The Mr Rental franchise has recently signed a sponsorship agreement with Australian Ice Racing (AIR), making it a major sponsor of the national ice racing organisation.

The vast majority of AIR’s administrative and management support positions are held by volunteers, leaving most of the funding received by the Australian Sports Commission and any sponsors entirely for athlete development.

“We are very pleased to welcome Mr Rental and their network of enthusiastic franchisees to our family, and their generosity will go a long way in the development of our athletes to place them among the best short track speed skaters on a global stage,” said president of AIR, Jim Hewish.

Mr Rental has made an initial donation, which according to Hewish, will provide much needed funding for the development of the sport in Australia.

Mr Rental’s general manager, Alan Payne said that their involvement with the sport comes at a perfect time, with the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver just around the corner.