Smiths Signs and Guernsey Tri Club Have New Wheels

James Qualtrough | January 7, 2013 | 0 Comments

L-R: Dan Smith (director at Smith Signs), John Picton (employee at Smith Signs and longstanding Guernsey Triathlon Club member) and Mark Naftel (President of the Guernsey Triathlon Club)

The Guernsey Triathlon Club, in partnership with Smith Signs, recently purchased a van in a joint venture which will assist both organisations.

The triathlon club, which has been established for 25 years, has a long-standing relationship with Smith Signs director, Dan Smith and the idea evolved some months ago to share a vehicle.

The van, a Fiat Scudo, will be used by the club at weekends at its Triathlon and Duathlon events to transport its transition and course marking equipment to various race venues, while Smith Signs will use it to go about its usual course of business during the week.

In a new five-year sponsorship agreement with the Triathlon Club, Smith Signs has agreed to meet all the running, servicing and insurance costs on the new van which will also provide a mobile advertising hoarding for both the club and the company. The club’s race equipment has also found a permanent new home in the sign company’s warehouse.

Club President Mark Naftel commented: “Our treasurer came up with the idea and we soon realised what a great asset this would be for both the club and to Smith Signs.

“The club had been thinking about acquiring a vehicle for some time but knew it would be redundant for the majority of the week. Fortunately for us, Smith Signs were very keen on the idea to share a vehicle and it would put the van to good use during the week.

The added bonus for the club is that Smith Signs is a dab hand on the design front and we are extremely happy with the end result of how the van looks. We are very thankful to Dan for his assistance in this joint project and how his team’s handiwork advertises both the club and Smith Signs in a very professional and unique way. The additional sponsorship and housing of our race equipment is an exciting new phase in the development of our sport in Guernsey.”

Mr Smith added: “I am delighted to be involved and am truly flattered to have been approached. The Guernsey Triathlon Club is a highly motivated and forward thinking organisation. This van will help to promote Smith Signs with all of the inherent energy and enthusiasm that triathlon has to offer. I love it, game on!”

Mr Naftel wished to thank the Guernsey Triathlon Club’s sponsors the Ana Leaf Foundation for its on-going financial support.

The Club’s race calendar is now finalised for the forthcoming year and can be found at www.guernseytriathlon.com. The first Duathlon in the series takes place at Portelet, Pleinmont on 13 January 2013 and starts at 8am sharp. The distances are a 2 mile run, 8 mile bike finishing with a 2 mile run.