Norton 360 Race Start of New Chapter in Sandown History

Bookmark & Share

Delicious

Tumblr

SYDNEY, Australia – July 21, 2009 – Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC), makers of Norton security software, says this month’s Norton 360 Sandown Challenge V8 Supercar event will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the long and glorious history of touring car racing at the Melbourne circuit.

The event will comprise a 100 kilometre Saturday race and 200 kilometre Sunday race - rounds 13 and 14 of the 2009 V8 Supercar Championship - adding to the rich 45-year history of sprint and endurance-length touring car races at the famous Melbourne circuit.

“Sandown's format may have switched between endurance and sprint races, but the quest for ever greater speed and performance has been a constant," says Symantec Australia’s head of consumer sales, Matthew Drake.

The late Peter Brock won a record nine Sandown endurance races for Holden, including a remarkable streak of seven victories in a row between 1975 and 1981. His friend and arch-rival, Ford and Mazda touring car legend Allan Moffat, won six Sandown endurance races between 1969 and 1988, as well as numerous sprint races at the Melbourne track.

“Sandown was always a challenge because of the high-speed nature of the track – it kept us on our toes,” said Moffat.

“Racing at Sandown was always a big occasion and I have great memories of racing past that packed grandstand filled with cheering fans.”

Four-time Sandown enduro winner and Norton Internet Safety Ambassador Craig Lowndes says the Melbourne track remains one of the most enjoyable and challenging circuits in Australia.

“The long front and back straights mean you reach very high speeds and you have to be really committed over the top at the Dandenong Road hill and through the esses to string together a quick lap,” said Lowndes.

Symantec says new spectator attractions will help to re-establish the Melbourne race as a major event on the V8 championship calendar.

“Our aim this year is to build on the prestige of the Sandown race and use it as a strong platform to raise community awareness of the need for greater Internet safety and security,” said Matthew Drake.

"Just like V8 Supercar fans, Symantec has a passion for speed, performance and safety through the products we develop.”

As an added attraction for race-goers, Symantec will give them the chance to compete in their own event – a remote-controlled (RC) car race around a miniature version of the Sandown track.

Each day, the overall winner of the Mini Norton 360 Sandown Challenge will receive a replica of the real V8 race trophy which has been framed and autographed by current V8 Supercar drivers.

Symantec will also be handing out 15,000 copies of Norton 360 Internet security trialware to race goers and giving spectators the opportunity to win other prizes.

The Norton 360 Sandown Challenge will be held at Sandown Raceway between July 31-August 2.

About Norton From Symantec
Symantec’s Norton products protect consumers from traditional threats with antivirus, anti-spyware and phishing protection, as well as bots, drive-by downloads and identity theft-- while also being light on system resources. The company also provides services such as online backup and PC tuneup, and is a trusted source for family online safety.

About Symantec
Symantec is a global leader in providing security, storage and systems management solutions to help consumers and organisations secure and manage their information-driven world. Our software and services protect against more risks at more points, more completely and efficiently, enabling confidence wherever information is used or stored. More information is available at www.symantec.com.

Image

Motorsport legend and past Sandown winner, Allan Moffat