More Than A Race

The 2007 Aerobatic World Champion, Ramon Alonso, is set to thrill SF race fans by performing aerobatic displays three times over each Superleague Formula weekend – once on Saturday and twice on raceday.

Alonso is just a part of the full programme of fan activities (organised around a Central Stage area) on SF race weekends, aimed at providing a large range of family entertainment, including DJs, break-dancers, freestyle football displays, face-painters and prize-giving.

Fans will also be able to take the opportunity to have their photograph taken with team show cars, and to meet the drivers for autograph sessions, too.

Additional entertainment will include a Motorcycle Stunt-Show (featuring World Champion Streetbike Freestylers Chris Pfeiffer), Paramotors (six pilots performing beautifully coordinated flights aboard SF-branded paragliders, using pyrotechnic effects),

There will be a ‘Football Zone’ with giant human football table, penalty shoot-outs, radar shoot outs, XXL table football unit, a Karting Zone (with brand new 200cc karts) and special interactives that help to improve reaction, hand-eye coordination and stamina – just like SF drivers.

“Our plan from the start was to establish Superleague Formula as more than just a motor race – we want to provide an extensive array of entertainment options for the entire family,” says SF boss, Alex Andreu. “We think we have a great line up of entertainment – both on the ground and in the skies above.

“Superleague Formula will bring a host of new fans to the track who have never been to a motorsport event before and our goal is to be able to provide them with an excellent experience.”

Street Sensation

For those who missed our previous post, here are some more pictures from the streets of Eindhoven where the Superleague Formula prototype was unleashed last weekend at the ‘Pole Position in Technology’ event.

More than 50,000 Dutch football supporters and motorsports fans were thrilled with the noise and spectacle of the 750 horsepower, V-12 powered prototype machine.

The car was taken out for two demo runs with test driver Bruce Jouanny entertaining the crowd with a number of smoke-billowing burn-outs and a spectacular donut.

“The crowd had an amazing day… and the Superleague Formula prototype really stole the show,” says SF boss, Alex Andreu. “They really went crazy for it – with the amount of noise they were making, I thought we were at a football match. Bruce did a brilliant job in the car – I think he picked out the most enthusiastic fans to perform his burn-outs and donuts in front of.

“I don’t know whether the clutch had such a great time, but the crowd certainly enjoyed it! If get this kind of reaction today – imagine what it is going to be like when we have a full field of V12 cars hitting the track.”

Al Ain Launch Success

Here are some images from last night’s official unveiling of Al Ain’s Superleague Formula car at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium, including (L-R above) SF’s Alex Andreu; H.E.Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Al Ain Club; Middle East Rally star Mohammed Bin Sulayem.

Over 3,000 purple, white and red balloons flew into the strong desert wind of Al Ain, followed by a firework show, which certainly added a new twist to the launch!

While all the fans were dressed in white (which we’re not really used to in Europe or S America), the passion is as strong here in the UAE as anywhere else.

Many thanks to the many kind people that we’ve met in Abu Dhabi, and to everyone at Al Ain for helping us to make this launch a great success… and we look forward to seeing you again in August!

World Exclusive: SF Car In Action

At long last, here is the Superleague Formula prototype in action at Donington Park.

It’s been a long and winding road to get to this point, but we’ve made it thanks to the teamwork of Elan/Panoz, MCT, Hewland, Pi, HiTech… and, of course, Alex and Robin at SF.

Now the hard work begins in earnest, and for the thousands of you who’ve been dreaming about the sound of the V12 engine… come on, feel the noise!!!

Playteam Take Pole for Galatasaray

Galatasaray’s race team, Playteam, is leaving no stone unturned in preparation for a successful first season, having graduated to Superleague Formula from major international and domestic GT championships around the world.

Having hired ex-Minardi and Toro Rosso Formula 1 technical chief Gabriele Tredozi as its new Technical Director, Playteam are looking to challenge for immediate honours. “Playteam are certainly putting in a very significant effort to ensure they can challenge for the front of the pack,” says SF’s Alex Andreu.

Team owner and founder, Giambattista Giannoccaro (above) made his team’s objectives clear at yesterday’s launch: “We are working on producing a high level racing and entertainment package for spectators around the world.

“I’m sure the Galatasaray SK fans will follow the launch of our [Superleague Formula] team closely, and hopefully cheer for us this week during the car’s unveiling at the club’s home ground, and later in the year when the season gets underway.”

Passion

After our trip to Corinthians last weekend (see film above), the prototype testing in the UK and now the Galatasaray launch today, it’s a manic time for everyone involved at SF.

However, as boss Alex Andreu points out, it’s also been remarkably rewarding: “Wherever we’ve been, the passion that fans have for their clubs confirm the outstanding potential for our championship. That passion is a truly global phenomenon and, at every launch, the fans are so excited to see their car.”

More news on the press conference at Galatasary coming up soon…

Destination Galatasaray

Today, Superleague Formula is in Istanbul for its most spectacular launch to date, with the red and yellow Galatasaray SK car set to be unveiled on the club’s very own island – situated in the middle of the Bosphorus river in Istanbul between the continents of Europe and Asia.

The club’s 750 horsepower, V12-powered machine will be revealed to the Turkish media and club supporters by club president, Ozhan Canaydin and manager Karl Heinz Feldkamp – along with the entire Galatasaray SK squad.

SF boss, Alex Andreu, believes Galatasaray’s entry into Superleague Formula could become one of the most popular teams in the competition: “The fan and media reaction from Istanbul has been incredibly strong,” says Alex. “We have had the chance to see and hear the Superleague Formula prototype in action for the first time this week in testing in the UK and I can assure the Galatasaray fans – they are going to love the sight and sound of their colours on the track.

“The Orient Express used to arrive in Istanbul from Paris – now I think Galatasaray’s Superleague Formula car could earn the same nickname. We are also proud and very thankful to the club for arranging such a spectacular setting for our launch – spanning two continents is a unique moment for our championship.”

We’ll have all the images from the launch as soon as possible, so stay tuned…

Rise of the SF Machine

Just got back from Donington Park, where the prototype testing continues apace, with much excitement from everyone involved. The sound of the V12 engine is something to savour or, as one on-looker put it, “it sounds very naughty!”.

After the last few years of blood, sweat and tears, it’s quite emotional to see the hard work begin… just begin… to pay off. Robin and Alex are particularly happy with the way things are going, looking on the proceedings like proud fathers.

In addition to all the engineers from HiTech, MCT, Panoz, et al, the SF film crew also had the opportunity to film Bruce drive the car today, so we’ll be able to upload lots of exclusive footage – and V12 soundtrack – tomorrow…

The Beautiful Race (Within A Race)

Following the reveal of the car to the media on Friday, we took the Corinthians car out into Sao Paulo yesterday… as you can see from the pictures on Paulista Avenue (above) and outside the Theatro Municipal (below)!

Also nice to see all the positive press following the launch… it’s pretty clear that there’s going to be a real derby atmosphere between the two Brazilian clubs at every race!

“Our launch at Flamengo demonstrated the passion for [SF] in this part of the world, and we quickly realised it was vital to include both a Rio and São Paulo club in the series,” says SF boss, Alex Andreu.

“The mix of football and motorsport is perfect for São Paulo and I believe our two Brazilian clubs are going to be two of the most heavily supported in our championship.

“We will have a race within the race as the far as Brazilian fans are concerned. The inter-country rivalry will be enormous in Brazil and I am sure our friends at Corinthians will be doing their utmost to topple their Rio rivals – and vice versa.”

The stage is now set to meet the Corinthians fans at the derby match against Palmeiras tonight… and we can’t wait!!!

News Update

It’s been a busy week at SF since the Sevilla launch, last weekend…

The design of the Galatasaray and Corinthians cars were finalised and are now – thanks to the organisation skills of our Ops team – on their way to their respective destinations, ready to officially meet the fans in early March (more on these dates soon).

The Sevilla car has really done the rounds this week and went straight to Madrid to the TV station La Cuatro where it was in the studio of a sports programme (and morning programme, too)! Alex hasn’t stopped doing interviews which is all good for raising awareness of ‘the beautiful race’.

We are also finalising all details for the prototype testing which is set to take place in the first week of March in Donington… There’s much expectation and excitement to hear that v12 roar!!!