Wheels of fortune boost coffee firm

Cooper's Coffee, which is based on the edge of Huddersfield, has returned to the sport after a nine-year break with Map Centurion Triumph Racing.

The new factory-backed race team, set up by Dave Fairbrother of Tech 2 Racing and Paul Rees of Centurion Racing, has signed up for three of Cooper's filter coffee machines as well as its Pure Java Filter Coffee for all their corporate hospitality events.

Cooper's, which supplies coffee to about 800 outlets already, including a hair salon and a car showroom, was first involved with the sport when David Cooper, the managing director, headed a Ducati Superbike team in 2001.

He said: "Motorbike racing is one of my passions and, since my involvement nine years ago, I have remained an avid watcher of the sport. It's great to be involved again."

John Cooper, hospitality manager of Map Centuron – and no relation to David Cooper – decided to take on the coffee after a recommendation from Eventmaker Hospitality, which caters for some of the top teams in the BSB paddock.

Mr Cooper said: "If the riders' results reflect the standard of the coffee we will be very happy."

Mr Rees, a former Royal Marine commando, set up Centurion Racing in 2006, and the team quickly won two consecutive Supersport Cup Championships, and achieved fifth in the overall Supersport Championship with Dan Cooper, son of John, in 2009.