Sapphire Vehicle Services supports Yamaha WorldSBK and Jonathan Rea in 2024
Sapphire Vehicle Services, one of the UK’s leading independent service and maintenance companies with 13 heavy goods vehicle service centres spread across the country, is delighted to announce its continued partnership with Crescent Yamaha’s official WorldSBK team, spearheaded by legendary rider Jonathan Rea in 2024.
After a successful 2023 season which saw Yamaha and at least one of its riders on the podium on almost every single WorldSBK race on the global stage, the team and its partners have welcomed the signing of Rea to challenge for the World Championship title once again next year.
The Northern Irishman is widely regarded as one of the greatest motorcycle riders of all time, holding every major WorldSBK record in the book alongside his six championship titles – and his motivation for a seventh, this time with Yamaha, is at an all-time high. Rea and Sapphire’s relationship is literally “close to home”, as Sapphire’s latest partner Rockmount Vehicle Maintenance is based minutes away from Rea family home in Northern Ireland.
Sapphire’s branding will be proudly displayed on both Rea and teammate Andrea Locatelli’s Yamaha R1 WorldSBK race machines throughout the 2024 season as well as across the team’s pit box and supporting assets.
Sapphire will continue to look after all servicing and maintenance needs of the team’s two Mercedes-Benz Actros 510hp 1851 tractor units and pair of custom-built race transporter trailers, which carry race bikes, spare parts and much more to race meetings across Europe.
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Yamaha’s official WorldSBK team,” said Grant Tadman, Group Commercial Manager of Sapphire Vehicle Services. “As a leading provider of professional vehicle services, we understand the importance of precision, performance, and reliability. These are the same qualities Paul and his team bring to the race track to ensure their riders Jonathan and Andrea can perform on the world stage, and they align perfectly with our brand values. Jonathan in particular is widely regarded as the most successful WorldSBK rider of all time – his exceptional skills and dedication to the sport make him an ideal ambassador for Sapphire Vehicle Services.”
“It is a pleasure to continue our partnership with Sapphire Vehicle Services into 2024,” said Paul Denning, Team Principal of Yamaha’s official WorldSBK team. “Working with Sapphire for a number of years now behind the scenes, we can genuinely say that their service and support has been crucial to our day-to-day running – and ultimately, success – on the world stage by ensuring that our race transporters, Yamaha R1 WorldSBK race machines and team equipment arrive safely at every European round of the championship. We look forward to continuing to work with Grant and his team, and sharing in the excitement of the 2024 season with our riders Jonathan and Andrea.”
Be sure to keep a lookout on the Sapphire Vehicle Services social media pages for the latest Yamaha WorldSBK updates, as the team completes its winter test programme in January before the opening round of the 2024 FIM Superbike World Championship in Phillip Island, Australia on 23-25 February.
