BJR secures BOC sponsorship for Konica series.

BOC, one of the names most closely associated with motorsport in the 1990s has re-entered Australia's premier motorsport category, the V8 Supercars, by signing on as naming rights sponsor of Brad Jones Racing's 2004 Konica Minolta campaign.

The outfit, spearheaded by young gun driver Andrew Jones, will be known as Team BOC and will compete in BJR's AU Falcon, which sat on the front row at Bathurst in 2002.

"We are stoked that BOC has decided to join us for the year," Jones Jr said, "We were confident that they would continue after backing us for the first round but, now it's official, we can fully concentrate on winning the championship."

BOC was previously involved in Australian motorsport as naming rights sponsor of the Australian Super Touring Championship, and started its team relationship with former multiple super touring champion Brad Jones.

"When Kim [Jones] and I were racing the factory Audis in Super Tourers, we met some of the BOC executive team and the relationship has been very strong ever since," Jones explained, "It's just fantastic that they have decided to partner with us and we're looking forward to working with them in 2004."

BOC's managing director of industrial and special products for the company's South Pacific region, Graham Smith, said that the partnership would target core industrial markets, but would also be heavily weighted towards BOC's highly successful retail arm - BOC Gas & Gear stores.

"We're delighted to be joining Brad Jones Racing as a major partner and be a part of the Konica Minolta series for 2004," Smith said, "Andrew will visit a number of our Gas & Gear stores around the country in conjunction with retail promotional activity. We wish the team all the best for its 2004 campaign, especially now it's flying with the BOC colours."

Parker Hannifin, through its ENZED operations, has been a key supporter of BJR for three years. The company has also announced a major associate sponsorship of Andrew Jones' 2004 campaign, joining Sime Tyres. Parker Hannifin recently signed a strategic alliance with BOC, which will see the two companies come together on more than just the race track.

"For years now, BOC and Parker Hannifin have individually set the industry standards and led the field in new technologies and product development," commented marketing manager Matthew Gray, "We believe our common strengths will allow us to further push the boundaries, and, again, deliver more than expected. In business and in play, we are very pleased to align ourselves with the BOC and BJR teams."

Team BOC hits the track this weekend for round two of the Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Championship, joining their big brothers at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide. After qualifying on pole position and winning race three in the opening round, Andrew Jones will be out to repay the faith shown by his new sponsors.