Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, today announced a new partnership with V8 Supercars to become the official international airline for the thriving sport.

Etihad Airways’ General Manager Australia and New Zealand, Lindsay White, V8 Supercars Chairman, Tony Cochrane, 2010 Championship Winner and Holden Racing Team’s James Courtney and Ford Performance Racing’s Mark Winterbottom announced the new partnership at a special airside ceremony at Sydney’s International Airport today. V8 Supercars now has pride of place in Etihad’s partnership and sponsorship portfolio alongside English Premier League side Manchester City Football Club; the Harlequin Premiership rugby union team; the 2011 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix; Yas Marina Circuit; and Etihad Stadium, the Australian city of Melbourne’s premier sports and entertainment complex.

V8 Supercars Chairman Tony Cochrane said, “V8 Supercars is very pleased to announce Etihad Airways as our official international airline partner. It is the first airline partner for our sport and we believe it is a fitting partnership between a world-class operator and a world-class sport. Cochrane continued, “Earlier this year approximately 500 V8 Supercars personnel flew to Abu Dhabi on-board Etihad flights for the Yas Marina V8 400 and our experience was second to none. We look forward to V8 Supercar fans being given access to exclusive deals and offers as a result of our new partnership with the airline.” V8 Supercars was recently given international status by the FIA, the governing body of world motor sports, which means it can extend to another five destinations outside Abu Dhabi, Australia and New Zealand. In this context, Etihad’s partnership matches the huge growth potential and future international destinations of the sport. Globally, Etihad’s partnership with V8 Supercars will be highlighted through signage and promotions at select V8 Supercar events and content on Etihad’s in-flight entertainment system. In the coming weeks, V8 Supercars’ website will also carry links to special offers on Etihad Airways flights around the world.