As part of a thrust to place the SsangYong brand of SUVs and MPVs in the minds of an active, dynamic population segment, the brand's New Zealand and Australian distributor, Russell Burling, has decided to attach the SsangYong name to motorcycle sport sponsorship.

SsangYong New Zealand's major sponsorship thrust is in the areas of motocross, road racing, the Wanganui Street Race meeting and assistance to individual riders.

In announcing the sponsorship, Russell Burling, the managing director of Rapson Holdings Limited, importers of SsangYong vehicles, said: "I could see an opportunity to gain good exposure for the SsangYong name with support for a sport that is booming in popularity and media coverage with internationally recognised riders and large numbers of competitors, most of whom use SUV-type vehicles to tow their bike trailers, often into areas of rough ground."

SsangYong will be offering major support to the 2004 World MX2 motocross champion, Ben Townley, of Taupo, who will be competing in Europe in 2005 in the MX1 class. This sponsorship assistance will apply to when Townley is in New Zealand. Burling also announced that SsangYong Benelux in Europe would also be supporting Townley while he is competing overseas.

Burling, a one-time motorcycle racer in New Zealand himself, was impressed when he met Townley in mid-2004 and has effectively ensured that the MX2 champ won't have personal transportation worries when he tackles the world's best in the MX1 series in Europe in 2005.

SsangYong has already sponsored the 2004 New Zealand motocross championship, and is currently sponsoring a class in the New Zealand road-racing championship.

SsangYong also has a major involvement with the annual blue-riband Boxing Day street race meeting at Wanganui, where it was overall sponsor.

- Source fromwww.stuff.co.nz(Jan 11, 2005) -