And the Ford World Rally Team!
The World Rally Championship and BP-Ford World Rally have formed a joint partnership with Kärcher, the world market leader in cleaning technology, for the 2006 season of the FIA World Rally Championship.
Backing both the series as a whole and BP-Ford World Rally Team, with two-time World Champion Marcus Grönholm and young hot-shot Mikko Hirvonen, Kärcher`s aim is to build the brand`s recognition rate around the world. With Formula 1 team sponsorship over the last three years under its belt, the German family-owned company which boasted a €1.1billion turnover in 2005, is no stranger to setting its sights high.

Georg Metz, Managing Director, Sales and Marketing Worldwide, Kärcher said: “No brand awareness means no demand and the prime objective of sponsoring for Kärcher is to increase brand awareness throughout the world. We have been involved in a number of sports at top level, including football and Formula 1 and we are excited to become involved with such a fast developing sport as the WRC and with such a successful global brand as Ford.”

Malcolm Wilson, Team Director BP-Ford World Rally Team commented: “We`re delighted to link up with a company of Kärcher`s stature. It has a history of involvement at the top level of motorsport and it is fitting that it is now making a step into WRC for the first time with Ford.”

Adding to their comments, Simon Long, Managing Director ISC Ltd, said: “This alliance between three leading global brands – Kärcher, Ford and WRC – represents an extremely exciting marketing platform. With WRC growing in quality and global awareness I have no doubt that this partnership will be a dynamic showcase for the distinctive premium attributes of the Kärcher brand. Together, we look forward to bringing Kärcher to an even wider audience of motorsport fans.”

The FIA World Rally Championship starts with Rallye Monte Carlo, running from 20-22 January 2006. Further rounds of the WRC take competitors as far a field as Mexico, Argentina, Turkey, Japan and Australasia.

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