Fortec gets Extran help for 2001.

The vogue for the drinks industry to take an interest in F3000 shows no sign on losing its fizz, as Fortec Motorsport announces a sponsorship deal with the world's largest nutritional company.

The Daventry outfit has teamed up with the Royal Numico NV Group to promote its Extran energy brand in the grand prix support series next season. The product will be advertised on both cars in 2001, as well as being available both in the paddock at all races and from leading motorsport equipment stockist Grand Prix Racewear.

Extran is available in four forms - high carbohydrate energy drink, cereal bar, hypertonic thirst quencher drink mix and high carbohydrate drink mix - and has already been trialled by the team during the pre-season test sessions. Drivers and team members have both reported positive results from the products in the run-up to the announcement of the sponsorship deal.

"We are very happy to have an association with Extran, and to be able to use their products within the extremely competitive industry in which we work," commented Fortec MD David Hayle, "Having tested the products with our drivers, we hope that this is just the beginning of a more involved long-term relationship with the brand, to benefit both parties."

Extran already boasts sales worth ?30million in Europe, and has now decided to enhance its profile through motorsport for the first time next season.

"We have decided to use F3000 and, especially, Fortec Motorsport to introduce Extran to the UK," revealed brand representative Ray Kershberg, "Motor racing is a high profile sport, and this gives us an ideal opportunity to market out unique product to professional sportsmen, sportswomen and the general public."

The FIA F3000 season begins at Interlagos in Brazil next March.