Sponsored content: When multiple motorsport championship winner, Tom Alexander, was seeking a sponsor to help fund his coming South Island Endurance series campaign, he reached out to BlackBull Markets to see they were interested in getting involved.
Alexander became aware of BlackBull Markets because they offer access to global equities (including Ferrari, Volkswagen, and Ford shares) that are not usually available to New Zealanders, and knew that company CEO, Michael Walker, was a huge motorsport fan as he had run into him several times when racing at Hampton Downs Raceway, south of Auckland.
For Walker, the opportunity to help out Alexander in a sport he personally follows was too good to resist.
“I’ve had an interest in motorsport since my teens, but I never knew the behind-the-scenes economics of the sport.”
“It wasn’t until I started talking in-depth with Tom that I discovered how expensive it can be to put together a team and compete in a professional racing series – it upsets me that young talent is regularly priced out of competing at the highest level.”
Walker says there are several similarities between motorsport and investing which make the two a good fit.
“Both racing and investing require a certain mindset to get the most out of the experience.”
“For both pursuits, it is helpful if you can leverage a penchant for learning continuously, taking calculated chances, and adopting the latest technology – all of which are qualities we see in Tom and embody business-wide at BlackBull Markets.”
BlackBull Markets Marketing Manager, Anita Hayhoe, needed little convincing that investing in Alexander’s career was the right decision.
“As a sportsman, we were aware of his growing profile – Tom’s wins in the Australian SuperUte series in 2018 and 2019 really helped boost his profile with racing fans.”
“He has proven that he has the talent and tenacity to go far in his chosen sport, especially when paired with the right team.”
“We really like Tom as a role model – he is personable and visits the office often, and that follows our mantra of being approachable and professional.”
“From a business perspective, I love the synergy between investing and motorsport. Speed, accuracy, and execution are required to be successful in both domains.”
For the 27-year-old Christchurch-based racer, the sponsorship of BlackBull Markets is a finishing touch to the creation of a competitive team for the four-round endurance series.
“The team’s key members are Anthony Leighs, Andy Neale, Craig Russell, and the crews of Carlyle Performance, Neale Motorsport and BlackBull Markets. Anthony owns the Audi R8 and will be racing by my side in the series. Andy, Craig, Carlyle Performance and Neale Motorsport run a fantastic pit crew and engineering team. BlackBull Markets are my sponsors and constant cheerleaders.”
“Without all of the above, I wouldn’t have this opportunity.”
The 2014 Audi R8 the team drove in the North Island series will be retired for the South Island series.
“The Audi was at a slight disadvantage compared to the competition in terms of horsepower and some other specs. Yet, our team, strategy and talent meant we were among the front-runners in the North Island series. Even so, the Audi is being replaced for the South Island series. With approximately 600 horsepower under the hood, the new vehicle (yet to be revealed) is extremely competitive and we will definitely be looking for more 1st place finishes in the South.”
As a South Island-based racer with a long history of success in everything from Toyota 86 sportscars, single-seaters, and New Zealand Touring cars, Alexander knows the four tracks the series will visit well, but two stand out as favourites.
“Being a Christchurch boy, I’m really looking forward to my home round at Ruapuna to start the series, but Highlands Park (Cromwell) is one of the most iconic and beautiful tracks in the Southern Hemisphere – so I’m really looking forward to both.”
The South Island Endurance Series begins at Ruapuna on September 4, followed by rounds at Teretonga Park (Southland) on September 18, Highlands Park on October 2, and Levels Raceway (Timaru) on October 16.