KEY POINTS:
Sportswear company Line 7 has moved beyond sailing on to the race track, taking up the merchandising licence for A1 motorsport and its New Zealand team.
The team have performed well on the global A1 Grand Prix racing circuit. They finished fourth last season and are currently in fifth place.
Line 7 said this week it had taken over the merchandising rights for A1 and replicas of the gear used by the Team New Zealand franchise.
Line 7 has a strong association with sailing through its ties with New Zealand America's Cup campaigns.
The new deal gives the local clothing company the rights to produce A1 fanwear globally and to be the on-site retailer at the Taupo Grand Prix next month.
Line 7 chief executive Ross Munro said he initially agreed to produce a small amount of merchandise for A1 Team New Zealand. But after attending meetings on the world circuit, he saw an opportunity for merchandise across the entire contingent of 21 racing countries.
The licence includes a global e-commerce agreement that will be linked from the A1 official website to Line 7 to manage global web sales. The site has gone live, with all sales shipped from New Zealand to the rest of the world.
Munro said he had gone cautiously into the new area but was encouraged by his friend Colin Giltrap, the owner of the New Zealand franchise.
Munro said the company generated over $4 million in online sales, mainly of Team New Zealand gear, with 90 per cent of the sales going overseas. "We've had the gear available at each of the Grand Prix events this year and have seen how devoted these fans are.
"A1 allows fans to have a passion for motorsport and for your country."
