OMG Racing lands controversial ex-F1 team sponsor Rich Energy

OMG Racing has inked a deal with controversial energy drinks company Rich Energy for the 2020 British Superbike Championship just months after it was embroiled in a high profile spat with the F1 team it sponsored.

Rich Energy, owned by William Storey, was announced as the title backer for the Haas F1 team last year but the two parties split midway through the 2019 season over what the company claimed was the team’s poor performance relative to ‘rivals’ on and off the track, Red Bull.

Nonetheless, the distinctive black and gold livery is back for 2020 in the two-wheel arena with the BSB squad – re-branded Rich Energy OMG Racing – which will enter a pair of BMW S1000RRs for Hector Barbera and Luke Mossey. The team will also compete on the roads for the first time this year with James Hillier and David Johnson.

“We are well aware of the previous controversy linked to Rich Energy; however, William Storey and the team at Rich Energy have been very transparent in their business dealings, to give us full confidence in our partnership to move ahead,” team owners Alex Gardner said.

“We have always put our fans at the forefront of our plans, and this link gives us the opportunity to increase the amount we invest into new opportunities for our supporters to enhance their racing experience and build new audiences. The partnership also includes long-term commitments to develop both the OMG and Rich Energy brands as key supporters of British motorsport talent.”

Indeed, OMG Racing insists it has undertaken due diligence following the controversy surrounding Rich Energy, in particular Storey, who in the wake of the Haas split took to Rich’s social media accounts to troll it.

As such, OMG – in a savvy piece of tongue-in-cheek marketing – has published its own Q&A in an effort to see off any questions about Storey himself and even the availability of a drink that few claim to have ever seen on sale…

Here it is in full…

Q: WHY ON EARTH HAVE OMG RACING SIGNED A DEAL WITH RICH ENERGY? HAVE THEY NOT LOOKED AT THE INTERNET?

A: Rich Energy have been a little ‘eccentric’ in the past on social media. But at the same time, we’ve made a seriously loud noise since appearing on the scene – like OMG. They are loud and aren’t afraid to look a bit daft at times by doing things differently, like us. Together we are all about pushing sport to the next level.

Q: BUT YOU CAN’T EVEN BUY A BL**DY CAN!?

A: You can now, we’re distributing it right here – [you can now] pre-order and as soon as we’re ready to get moving, you’ll be the first to know:

Q: CAN BUY RICH ENERGY FROM OMG RACING?

A: Yes, you can. In fact they’re so convinced that it’s a good product, we’ll have some free samples for you this year. So you’ll be able to try some for yourself!

Q: WHAT ABOUT THE RUMOURS THAT RICH ENERGY HAVEN’T PAID TEAMS/ATHLETES IN THE PAST, WHAT’S NEW HERE?

A: Not only are OMG Racing fully funded for the 2020 season and beyond, we are also ensuring that Rich Energy’s existing sponsorship agreements are fully paid.

Q: DIDN’T YOU FALL OUT WITH HAAS F1!

A: Haas’ statement seems pretty amicable to us.

Q: IS HE STILL INVOLVED? WHAT’S THE DEAL?

A: Yes HE is, given that William Storey is the CEO of Rich Energy. The enigmatic figurehead definitely gives us plenty of content. He’s a big bike fan, and with a beard like that, we can’t exactly disguise him. So yes, he’ll be around. We were thinking a milk float for a paddock scooter…

Q: SO WHERE WILL I BE ABLE TO SEE RICH ENERGY OMG RACING IN 2020?

A: Rich Energy will be the title sponsor across all racing activities, so that’s British Superbikes, Northwest 200 and the legendary Isle of Man TT. It’s going to be a busy year.

Fair play…