Preston Hire will continue its naming rights sponsorship deal with Charlie Schwerkolt’s Team 18 next season.

Schwerkolt picked up primary Preston Hire backing for the 2015 Pirtek Enduro Cup when his entry was being run out of Walkinshaw Racing.

The sponsor stepped up its commitment for Team 18’s transition to a standalone outfit this year, where Schwerkolt has been running ex-Triple Eight equipment out of his own Melbourne workshop.

The new deal with Preston Hire follows Schwerkolt’s pre-Bathurst confirmation of a fresh two-year contract with driver Lee Holdsworth.

Team 18’s season was blighted by Holdsworth’s accident at Hidden Valley in June that sidelined the 33-year-old for three events.

The squad drafted in Dunlop Series driver Kurt Kostecki and his own ex-Triple Eight Holden for two events before debuting a brand new car of its own at Sydney Motorsport Park in August.

Holdsworth made a solid return alongside co-driver Karl Reindler at Sandown, but the duo lasted just two laps at Bathurst before engine problems triggered an early retirement.

Excited to secure Preston Hire, Schwerkolt is hoping for a smoother 2017 season.

“Preston Hire has been with my team for over two years now and has given our team incredible support and been an amazing naming rights partner,” said Schwerkolt.

“Whilst its been a very challenging first year as a solo team, Preston Hire have proudly stood alongside us all the way.

“The team has been fortunate to lock away our driver Lee Holdsworth for a further two years, our naming rights partner for another year, a new car, and combined with our amazing staff and all our other partners, we are looking forward to some exciting and successful times ahead.”