In addition, Superleague Formula organisers are also in discussion with several clubs in the United Kingdom and the USA to complete a full 20 car field for the first race of the championship in August, next year. The championship is spearheaded by Spaniard Alex Andreu, a sports marketing specialist and business man who developed innovative and sophisticated media/communications programmes for the Olympic Games, World Skiing Championships, Spanish Professional Football league and Spanish Football Federation and National Team, Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) and FIFA/UEFA; and Englishman Robin Webb, a former financial executive with many years of hands-on motorsport experience.
“Extensive research shows that our concept will be embraced by fans of both football and motorsport. We conducted focus group research sessions with season ticket holders at 10 of the top clubs throughout Europe, ” Andreu said.
“The objective was to evaluate whether there was interest in an idea such as this and to see whether there were any negatives we ought to consider, which there weren t.
“We detected such interest that it convinced us that fans would embrace the concept. Football fans are always incredibly passionate about their teams and this is another form of engagement. The interest from the motorsport fans will also be important given the technology and car that will be used as well as an exciting competition format. ”
The core of the new series, also revealed for the first time today, is a dramatic-looking Elan/Panoz single-seater built by Élan Motorsport Technologies in the United States. It will be powered by a 750bhp 4.2-litre V12 engine designed by US-owned Menard Competition Technologies (MCT) in Leafield, England. All race teams will have identical cars and engines with high performance specs, allowing the drivers skills to be the determining factor.
“There is always great excitement when some of these teams meet on the pitch, but such events happen only occasionally. With Superleague Formula, fans will be able to watch their teams competing regularly for the first time together against a whole grid of their traditional rivals at every race weekend, ” Andreu said. There will be two Superleague Formula races per weekend, - the main focal points in a packed programme that will be staged at the best circuits around the world. One of the races will actually be run with a completely reversed grid.
For each round, the race teams will battle for a weekend purse of more than 1 million euros in prize money. “The initial plan is to have a grid of about 20 cars, although we could accommodate a few more in time, ” Webb said.
“In the first year we will run six races at high-profile tracks, all within Europe. We want to expand gradually to a maximum of seventeen races in future years (some outside of Europe) to take the championship closer to all the club fans that are contesting the championship.
“The series will feature identical cars with true Champions League performance. We believe Superleague Formula will enable many young stars of the future to gain considerable experience in a very competitive championship. ”
Along with the backing of some of the world s top football clubs, Superleague Formula has already gained the official approval of the Federation lnternationale de l Automobile (FIA) – the controlling body for international motorsport.
“I welcome the addition of Superleague Formula to the calendar. We believe the championship will present motorsport to a new and extensive audience who may not have followed the sport in the past, ” said Gabrielle Cadringer, FIA (President Manufacturers Commission (Sport)).
While the on-track action between the world s fiercest football rivals will be a major attraction, a key focus of Superleague Formula race weekends will be off-track entertainment.
“We want to attract families, young people and a female audience, too, and for that you need to have lots of different activities at the circuit, ” Andreu said.
“That would add extra value to the admission ticket. We are working with Imagination in London – one of the world s largest and most highly regarded global brand consultancies – to develop a complete entertainment package.
“Our focus will be to provide outstanding value - world class motorsport entertainment at competitive prices. There will be some tremendous racing and a whole range of other attractions, some of which will be football themed. It won t be like any other motorsport weekend.
“The basic philosophy of the championship will also be very unique. We will have an open paddock for all fans, the rear of the garages will be open for viewing by spectators and our teams and drivers will be very focussed on providing access to the paying public. “
The Superleague Formula concept has been warmly welcomed by some of the biggest names in world football including AC Milan coach, Carlo Ancelotti; club captain Paolo Maldini and PSV Eindhoven coach, Ronald Koeman.
“Its extremely exciting for us to see the Milan brand and colours on this fantastic car. It is also incredible to think that the top football brands will be racing against each other at prestigious international circuits, ” Ancelotti said.
Ancelotti recently unveiled the AC Milan car with Maldini at the club s training ground. “The idea of uniting football fans passion with motorsport is a winning combination that will definitely have the following of millions of people worldwide, ” said Maldini.
PSV s Koeman believes his club s fans will warmly welcome upcoming on-track battle between football s traditional rivals.
“PSV is very proud to compete in major international competitions such as the Champions League and the ability for the club to expand its brand beyond football into Superleague Formula is a wonderful opportunity, ” Ronald Koeman said.
“We obviously enjoy the chance to play against our major rivals throughout Europe and I am certain our fans will look forward to seeing the PSV Superleague Formula car race against some of these same teams. “Like many countries, football and motorsport are very popular in this part of the world and I believe the Dutch fans will really look forward to this. ”
In preparing marketing and sales packages for the new championship, Superleague Formula has partnered with the Havas/Media Planning Group – one of the world s largest global advertising and communications groups.
“At Havas we believe the combination of the passion of the football and the excitement of motorsport provides a unique marketing platform for potential sponsors, ” Havas Media CEO, Alfonso Rodés said.
“Our role with Superleague Formula will be to assist the championship to develop an attractive TV strategy and to present sales and marketing opportunities to major consumer marketers across the globe. ”
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