Avon Tyres has formalised a deal with British GT Championship organisers SRO, to continue its title sponsorship of the UK’s premier sportscar series for an additional three years, until the end of 2011.

The British tyre marque, owned and manufactured by Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe, completes its existing three-year tenure as supplier and title sponsor of the championship at Donington Park this weekend (Oct 11/12).

Since Avon Tyres took charge of the tyre supply for British GT in 2006, thousands of GT tyres have been raced for more than 120,000 miles, with no problems despite reaching temperatures of up to 120 degrees Celsius every race.

With supercars as diverse as the 2008 championship-winning Dodge Viper, the Porsche GT3RS and the Lamborghini Gallardo taking part, the Avon Tyres crew is looking forward to the challenges provided by British GT for the next three years.

“We have enjoyed the first three years of working with the British GT Championship,” said Cooper Europe managing director, Julian Baldwin. “The mix of cars and their very different handling characteristics really tests our expertise, but so far our crew has risen to the challenge, and they will relish another three seasons of doing so with a field of such high-powered machinery.”

Stephane Ratel, SRO Chairman, promoter of the British GT Championship commented, “Avon Tyres has put a huge effort, both on and off circuit, into making British GT the success it is today. The Championship poses a real challenge to the tyre supplier as performance must be delivered equally across a diverse range of race car machinery; Avon continue to achieve this performance challenge quickly and safely.”

Ratel continued, “They will also continue to invest heavily in marketing and promoting the Championship, allowing motor sport fans across the UK to experience the power, style and glamour of British GT.”

The calendar for the 2009 Avon Tyres British GT Championship will be announced in the coming months.