THE documents reveal more details about the sponsorship agreement signed between John Batchelor and Persimmon for the City chairman's motor-racing team.

The leaked agreement confirms Persimmon agreed to pay £400,000 to sponsor Mr Batchelor's motor-racing team, known as BBi Motorsport, for the 2002, 2003 and 2004 British Touring Car Championships.

The agreement makes no mention that the deal included York City Football Club.

However, when announcing the deal back in March, Mr Batchelor refused to divulge the sums involved but said the sponsorship deal would be shared between both the club and his racing team.

He inferred City would get the larger slice of the money to help the club get on a stable financial footing for the start of this season.

"Where the money goes will depend on where there is the greatest need, but I suppose that will be the football club to offer it stability.

"It is likely it will go to clearing the overdraft at the club (it was then estimated to be around £100,000), we made a commitment to clear this when I took over," he told the Evening Press.

Just last month, the Evening Press confirmed Mr Batchelor had used £100,000 of the Persimmon sponsorship money to help wipe out the club's then overdraft.

The remaining £300,000 was spent on his motor-racing team.

Despite the racing team getting the lion's share of the cash, Mr Batchelor today insisted the deal was a good one for the football club.

"There were a lot of costs attached to taking the club over, " he said.

"The investment of £100,000 cleared the overdraft but then there was the associated legal fees of about £80,000.

"We had to pick up the legal fees for both sides, myself and the football club.

"It worked out that the profit on the motor-racing side was £100,000, which represented what we initially invested.

"It was always going to be of benefit to associate the club with the motor-racing team."

Mr Batchelor confirmed the £100,000 directed to City was only 'loaned' to the football club, and around £70,000 has subsequently been withdrawn to pay for motor-racing activities, including hospitality and tickets.

Mr Batchelor maintains this was legitimate because he was trying to associate York with motor-racing to generate interest and more sponsorship.

For their money, the deal stipulates Persimmon were able to place their logo on Mr Batchelor's racing cars on the front and rear sunstrips and bumpers, both sills, the team's transporter and motor home and on the drivers' and team personnel uniforms.

They were also allowed to have their name and logo printed on all BBi publicity and promotional material and were to receive ten complimentary race tickets at each scheduled race with hospitality.

Under the agreement, Mr Batchelor's motor-racing team is obliged to use "its best endeavours to provide additional media exposure for the company (Persimmon)".

Despite that agreement, in recent weeks Mr Batchelor has criticised Persimmon on regional television over its involvement in the proposed purchase of Bootham Crescent.

Updated: 10:48 Saturday, December 28, 2002