Western Australian Ben Henry is taking his Superbike career up a gear after striking a major sponsorship deal with national outdoor home improvement specialist Australian Outdoor Living (AOL).

AOL has provided Henry with a $55,000 sponsorship deal that will see his career receive a massive boost for 2011.

Henry, 29, said the sponsorship had helped him to establish his own team Cube Racing, invest in a new truck and give him the resources to approach other riders about racing under his team banner.

“Establishing Cube Racing is something I had been hoping to do for a long time and AOL’s sponsorship means I can make the dream a reality,” he said.

Before he even started racing at 23, Henry had always hoped to start his own Australian Superbike Championship team.

He said that realising sponsorship opportunities helped Superbike as a sport grow and gain recognition among the wider community.

“Superbike is a great sport with so much potential, and it is great companies like AOL who see this,” he said.

AOL managing director Colin Kuchel said he was instantly impressed with Mr Henry’s drive and passion for the sport.

“Ben’s profile is building and we wanted to be a part of his career and Cube Racing,” Mr Kuchel said. “We see Superbike as growing in popularity and a platform from which we can continue to build our national brand.

“Of course the team at AOL are big fans of Superbikes as well.”

Established in 2005 Australian Outdoor Living is a market leader in outdoor lifestyle home improvements, encompassing outdoor blinds, artificial lawn, roller shutters, verandas and pergolas, timber decking and swimming pools.