The LCR Honda team revealed Playboy to be their new primary sponsor at selected MotoGP 2009 rounds. This is a significant sponsor to secure in such unpredictable economic times – especially for a team who have consistently been performing well in practice and qualifying sessions, but falling way short on race day and getting little TV time (except when Randy falls off).

The initial deal states that the famous Playboy bunny logo on LCR’s RC212V will feature at this weekend’s Jerez test and then rounds two and three of the world championship, at Motegi (Japan) and back at Jerez (Spain). Playboy will not to be present at the Qatar season-opener on April 12. It is understood that if Playboy are happy then there is scope to extend the deal for further rounds.

Lucio Cecchinello said:
“We have been in touch with Playboy US for a long time and, taking advantage of the opportunity given by the presence of some American top executives part of Hugh Hefner entourage during his latest visit to Europe, we have defined the guidelines of a project allowing us to start negotiations with some of this evergreen brand’s global licensees.

“Playboy Italy has positively assessed the project and confirmed the sponsorship for the early stage of the season linking it to their activities in the view of relaunching the magazine in Italy. Currently, there are further ongoing negotiations with licensees in more countries, who have been presented with our ‘projects by event’ concept, which does not imply any millionaire investments”.

Alessandro Ferri (Director of Playboy Italy) said:
“We are really pleased to have signed this sponsorship agreement. The women-motors pair has always been a winning pair for our readership and we are glad to offer it to our readers together with LCR Honda Team”.

Promotional Images of LCR Honda and Playboy livery:

Randy de Puniet trying to look sultry in his new Playboy leathers (better than racing in a Hefner style smoking jacket):

Randy de Puniet getting into the spirit of the photoshoot a little too much

Randy de Puniet joins in and gets his ‘tits out’ as well

Playboy obviously want to asscociate themselves with a MotoGP team to bring their brand closer to the sense of excitement and danger associated with motorcycle racing. Male viewers will feel thrilled, and slightly inferior watching Randy de Puniet surrounded by his Playboy brolly girls. An urge will take over and drive male viewers to rush out to buy Playboy so they can feel more of a complete man, just like Randy de Puniet………or maybe not.

(Randy at Valencia)

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