Camel’s Back In Motorcycle Racing With Pons MotoGP Team

Camel’s Back In Motorcycle Racing With Pons MotoGP Team

© 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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From a press release issued by JT International:

Camel and Honda Pons embark on a new partnership in MotoGP

Geneva, January 28 2003 – JT International and the Grand Prix team Honda Pons are proud to announce the birth of a new partnership that will see the tobacco giant’s Camel brand holding the Title Sponsorship of the MotoGP World Championship team for the next three years.

The new partnership between one of the most famous cigarette brands worldwide and a team with the pedigree of Honda Pons, with its 20 years of experience in World Championships, is a perfect match.


From left, Max Biaggi, Sito Pons, Tohru Ukawa.

The team, expertly managed by two-time World Champion and IRTA President Sito Pons, and headed by technical genius Antonio Cobas is one of the most successful teams in MotoGP, finishing as one of the top three teams in the last three Championship seasons. With the incorporation of 2002 Championship runner-up Max Biaggi and third-placed Tohru Ukawa, both riding the supremely dominant Honda RC211V, the prospects for success for the Camel Pramac Pons team are extremely high.


Max Biaggi.

Following its acquisition of the international operations and brands of R.J. Reynolds in 1999, JT has become one of the top three global tobacco companies with tobacco sales of 453.5 billion cigarettes and 31.4 billion USD in fiscal year ended March 31, 2002. JT owns three of the top five tobacco brands worldwide, including not only Camel, but also Mild Seven, sponsor of the Renault Formula One team.


Tohru Ukawa.

While this is the Camel’s first participation in Motorcycle Road Racing Championships, the brand has had a long time association with Motor Sports, most notably with its involvement in Formula 1 in the late 80’s and early 90’s, with the Jordan, Lotus, Benetton and Williams teams.

Celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, Camel is one of the world’s leading brands, sold in nearly 100 countries. Leveraging its rich heritage as one of the most renowned consumer brands worldwide and its reputation for innovation, Camel introduced its latest generation product range in 2002, supported with a new brand logo and advertising campaign. The MotoGP sponsorship is another move by Camel to enhance its international premium image, in an effort to increase market share globally.

The official presentation of the Camel Pramac Pons team will take place on the evening of March 14th 2003 in Barcelona, at a venue to be confirmed.

Patrick Enright (Camel Commercial Vice-President, JTI):
“We are extremely excited about the new partnership with Honda Pons. To enter into the MotoGP arena, as Title Sponsor of a team is a significant milestone for Camel and we are delighted that the Camel brand will be represented around the world by such a prestigious and successful team. We are convinced that the technical expertise and experience of the Camel Pramac Pons team, coupled with the brilliance of born-winners Max Biaggi and Tohru Ukawa, will bring much success both on and off the track to everyone involved in the project.”

Sito Pons (General Manager, Camel Pramac Pons):
“We are delighted to be able to welcome Camel into the world of MotoGP and particularly honoured that they have chosen to work with our team for the next three years. Right from the beginning Camel have demonstrated a whole-hearted commitment to the new MotoGP project and the passion, enthusiasm and experience they bring is a great plus not only for our team, but also for the Championship as a whole. Our aim, as always, is to win and now, with Camel’s support, we have added the final piece to the jigsaw of what we hope will be a championship-winning combination of riders, team, bike and sponsor. And in Max Biaggi and Tohru Ukawa, we certainly have the riders with the ability to claim the much-coveted World Title for the Camel Pramac Pons Team.”



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