PTT signs Bt80 million deal to lend a hand in hosting 2018 MotoGP
PTT has signed a one-year-contract to become the official partner of the 2018 MotoGP from October 5-7 at Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram province.
The oil and gas giant is the first major sponsor of the first world class motorcycle race to be hosted by Thailand. The Sports Authority of Thailand, on behalf of the Thai government, had earlier inked a deal with Dorna Sport, the rights holder of the event, for three years from 2018-20 with a deal of Bt100 million for each year.
It was expected that PTT would offer Bt80 million funding to have its name in the official tournament title as PTT Thailand Grand Prix 2018 for the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix (MotoGP).
“PTT supports the governฌment to host the MotoGP in order to show the world that we have one of the best motorsport cirฌcuits in the world, and that we are able to host a worldclass motorsport event as efficiently as other nations,” said Auttapol Rerkpiboon, chief operating officer, Downstream Petroleum Business Group, PTT Plc.
“PTT and Thais are exceptionally proud to host the grand prix and welฌcome motorsport enthusiasts from all over the world, which will help boost the country’s revenue. This is what the government is trying to achieve,” he added.
The event is expected to attract tourists and motorsport fans from all over the world, and also boost tourism and all related industries as well as the overall economy.
Thailand will host the 15th of 19 races in the season. In addition to hostฌing the event, the winter test will also take place in Buri Ram from February 1618.
PTT is offering its customers who are passionate about MotoGP plenty of privileges: special activities at PTT servฌice stations and participating shops in the PTT network, a 25 per cent disฌcount on ticket prices for holders of the PTT Blue Card, and special series of PTT Lubricants products for collection.
MotoGP is the world’s number one motorcycle road racing championship watched by more than 800 million people and broadcast live to more than 200 countries around the world.
There are more than 1 million MotoGP fans in Thailand. World’s famous riders, Marc Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi, will lead more than 90 talented drivers, including the one and only Thai to participate in the Moto3 World Championship throughout the season, Honda Team Asia’s Nakarin Atiratphuvapat, alongside wild card Thai riders to excite motorsport fans in Thailand.
