Racers land major sponsorship deal.

At a pre-arranged press conference at Smallmead Stadium yesterday lunchtime, Reading Speedway unveiled a lucrative team sponsor for the 2003 season.

Euphony Communications Limited, have agreed to sponsor the Racers for the next 12 months, in an undisclosed five-figure deal. The deal is initially a one-year arrangement, but with the option to continue long-term, if all parties are satisfied with how things develop.

It is a major boost for Reading as they approach the new campaign, and gives them their first team sponsor since the 1990 season.

Euphony are a market leader in the provision of low cost flexible residential and business call packages throughout Europe, whose head offices are based in Central Reading.

The Reading Speedway team will be known as the Euphony Racers, and Euphony's invaluable support of the team will help immensely in the strive for Premier League honours this coming season. Euphony's commitment to the club has already allowed the team an opportunity to undertake an intensive pre-season training session in Italy, in preparation for the commencement of the new season, which begins on the 16th March.

Reading's Promotion is delighted to have secured this agreement with Euphony and both parties view their association as a long term, mutually beneficial partnership. This agreement has allowed a direct relationship between the fastest growing low-cost telecommunications supplier and the local team within the UK's fastest growing motorcycle sport.

Racers Promoter Pat Bliss is delighted to be welcoming Euphony on board, she said, "The link up between Euphony and the Reading Racers is a great boost for the club, as we start the 2003 season.

"We are delighted by the enthusiasm and commitment showed by Euphony to speedway at Reading. The Promotion and the Riders will be doing their very best to make this a memorable year for the Club.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support and, hope this will be just the start of a long and profitable partnership."

Reading's newly appointed Commercial Manager Paul Hunsdon enthused, "Euphony have been a pleasure to deal with, I'm sure the relationship will be a long and rewarding one for both parties, the enthusiasm and drive that the team at Euphony have is highly impressive."

David Faithful, Managing Director of Euphony is extremely positive about the new partnership, stating, "We see Speedway as one of the fastest growing spectator sports, and our partnership with Reading Speedway was a natural step for us to take.

"Euphony has hundreds of thousands of valued customers across Europe, and we are entering a further phase of huge growth which will be aided by significant brand awareness during 2003.

"The promoters, management and the excellent team line-up at Reading Speedway for the 2003 season gave us huge confidence that a long term partnership between Euphony and Reading Speedway, would prove fantastically beneficial to both parties."

The Euphony partnership does not simply end with the corporate sponsorship of the Speedway team, but also extends out to the Reading fans and supporter base. Euphony can provide the fans with a fantastic opportunity to raise money for their team. By connecting to the Euphony telecoms service, not only can users benefit from a reduction of up to 30 per cent on their telephone bills, but Euphony have agreed to make a ?10 donation to the club for every fan that signs up to the Euphony service, as well as making an ongoing contribution to team funds, by donating a minimum 2 per cent of the total value of calls made each month.

The sponsorship will also include a performance related payment relating to Reading's on-track performances - The higher Racers finish in the Premier League, the more the payment.

To learn more about Euphony and the Racers go to: www.readingspeedway.com.

Picture courtesy of Reading Speedway / Bill Taylor.