event has been staged in Western Australia. Drivers and riders can choose from two categories, the competitive off-road rally and a non-competitive component, the Adventure Tour. In this second category, Auto and Moto enthusiasts can join a fully guided self-drive tour that weaves through and around the Australian Safari competition route, taking in some of Western Australia’s famous towns and iconic destinations.

The event is considered by some to be the “Dakar” of the Southern Hemisphere, and it traditionally attracts leading national competitors as well as entrants from countries such as the UK, USA, Malaysia, Sweden, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates and Japan.