Independent oil distribution company Oil 4 Wales has sponsored a new rally team that is lining up for a season of competition in the Welsh Rally Championship and the Wales Rally GB.
As it looks to expand its presence across Wales, the company, which has depots in Milford Haven, Felinfach, Carmarthen and Cardiff, has signed up to support Spencer Sport for its first competitive season.
The Spencer Sport team has been created by Jamie Jukes, a former Champion National Hunt and Point-to-Point jockey, who has now turned his attentions from four-legs to four-wheels.
Having successfully contested a number of regional rallies during the past two years, Jukes decided to embark on a full season of motorsport in 2014 and set up Spencer Sport as a division of his land management company Spencer ECA, a client of Oil 4 Wales.
Jamie explains: “As a company, we wanted to create something that would enable us to harness the passion, excitement and competitive edge that only sport can provide. Sport is in my DNA and, whilst I fully accept that my riding days are now over, I have always had a passion for rallying. Added to this, some of Spencer ECA’s work takes place in the forests, which has further fuelled my enthusiasm for the sport.”
To get the team’s campaign off to a flying start, Oil 4 Wales arranged for some of its Brand Ambassadors to attend the launch at Spencer ECA’s premises near Llandysul in Ceredigion.Jonathan Davies, Ken Owens and Rhys Priestland took time out of training ahead of their Six Nations opener against Italy to officially launch the new team.
Founder of Oil 4 Wales, Colin Owens, said: “Spencer Sport is an exciting new rally team which we’re looking forward to supporting. The sponsorship comes at an opportune time for Oil 4 Wales as we look to expand our presence across the country and fulfil our dream and business plan of becoming the oil brand for Wales. It’ll be great exposure for us as the Spencer Sport team will be competing at rallies across Wales.
“I’m delighted that our ambassadors Jon, Dan, Ken and Rhys could join us for the launch as like us, they share the same passion for Wales and sport as we do.”
Wales centre, Jonathan Davies, said: “I enjoy all sport so it was great to support the launch of Spencer Sport’s rally team on behalf of Oil 4 Wales. I’m naturally a competitive person so it was great to get a taste of what rallying is all about. I wish the team all the best in their first competitive season.”
The Spencer Sport rally team is planning a season of competition in its native Wales and will be challenging for the Welsh Clubman’s 2WD Forest Rally Championship title. Plus, to round off the campaign, the team will enter the Wales Rally GB in November.