MACAU, Oct. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, S.A. ("SJM") has increased its support of Theodore Racing to become the team's title sponsor and official partner for the 61st Macau Grand Prix in November.
SJM Theodore by Prema returns to Macau to defend the Grand Prix title it won last year, and has expanded its team to three cars to create the largest Theodore entry for 25 years.
SJM, the only casino operator with its roots in Macau, has expanded its sponsorship as a natural progression after being a major partner to Theodore Racing's return to competition after a 21-year break at last year's Diamond anniversary running of the Macau event.
Theodore Racing has been synonymous with the Macau Grand Prix since its founder Teddy Yip, known as "Mr. Macau Grand Prix", first competed as a driver in 1956, and went on to enter or sponsor racing teams until 1992, amassing a record total of six Macau Grand Prix victories. His son, Teddy Jr, revived the team name with SJM last year for what proved to be a triumphant return, as British driver Alex Lynn scored the seventh Macau Grand Prix victory for Theodore.
The trio of SJM Theodore by Prema entries for the 2014 event, which utilize Mercedes-Benz powered Dallara Formula 3 cars, will be driven by Frenchman Esteban Ocon, Antonio Fuoco of Italy and Canada's Nicholas Latifi.
Lotus F1 Junior Team driver Ocon was crowned champion of the FIA European Formula 3 Championship last week, while Fuoco, a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, is fifth overall and Latifi is tenth. They will join a star-studded club: of the 26 drivers who competed at Macau for Theodore from 1978-92, no fewer than 25 went on to become Formula 1 drivers. Four of Theodore's drivers also went on to become future World Champions: Keke Rosberg, Alan Jones, Mika Hakkinen and the legendary Ayrton Senna.
Speaking about the strengthened partnership, Dr. Ambrose So, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SJM, said, "SJM is delighted and honoured to expand sponsorship of the Theodore Racing Team. With a local heritage that parallels SJM, Theodore Racing is a Macau institution with a winning tradition."
Mr. Teddy Yip Jr. said, "We are delighted to return to Macau with our partner SJM. Following on from the Macau GP victory last year we return with an expanded three-car team. My father ran drivers who went on to become F1 World Champions, and I hope in time the drivers we run will do the same. Two of them are already contracted F1 junior drivers and certainly on paper all three of them have the talent to do so."
Adding to the fun and excitement of this city-wide motorsport carnival, SJM is bringing forth a promotion campaign -- SJM "Return of the Champion" Reward to be held at Casino Grand Lisboa, Casino Lisboa and Casino Oceanus in Macau from 17 October until 15 November. Participants will enjoy the chance to win luxurious prizes including an acclaimed Audi A5 Cabriolet in the Grand Final Draw on 16 November 2014 at Casino Oceanus.
Photo: SJM Theodore Racing Car
