Delphi, the company that makes the parts cars are born with, announced at the start of the Vodafone Rally de Portugal, that it has become the Official Automotive Technology Partner of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). The partnership aligns Delphi with what is widely regarded as the most challenging motorsport competition in the world. The all-action 13 race series, sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), pits cars and drivers in multi day events over some of the most demanding terrains including snow gravel, asphalt - and in all weather conditions.
In 2011, the likes of Citroën, Ford and MINI, will compete for the 38th annual drivers' and manufacturers' championship titles in rallies across Europe, Central and South America, Australasia and the Middle East. While World Rally Cars might look like their road going equivalents on the outside, that's where the similarities end. Inside, their engines, transmission and suspension systems have been significantly upgraded, resulting in a turbocharged, four-wheel drive monster with more than 300bhp and masses of torque, that supports standing starts to 100kph in around three seconds and top speeds up to 220kph. And of course there's also the skill and nerve required to drive flat-out on some of the most testing roads in the world. Whether speeding through forests, along cliff edges, or dodging snow banks, ditches or rocks, there is no room for error. The result, WRC drivers are amongst the best in the world.
This makes it a natural fit for Delphi. Racing, and in particular the partnership with the WRC, epitomizes the very high, extreme durability standards that Delphi strives for every day … in its part and services.
The alliance with the WRC will provide valuable marketing opportunities for Delphi to showcase the brand, and promote its rapidly expanding Delphi Service Centre network. As an official partner, the Delphi logo will appear on championship marketing material and documentation, as well as race documentation such as stage and service park banners and arches, at races throughout the season. This will ensure extensive global TV exposure, with the WRC consistently recording a cumulative audience of over 550 million viewers in over 140 territories. Delphi will also feature prominently, on the Championship's official website, WRC.com, nominated for 'sports website of the year' at the 2011 Sport Industry Awards, and in the WRC's rapidly expanding social media channels. Combined, this will provide a solid, high visibility platform for Delphi to increase its global awareness, and will form the basis of its marketing and communication efforts in Europe in 2011.
To keep up-to-date with the action from the championship, visit WRC.com for the very latest race reports, images, video footage, podcasts and radio coverage, as well as details of local TV broadcasts.
For more information, see the news release.
