Playboy backs Randy de Puniet

Playboy will sponsor French rider Randy de Puniet’s LCR Honda MotoGP squad for the first three races of 2009.

Italian team boss Lucio Cecchinello confirmed the deal today on the eve of the final winter test session of the season in Jerez.

With negotiations on-going for other races during the season, de Puniet’s RC212V will carry the famous Playboy bunny logo for the first three races in Qatar, Japan and Jerez.

For the Twin Ring Motegi and Jerez races, Playboy will be title sponsors.

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 who were part of Hugh Hefner’s 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 re-launching 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.”

We can’t wait to see the grid girls!