New sponsor continues to power Viking’s success – the ODYSSEY continues!
Viking 4x4 Club are delighted to announce a season-long agreement with EnerSys®, the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, as official sponsor of the 2015 Winch Challenge Series. In addition, the ODYSSEY® Battery brand will be the primary sponsor for all teams competing in the six events of the championship. The ODYSSEY Battery Winch Challenge Series is due to commence in April. This follows LRS Off-Road’s decision in autumn 2014 to withdraw their sponsorship of the Viking 4x4 Club’s six event challenge series after a successful 6 year period. Even though this is the end of an era, it is by no means the end of the road.
The format for each event will remain the same as it has for the last 6 years: 50 punches set out over challenging terrain, at venues across the Central region of England, stretching from Kettering to the East and Leek to the West.
ODYSSEY is keen to promote the grassroots side of the off-roading scene and this fits nicely with the ethos of Viking 4x4 Club events.
“It is easy to associate the ODYSSEY Battery brand with some of the leading drivers and teams that compete in Ultra4®, extreme 4x4 and winch challenge events across Europe. EnerSys also recognise it is important to support those people at the other end of the scale who give up their time to safeguard the Winch Challenge Series as an established fixture in the calendar. We believe that by supporting the Viking 4x4 Club and encouraging new members it will guarantee the ongoing success of this series,” says Chris Pretty, EnerSys Sales Director for Specialty Batteries.
Viking events are well known for their friendly rivalry and for the help and encouragement offered to newcomers to the challenge scene. For the first few years, the series ran 3 classes; one winch, only, for Class 1, two winches for Class 2 and any number of winches and lockers for Class 3. However, last year saw the introduction of the Entry Level class for trucks with an MOT and a single low line winch (Not 8274 type). The idea was to open up the event so that the average “green laner” with a winch could also take part. The entry fee for this class was also offered at a reduced rate of just £35 per event, which is £15 cheaper than the other classes. There are a couple of mandatory rules such as an MSA competition license, which is relatively low cost and readily accessible, and there are no wire ropes allowed, but not much else. The aim is to get as many people involved as possible.
So, if you have ever fancied giving it a try, there really is no better time, especially with the support of a fantastic new sponsor; ODYSSEY Battery.
