BHPetrol teams up with Axle Motorsport
Date: 1 April 2010
Source: www.motortrader.com.my

BHPetrol and Axle Motorsport have teamed up to develop young talent towards Formula 1 racing, starting with support for Axle Motorsport’s go-kart program. The partnership will take the form of a team known as Axle BHPetrol Racing which will participate in the Asian karting Open Championship and Yamaha SL Cup during 2010.

Speaking at the announcement and introduction ceremony in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, this morning, BHPetrol’s MD, Tan Kim Thiam, said: “BHPetrol is delighted to be associated with Axle Motorsport as they are well known in the go-karting industry. Their combination of visibility and leadership in the sporting arena makes it a natural fit for BHPetrol’s branding.”

He explained that the partnership was motivated by BHPetrol’s strategy to use sports as a powerful business-to-business channel and create synergies between different companies within the partnering network. With BHPetrol giving support to the team as a partner, there will also be a stronger presence in the go-kart scene.

The founder of Axle Motorsport is Alex Yoong, Malaysia’s first F1 driver, and the team will have three drivers: Daim Hishamuddin, James Pull and Tan Wei Ron. “Our primary target is to win at least one championship under Yamaha SL Cup and a couple of podium finishes in the Asian Karting Open Championship series,” said Alex.

The team’s emphasis will be on driver development to ensure they have the correct attitude, habits and focus for a correct foundation. Alex said that it is the team’s long-term objective not to just help their drivers in the short-term but to implement proper programs at all levels of motorsport leading to Formula 1.