MEMBERS IN MOTORSPORT
SUPERCHEAP AUTO BACKS TCR AUSTRALIA
The popular retailer has been announced as the naming rights partner of the series for the next five years A new long-term partnership has been announced between the Australian Racing Group (ARG) and Supercheap Auto, which will see “Australia’s most recognised retailer of automotive parts and accessories” as the naming rights partner of the TCR Australia Series. For five years commencing in 2021, Australia’s version of the global TCR (Touring Car Racing) formula will be known as the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series.
The 2021 Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series will take in six rounds, with every race of the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series to be televised live and free on the channels of the Seven Network. Supercheap Auto will also partner the V8powered S5000 open wheel category competing for the Australian Drivers’ Championship and Motorsport Australia Gold Star in 2021. The new partnership continues Supercheap Auto’s long-standing commitment to Australian motorsport, where it has successfully supported race teams and major events for close to 25 years. “As an Australian owned retailer, we are proud to continue investing in Australian Motorsport,” Supercheap Auto Managing Director, Benjamin Ward, said. “The TCR series with its diverse range of turbocharged touring cars deliver fantastic racing and with the broadcast of every race now on free to air television – this is accessible to all Aussie motorsport fans.” Supercheap Auto has over 300 stores across Australia and New Zealand and specialises in automotive parts and accessories and also stocks tools and accessories for the DIY home handyman and products for travel, touring, outdoors, garage and the shed. For more from Supercheap Auto, visit www.supercheapauto.com.au 30
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine February 2021
ZF AND SACHS: “MOTORSPORT IS IN OUR DNA” Motor racing at the very highest levels can subject components to the absolute extremes of performance, temperature and durability that cannot be replicated in laboratories or test environments According to ZF, this is why ZF Aftermarket and its Sachs brand have been synonymous with global motorsport since 1923. ZF utilises the Sachs motorsport program as a development platform for its range of original equipment and aftermarket shock absorbers and clutches, and as validation of their performance and durability. Formula 1, World Rally Championship, Formula E, sports car competition, DTM German Touring Cars, off-road racing, drifting, and the Supercars Championship have all witnessed this proactive development and testing of Sachs products. Every year more than 10 million vehicles fitted with Sachs shock absorbers roll off assembly lines around the world in an impressive demonstration of ZF’s credibility and compliance as an original equipment supplier. This extensive product catalogue manifests itself into a local range of more than 2,500 aftermarket shock absorbers, together with a further 350 strut mounts and bearings, and 200 bump stops and boot kits. Shock absorber fitments are available for performance cars, family cars, SUVs, trucks, trailers and light commercial vehicles, with the specialised Sachs MAX range for 4x4, off-roadvehicles and light commercial vehicles. Clutches too are a core product from ZF’s Sachs brand, with more than 1,500 units on offer. Like its shock absorbers, ZF says Sachs clutches have a long history of performance and durability validation in all manner of motor racing, including Formula 1 and locally in Supercars. Sachs clutches can be ordered from ZF Services Australia individually or as installation kits. These kits include a pressure plate, clutch disc and
release bearing, as well as special grease for ease of assembly.
Sachs and Australian Motorsport Think Australian motorsport and you think Craig Lowndes. A long time Ambassador of the brand, Craig has recently taken on the role of Product and Technical Expert for Sachs. Craig has raced with Sachs products dating back to 2005, with the relationship providing numerous highlights, including six Bathurst 1000 victories, a total of 58 Supercars Championship race wins and 164 podium finishes. Highly popular within the Sachs customer base, Craig’s background as a trained motor mechanic resonates strongly with those operating in the workshop environment, with exclusive meet and greet experiences planned throughout 2021, further connecting the face of the brand to end users. With his intimate knowledge of the products, Craig is currently hosting a summer campaign promoting the Sachs MAX big bore range of shock absorbers, with a video series of helpful tips, ensuring Australians get the most out of their fourwheel drive adventures. The clips can be viewed via the Sachs and ZF Services Australia social media channels between December and February, with further information available at www.sachsmaxshocks.com.au In keeping with the theme, Craig has been used as a conduit to connect his motorsport fan base to the Sachs MAX products via the online giveaway of Sachs Summer Packs, featuring a range of camping accessories. By drawing on his motorsport experience into everyday driving, Craig is essentially in line with ZF’s global engineering team, who are constantly applying lessons learned in the motorsport arena for use in the passenger vehicle range of products. For detailed application information on the full Sachs range, visit www.sachsprovenperformance.com or contact ZF Services Australia via 1800 ZF SALES (93 72537).
