Laser Plumbing and Electrical have been announced as the new primary sponsor for the BMW Team SRM M6 GT3 for the final two events of the Australian GT Championship, to be held in New Zealand.
Like Richards himself, Laser Plumbing and Electrical is a New Zealand success story. The group will back Auckland-born motor racing star Steve Richards and his factory-supported BMW M6 GT3 for the upcoming races at Hampton Downs and Highlands Park.
The deal is an extension of an existing relationship between Laser Group and Richards, with the four-time Bathurst winner campaigning a Laser-backed entry in the Australian Carrera Cup series.
The Laser Group story began with Peter Bassett and David Clemmett founding Laser Electrical Ltd, which went on to become one of Auckland's largest electrical contracting companies. The Laser business model was then developed and licensed in 1999, before evolving into a full membership business model in 2003.
Expansion into Australia followed in 2004, Laser Group Australia now having more than 140 electrical and plumbing companies representing the Laser Brand with a combined 240 members currently throughout Australia & New Zealand.
“As someone who was born in New Zealand, it’s an honour to have the support of a company that really is a New Zealand success story,” said Richards.
“To have this opportunity to build on the successful relationship I have with Laser Group is fantastic, and the idea of racing a Laser-backed BMW M6 GT3 in New Zealand, where it all started for both myself and the company, is great.”
"We're really excited to have Steve Richards here in New Zealand, racing his BMW M6 GT3 under both the Laser Plumbing and Electrical and the BMW banners,” added Scott Carr, General Manager of the Laser Group (NZ).
“We're also looking forward to seeing the Australian GT Championship expand into New Zealand, and are proud to further our continued partnership with Steve Richards Motorsport.”
Richards and the Laser-backed BMW Team SRM M6 GT3 will kick-start the New Zealand swing with the penultimate round of the Australian Endurance Championship at Hampton Downs this weekend, before competing in the joint Australian Endurance Championship/Australian GT Championship round at Highlands Motorsport Park a fortnight later.