LKQ Leisure and Marine becomes official supplier to Clipper Race
From left: Ashley Merriman, LKQ head of channel; Greg North, Clipper head of maintenance; Chris Rushton, Clipper managing director; Daniel Taylor, LKQ regional account manager; Kate Ashley, Clipper head of partnerships. Image courtesy of Imagecomms.
LKQ Leisure and Marine has announced it has become the newest addition to the global supply network, which underpins the Clipper Race. That’s no easy task, as Clipper’s 70 yachts are ready to set sail in Portsmouth on 31 August 2025, for the 40,000 nautical mile route.
It takes thousands of parts and systems to keep the high-performance fleet flying, from winches and wiring to pumps and power management.
Newly minted as an official supplier, LKQ Leisure and Marine brings together trusted marine brands, LKQ Aquafax (a trade-only distributor) and ASAP Supplies, which serves the retail market. Together, Aquafax and ASAP Supplies will not only supply products but also provide technical expertise and hands-on support to help keep the fleet performing at its best.
“For over 20 years, we’ve enjoyed a strong relationship with LKQ Leisure and Marine, who have supplied us with a wide range of marine equipment for our vessels across many circumnavigations,” says Greg North, head of fleet maintenance at Clipper Ventures.
“Not only have we benefited from reliable supply times, but the technical support we’ve received has been key in ensuring our fleet is ready to sail to schedule. For the maintenance team, having confidence in the timely supply of components is essential, and we’re pleased to welcome LKQ Leisure and Marine on board as an official supplier.”
In the lead-up to each race edition, the Clipper Race fleet undergoes a complete refit that requires a steady supply of specialised components. Once racing begins, North’s maintenance team must remain agile in responding to the evolving needs of each yacht and coordinating deliveries of parts to global stopover destinations. The speed, reliability, and availability of LKQ Leisure and Marine’s product range help the team ensure all vessels remain in peak condition throughout the eleven months of racing.
“We’re proud to partner with the Clipper Race, a globally recognised event that reflects the same spirit of endurance, innovation, and teamwork that drives us at LKQ Leisure and Marine,” says Ashley Merriman, head of channel (marine) at LKQ Leisure and Marine. “This collaboration allows us to connect with the sailing community in a truly authentic way, while showcasing products built to perform in real-world conditions. We look forward to creating impactful stories together through this exciting partnership.”
The partnership will also support LKQ UK and Ireland’s broader commitment to sustainability. With company initiatives including reducing & recycling packaging, as well as working with responsible suppliers, the firm says sustainability is embedded in its strategy.
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race was founded by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in 1995 and is the only race of its kind where people from all walks of life can train to become ocean racers. After completing four stages of intensive training, participants join one or multiple race legs or the full 40,000 nautical mile circumnavigation.
The fleet of Clipper 70 yachts makes six ocean crossings during its route, including the North Pacific, making the Clipper Race the only global yacht race to cross this ocean. The race visits 14 ports around the world, with confirmed destinations on the 2025-26 route including Portsmouth (UK), Cape Town (South Africa), Qingdao (China), Tongyeong City (South Korea), Seattle (USA), and Oban (Scotland).
Applications remain open for the Clipper 2025-26 Race.
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