Team Halfords no more?

[mark]

Just seen on a motorsport news site that Halfords are probably going to be sponsoring the Minardi's in F1 this year! Apparently Halfords is a dutch brand and has links with Jos Verstappen.

I would imagine that Halfords would only concentrate/afford one project, so possibly withdrawing association with VLR and the BTCC. Seems a shame, but there you go.

[John]

Didnt think Halfords were such an international brand (but shows what I know!)

This might explain the link up between VLR and Team B&Q for this season, as John Batchelor has shown he is very effective at getting sponsorship and maximising publicity.

If this is true though it is a shame - especially because of all the free Hafords stuff they gave out last season (and of course the Halfords totty!!) ;)

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

I thought this would come. VLR aparently have no idea what they are doing in the BTCC in 2003 although BTC-P 307s look likely. 28th Feb is the closing date for entrys to the BTCC so something has to happen soon.

[Claire]

Halfords has a 3 year deal to be part of the BTCC, I'm sure like others they can do two things at once!!

[MPR]

Not always, take Peugeot.....

[Ann]

Halfords were purchased from Boots by (I think) CVC Capital Partners. Halfords are very much a UK company but CVC, while UK based, have interests all over Europe. Seem to remember something about a big Dutch acquisition not too long ago so maybe some cross- company connection? It was definitely a 3-year deal with VLR though.

[tvgod]

Some years ago, before Halfords was owned by Boots, they opened stores in Europe.

When Boots took over, they weren't interested in the European stores, so didn't buy them. However these stores were allowed to use the Halfords name.

CVC then bought Halfords from Boots, and relaunched it to what it is now.

There are still Halfords stores elsewhere in Europe, mainly in France and Holland, but they aren't owned by CVC. I'm not even sure if the French stores and the Dutch stores have common ownership.
Certainly in France the Halfords stores don't seem to sell the same sort of things as those in the UK.

[John]

I've had a look on the Halfords' web site and cant find anything there. I couldn't find any mention of the deal being for three years in the origional press release last year (but at the same time there was nothing to say it was for any other length of time).

They appear to make a lot of the BTCC exercise and focus a lot on the fact that the team won the indy championship. In addition they see the touring cars as improving the image of the Halfords brand. The following is an extract from a press release dated 19/3/02:

Halfords today unveils a high speed move forwards for its vibrant new brand. Two Peugeot 406 coupes will showcase Halfords bold orange and black brand identity in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) 2002. The Team Halfords sponsorship is a significant step on the road to radically improving customer perceptions of the company.

"Our customers are willing us to do more with the Halfords brand," says David Clayton-Smith, Director of Marketing & Merchandising. "They are starting to see the progress we are making with our new style stores but they also need to see us taking the brand out of the store environment. This sponsorship is a great way to demonstrate our passion and expertise to both customers and staff."

Clayton-Smith continues: "Many of our customers still see us as the family bike and car parts retailer of their childhood and are not aware of the great strides forward we have made with top brands and enthusiast product ranges. Team Halfords is the catalyst for us to really change that perception through using the link with BTCC and the emotions it conveys in-store, in all our communications and at the races themselves. "

The company has invested £47 million in revamping over 70 stores so far with plans to complete the rest of its stores in 2004.


Reading this I think that providing VLR can come up with a competitive package and find some cars to run this year there doesn't seem to be any reason why Halfords would not be prepared to stay on as sponsors.

CVC bought Halfords from Boots for £427 million. Therefore they are not small companies and it seems feasible that CVC (the Halfords brand) can support bothe Minardi and VLR

[The Stig]

Went to the motorsport Portal with the blue homepage earlier and this appears to have some credibility. F1 is the most expensive motorsport in which to have a commitment, does make one wonder will they continue with the BTCC. Did I read earlier in this thread Halfords are governed by a three year contract. If so, when does this expre.

[Claire]

I guess it should expire at the end of 2004, I didn't see the deal in a press release but that info did come from a team member, I just hope that they come back to defend their indy title. I would not be a happy camper if one of my favourite driver's wasn't there.

[MPR]

It's probably unlikely that it was a firm 3 year contract and more likely to be a one year deal, with options to extend.

Why would Halford's commit to three years, before knowing if it would be effective?

Furthermore it may well be that the motorsport element of their budget has been allocated to Minardi, this is nothing to do with their overall marketing budget which they will spend on press/TV and billboards.

It will be a shame if the title sponsorship of a 3 car team ends up turning into a contribution towards a tiny sticker on a 2 Minardi's, as big name sponsors in the BTCC are becoming few and far between, again......

[John]

Good point - two little stickers on a car that generally gets less coverage than the safety car (or Hakkinens wife used to get) doesn't seem to offer the benefits of a title sponsor of a top independent team. But as F1 gets more exposure than BTCC who am I to tell them whats best?!?

[Alfa Fan]

I think Halfords will remain. They ssemed very upbeat about the BTCC project at Donington Park last year. Also, the Team halfords Peugeot 406 Coupe was tested by Dan Buxton in the Team Halfords liverly a few months ago. Whats the point in sponsoring a team at the back of F1 when its dying, over sponsoring a 3 car team how are reigning champions in there class! :confused:

[touringlegend]

I find it funny that VLR don't seem to have any firm plans for this year if Halfords were continuing their sponsorship. Surely if they had that security of finance from Halfords they could of pressed ahead with their plans?

Or have they and they're just keeping quiet about it?

[MG_Fan_2003]

i've read on a F1 site that the Halfords sponsorship of Minardi will be through it's Dutch offshooot,and will be small sinage on the sides of the cockpit so if this is true it shouldn't have any affect on the VLR team unless it's through an overall budget not a localised one. I think the possibilty of Peugeot backing the project or a budget shortfall could be reasons for the delay for an official announcement.

[The Stig]

The cost of that 3 inch square logo on either side if an F1 car could probably fund a mid table runner in BTCC for 18 months. Expect the Dutch/Halfords/Minards + F1 tie up has a lot to do with
Jos (The Boss) Verstappen, a bit of a legend in Holland.

[thommo_fan]

it said in autosport that VLR want to run 307's in the touring class this year but they are struggling to find the budget.
they are also a long way behind with the design of them, but they've still got last years 406's as back up.

apparently tim harvey isn't likely to drive for them if they get the money together, maybe making way for danny buxton.