Motorite, the largest independent mechanical breakdown insurance and full maintenance plan service provider and administrator in South Africa, has become the newest sponsor in motor sport with the announcement of the Motorite Racing team to contest the 2005 Absa Off Road Championship.
A two-litre Nissan-engined BAT sporting Motorite’s colours will compete in class B of the Special Vehicle category with the experienced crew of Evan Hutchison (driver) and Trevor Ormerod (navigator).
“Today is a big day for us, because we are announcing our first venture into the dynamic and exciting world of motor sport sponsorship,” said Motorite managing director Justen Cooper at the new team’s launch at Wesbank Raceway in Germiston.
“We have made a key decision to market and promote our company and its products and services within the motor industry and, in the process, give something back to the industry we serve and which drives our business.
“We have chosen motor sport, specifically national championship off-road racing, and it is our intention to commit ourselves to the enrichment and building of this branch of motor sport that is already so popular, well administered and well-promoted,” said Cooper.
“We are particularly pleased to see the efforts behind developing off-road racing at the privateer, grassroots level and within all the communities of our democracy,” he added.
Evan Hutchison is an experienced off-road racer who has enjoyed success as a quad racer with several championships to his credit. In recent years he has managed top Special Vehicle teams and combined preparation duties with navigating. This is his first season behind the wheel.
Trevor Ormerod is making a comeback to off-road racing after winning six events in a row in 2003 as navigator to Greg Daus in class S.
Two weekends ago, the pair gave the Motorite Racing BAT a shakedown run in a round of the Gauteng regional off-road championship and finished second overall behind a 3,5-litre V6-engined class S Sandmaster. They comfortably won their class and are confident they have the makings of a title-winning combination in the 2005 national championship.
