THE motor racing team sponsored by Warrington-based CCTV specialist AD Group is to step up a gear after signing a new partnership deal with car manufacturer Mazda and race engine specialists AER.

AD is the main sponsor of the RML team at the famous Le Mans 24 Hour race in France, and chief executive Mike Newton regularly competes at the event.

RML had been partnered with British car manufacturer MG but says the new Mazda deal, which starts in 2009, will lead the team into a new era.

Mr Newton said: “We had six enormously successful years with MG branding on the car.

“We’re very proud of our achievements, and also for having kept the flag flying so prominently for MG throughout that period.

“Ultimately, however, the funding from MG that we expected in 2008 never materialised. I shall be very sad to sever our links with such an historic British name.

“We’re confident the advances made with the Mazda engine will allow us to move forward next season,’’ Mr Newton added.

‘‘Ultimately, we’ve struck a good deal that offers us an extremely competitive engine.”