Pirelli And Webber Join Forces In Support Of Health And Environmental Causes

MILAN, ITALY – March 23, 2011: Pirelli is getting the Australian Grand Prix underway with a charitable initiative to benefit the Mark Webber Challenge Foundation. The charity was set up by the Red Bull star to fund research into leukemia through using adventure sport as a fundraiser, as well as to contribute to the protection of the Tasmanian Devil: an endangered species that is the symbol of the island state.

At a ceremony in Tasmania’s capital of Hobart yesterday, which was attended by Webber and representatives of the Tasmanian government, Pirelli announced its backing of the Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge as a major partner. This is consistent with the Pirelli Group’s policy of social responsibility throughout all the communities in which it operates, via its local subsidiaries. Pirelli Tyre Australia will support the Mark Webber Challenge this year with financial and logistical contributions.

Webber said: “It’s great to have a sponsor of the calibre of Pirelli. This is definitely going to raise the profile of the Challenge and help us to raise more money from companies who want to show that they are also willing to help.”

Pirelli Tyres Australia Managing Director, Alessandro Marchi added: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Mark Webber Challenge in the year that Pirelli is making its return to Formula One as official supplier from 2011-2013, starting from the Australian Grand Prix this very weekend. This partnership is a natural fit for us, consistent with our company policy that takes its responsibility to others and the natural environment extremely seriously.”

The Mark Webber Challenge, created by the Formula One driver in 2006, has so far raised more than a million Australian dollars for charities such as the Leukemia Foundation and Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal.

Following a two-year break, this year’s event will be held in Tasmania on December 7-11 and welcomes elite, celebrity and amateur participants competing in mountain biking, trail running and kayaking. New sports for the 2011 event may include white water rafting, caving and ropes courses, through Tasmania’s stunning countryside.

Event organiser Sean Nicholls of Octagon said that Mark Webber hopes the new Challenge will create even more opportunities to raise funds for charity, while highlighting the beauty of Tasmania’s remarkable wilderness and creating a unique experience for competitors, volunteers and spectators.

“Thanks to the support from major organisations such as Pirelli Tyre Australia, the Mark Webber Challenge will burst back onto the extreme sport scene bigger and better than ever in 2011,” commented Nicholls.

Pirelli has a long tradition of taking part in community projects all over the world, contributing to education, health and research. Pirelli Australia is especially active in social projects, recently donating $1 for every tyre sold throughout the month of February to Queensland Premier’s Flood Relief Fund.