MEDIA INFORMATION
At 16 years old Damani Marcano was the youngest driver to have ever completed a full season of the Milltek Sport Volkswagen Racing Cup. Now, having just turned 17, Damani is teaming up once again with The Clever Baggers as he prepares for his 2016 racing season. After a successful first season on the track in 2015 Damani has announced plans to return to the Milltek Sport Volkswagen Racing Cup, along with sponsors The Clever Baggers. The Clever Baggers are not only returning as sponsors but have increased support to make the brand “Title Sponsor” of the Team-HARD. racing driver. With this considerably increased investment The Clever Baggers share the team name on Damani’s race entries with Team HARD.
The sponsorship deal will begin in January to support Damani’s pre-season testing before his first race at Brand’s Hatch on April 16th. The Clever Baggers is a specialist Textile Printing Company that offers a comprehensive collection of branded cotton and canvas goods – particularly branded bags – perfect for company or individual branding opportunities.
Vivian Lacey-Johnson, Managing Director at The Clever Baggers comments: “Having worked with companies for over 20 years on their branding needs we are acutely aware of the power of brand recognition and exposure. It’s with this in mind that we were initially interested in working with Damani and we have been very impressed with his determination, maturity and skill both on and off the track. With a positive 2015 season now complete we’re very excited to up our support and become Damani’s title sponsor. The exposure we have gained so far has been fantastic and we’re confident that Damani will continue to excel with our added support helping him along the way. Bring on the 2016 season!”
Damani made the jump from karting to racing cars in 2015 and 2016 sees him enter the second stage of a three-year driver development programme with Team-HARD. At the time Damani was too young to hold a UK road driving licence. One of the biggest challenges for Damani has been his lack of time and experience behind the wheel, especially as he had never raced a car before April. Despite this he was the youngest driver ever to score points in the opening round of the Volkswagen Racing Cup and achieved top-8 pace in this, among the most fiercely competitive saloon car series in the UK. A key focus for 2016 will be to raise enough sponsorship to increase the amount of time Damani can spend behind the wheel giving him the crucial experience he needs to accelerate his development.
Tony Gilham, Team Principal of Team HARD comments: “We’re very excited to hear that The Clever Baggers are now Damani’s title sponsor and will be supporting him in his second racing season. Racing for Damani is only made possible by the sponsors involved and The Clever Baggers have been invaluable in 2015. This next season for Damani will be key, he’ll work on tactics and improving his race craft, now that he is more comfortable behind the wheel. Damani’s presence is growing both within the motorsports industry but also publicly through press and social media and we feel he’s at the start of a very exciting journey.”
Team HARD racing driver Damani Marcano comments: “I’m really proud to have The Clever Baggers on board as my title sponsor this season, the brand was a huge support last year and I couldn’t have completed the 2015 season without them. With the brand’s increased support, I hope to get more time on the track, improving my racing skills and ultimately begin to move up the scoreboard. I worked hard in 2015 to boost The Clever Baggers brand exposure and I’m going to do even more in 2016.”
To interview Damani or for more information & photography please do get in touch.
Watch Damani deliver a series of overtakes in this video from the final race weekend of the Volkswagen Racing Cup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73ZuzqPBi-k
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Editor’s Notes
Issued on behalf of Damani Marcano by In The Bag PR.
For further information please contact Pippa Gibb on 07970 441 046 or email pippa@inthebagpr.co.uk
Damani piloted a fully race prepared VW Golf GTI R Cup Car in the Volkswagen Racing Cup alongside regular proven and experienced racing drivers. Damani is the only driver in the series who was too young to drive on public roads. Racing in the VW Cup was Damani’s first step on a multi-year programme to eventually race in the British Touring Car Championships (BTCC).
Damani was spotted by Team-HARD. Racing in 2014 and became the youngest driver they had ever signed. Despite being too young to hold a driving license and never having raced a car before he went on to set records in 2015. He became the youngest driver to finish in the points in the first round of a Milltek Sport Volkswagen Racing Cup season. He ended the year in the top-7 on pace, challenging experienced adult drivers who had spent the season leading the championship. As a guest driver in the VAG Trophy, Damani also became the youngest driver to qualify on the front row and obtain fastest lap in a race.
VW Golf GTiR Cup Car: a 260 bhp race-prepared hatch-back capable of speeds of up to 150mph. These cars are based on a road car but stripped of all parts, not essential to racing, and fitted with a safety roll-cage meeting safety regulations of the VW Racing Cup. Additional differences include adjustable racing suspension and racing tyres that increase the amount of grip, and therefore cornering speeds that the car is then capable of.
For more information on The Clever Baggers please see: thecleverbaggers.co.uk/bags-for-business
For more background on Damani, please see: damanimarcano.com/about
You can follow Damani’s journey:
On Twitter (@DKMRacing)
On Facebook (www.facebook.com/DKMRacing)
On YouTube (www.youtube.com/DKMRacingTV)
2015, 2016, A Drive To Drive, Brand Ambassador, Featured, Partnerships, Team-HARD, The Clever Baggers, VAG Trophy, VW Racing Cup, Winter 2015-2016
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