AirAsia partners team MOFAZFortec Motorsport

07 September 2009

Dynamic partnership set to conquer tracks of Europe!

AirAsia and Team MOFAZFortec Motorsport sealed a partnership agreement today, with the prolific venture set to burn the tracks of Europe. The world’s best low cost carrier will be supporting the racing team’s quest to dominate the World Series by Renault Formula 3.5 Championship.

Team MOFAZFortec Motorsport is a Malaysian racing team and an emerging force in the European racing arena. The team’s driver, Fairuz Fauzy, achieved a maiden podium victory at Hungary’s Hungaroring circuit in June this year and second place at UK’s Silverstone circuit in July.

The Team’s other driver is Estonian’ Sten Pentus, who scored his first podium finish at the Circuit De Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain.

The team has won the hearts of motorsport fans with their determination off the track, and surprising competitors with their prowess on the track.

AirAsia Group CEO Dato’ Sri Tony Fernandes said, “We are proud to be in this dynamic partnership and we wish all the best to Team MOFAZFortec Motorsport in their racing endeavours. We would like to congratulate the drivers for their fine achievements, especially to Fairuz Fauzy for his excellent PODIUM win in Hungary. Motorsport involves a lot of determination, courage, technological precision, competence and outstanding teamwork to ensure success. The qualities needed are the same ones that have made AirAsia the World’s Best Low-Cost Carrier in just 7 short years.”

AirAsia was chosen the “World’s Best Low-Cost Carrier” by a majority of more than 16 million airline passengers in a survey conducted by the London-based and leading aviation consultancy SkyTrax.

Fernandes also emphasised that AirAsia’s sponsorship and support for MOFAZFortec Motorsport was another demonstration of AirAsia’s commitment to boosting Malaysian sports and burnishing “Brand Malaysia” across the globe. “We care deeply about the state of Malaysian sports, and sponsoring MOFAZFortec provides us with an opportunity to demonstrate our support for Malaysians and Malaysian teams that excel globally, competing against the best,” he said.

Team MOFAZFortec Motorsport is currently placed fifth in the World Series by Renault Formula 3.5 2009, despite it being its first year in such a global championship. The team managed to defy all odds to constantly produce amazing results at each and every race.

This collaboration will help AirAsia promote Malaysia and ASEAN to the European market and beyond. It seeks to attract travellers from Europe to experience the wonders of Malaysia and an array of exotic ASEAN destinations, all within reach thanks to AirAsia’s low fares, unparalled connectivity of routes and frequency of flights.

“Our relationship and association with AirAsia is truly timely, what with the stakes being raised higher for all teams in the World Series by Renault with only 2 race meetings left in the season”, said Haji Fauzy, the Team Principal of MOFAZFortec Motorsport. “Both organisations have shown that through hard work and diligence, any obstacles could be overcome, and thus, the beginning of this strong and driven alliance between the two globally-forward enterprises will help fortify brand MALAYSIA across the globe, and also provide the opportunities for our fans throughout the world to know how united we are under the banner of One Malaysia”.

The World Series by Renault Formula 3.5 has marked itself as one of the primary routes to Formula 1, with Robert Kubica, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Jamie Alguersuari amongst its recent graduates. The new Formula Renault 3.5 machines incorporate the latest aerodynamic technology which appears on Formula 1 cars in recent years, and is equipped with a 3.5 litre V6 engine peaking at 500 bhp utilising ‘flexfuel’ technology.

Renault has put into implementation the technological advancement that it has garnered over the years through its involvement in Formula 1 to allow competitors in the World Series Formula Renault 3.5 to be prepared for the highest level of motorsports, whereby several similarities are put in place in the cars to help drivers familiarise themselves with the rigors and challenges demanded of a Formula 1 driver.