Friday March 3rd, 2000

Arrows have signed a 70 million pound ($110.5 million) contract with British mobile phone operator Orange and their Formula One cars will race this season in a totally orange livery.

The three-year deal was initiated only three days ago when Orange called Arrows chairman Tom Walkinshaw on the slopes of the French Alps.

"It enables us to do a lot more research and development," said Walkinshaw, who plans to lift Arrows into the top five of the constructors' championship this season from ninth last year.

Orange chief executive Hans Snook said the deal eclipsed the 30 million pounds ($47.36 million) Vodafone Airtouch Plc paid recently to sponsor Manchester United.

He said Formula One's global audience of 50 billion would help the company build its international brand.

British bookmaker Coral said on Friday its Eurobet unit would be lead sponsor of the Arrows team for two years. No financial details were available.

The UK-based racing team postponed the introduction of their new Supertec A21 car last month, pending sponsorship arrangements.

Arrows said international new media group Lost Boys would also sponsor the team, which consists of Dutch driver Jos Verstappen and Spain's Pedro de la Rosa.

As part of the sponsorship deal, the company - named after the friends of Peter Pan who never wanted to grow up - will develop a complete new website for the team, who kick off their season on March 12 with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.