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Castrol has joined the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb as the official lubricants partner, as well as the media service partner from 2019.
The three-year agreement sees one of the world’s leading lubricants brands join an elite group of sponsors and partners of the annual Knysna-based Hillclimb, which is widely regarded as South Africa’s premier motoring and motorsport lifestyle event - taking place this year from 3 to 5 May.
According to Ian Shrosbree, managing director of the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb, the Castrol partnership brings together two strong brands with a lot of synergy, and it opens up many exciting possibilities for the event going forward.
He says: “It is our pleasure to welcome Castrol to our portfolio of event partners. Castrol is a global household name renowned for its premium quality lubricants and for pushing technological barriers to constantly improve the product. Likewise, the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb is regarded as the premium motorsport event in the country which we have achieved by pushing the barriers to always improve the event.
“It is our goal to also make the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb a household name in South Africa and abroad. We have some work to do to match Castrol’s renown, but we are confident that this partnership will play a huge role in our efforts to achieve that goal.”
Image: MotorPress
A leading name
Castrol is a world-leading manufacturer, distributor and marketer of premium lubricating oils, greases and related services to automotive, industrial, marine, aviation, oil exploration and production customers across the world.
Shane Solomon, Castrol’s head of marketing for Africa, commented: “We are excited to be part of this prestigious event. Castrol has always been a recognisable brand amongst the automotive industry. Our partnership with the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb will showcase our positioning as a significant player and take back our rightful position within motorsport in South Africa and Africa.
“As a leading brand that prides itself on developing best-in-class technology, we look forward to a long-lasting partnership for the future.”
A success story
Castrol has an esteemed and exceptionally proud motorsport history dating back to 1906, with a deep-rooted passion for racing. It is also the global lubricants supplier to Jaguar and has enjoyed a long association with the British marque. Castrol helped power the legendary Jaguar XJR-9 to victory at the 1988 Le Mans 24 Hours, followed by the Jaguar XJR-12 taking the title in 1990.
In Formula 1, Castrol won the Formula 1 Drivers and Constructors title in 1997 with Jacques Villeneuve and the Williams Renault F1 team.
Castrol is the official partner to a wide range of teams, including the 2016 Le Mans-winning Ford Chip Ganassi Racing, and the Ford M-Sport team in the World Rally Championship which claimed the world title in 2017 and 2018 with Frenchman Sébastian Ogier.
The lubricants specialist has also won the Dakar Rally three times in a row (2009 to 2011) and the World Rally Championship title an unprecedented four times in succession between 2013 and 2016 with Volkswagen.
In an incredible run that will be hard to beat, Castrol and Audi claimed an astonishing 13 victories at the Le Mans 24 Hours between 2000 and 2014.
Image: MotorPress
