Superleague Formula

[Driverdb]

I never thought this series would come this far as it's a pretty wacked out idea in my opinion, but it's actually shaping up quite nicely.

20 cars (identical chassis and engines) will be competing and each one of them will be carrying the colours and liveries of major football (soccer) clubs from all over the world.

Current teams signed up are:
AC Milan, Italy
Al-Ain, UAE
Anderlecht, Belgium
AS Roma, Italy
Borussia Dortmund, Germany
Corinthians, Brazil
FC Basel, Switzerland
Flamengo, Brazil
Galatasaray, Turkey
PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands
Rangers FC, Scotland
Sevilla FC, Spain
FC Porto, Portugal
Olympiacos, Greece

It's a bit quiet on the driver's front but I've heard that Ryan Dalziel might be the one driving the Rangers car.

Schedule:
Race 1: Donington Park, UK - 30/31 August 2008
Race 2: Nürburgring, Germany - 20/21 September 2008
Race 3: Zolder, Belgium - 4/5 October
Race 4: Estoril, Portugal - 18/19 October
Race 5: Vallelunga, Italy - 1/2 November
Race 6: Jerez, Spain - 22/23 November

The car has been built by Elan Motorsport and will feature a V12 with 750 horsepower by Menard Competition.

It looks and sounds like this:
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[Harakimi]

At some point I readed that these cars would be technically stronger than current F1's... :P

[brendonhartleyfan]

Is this actually to be taking a serious European championship? it just appears to be a bit of a crazy idea.

Does anyone have the full car specs?

[Harakimi]

Found these from the end of 2007, not sure if they're still valid.

Panoz (USA) Superleague DP09B car specs
Overall car width to wheel rim: 2000mm
Wheelbase: 3156mm

Total Length: 4600mm (tbc)
Max Height: 995mm
Front Wing Width: 1400mm
Rear Wing Width: 1000mm
Bodywork Width: 1400mm
Weight Target: 675kg

Chassis, Nose and Impact Structures to pass 2005 FIA F1 Crash Test Regulations:

* Carbon fibre/aluminium honeycomb composite chassis
* Carbon fibre internal bulkheads
* Quick release carbon fibre front impact structure (nose)
* Carbon firbre rear impact structure and wing mount (RIS)
* Carbon fibre side impact structures (SIPS)
* Carbon fibre rear roll hoop
* Integral rear chassis bulkhead with fuel cell access panel
* Schroth (USA) 6-point seat belt harness
* Crushable steering column installation
* Onboard fire extinguisher system (SPA UK) 3.375L AFFF

Cooling Configuration: Aluminium welded radiators, Oil RHS / Water LHS
Oil Tank: Aluminium swirl pot onto cast tank in gearbox bellhousing
Bell Housing: Aluminium casting integral with Hewland gearbox
Clutch: AP (UK) triple plate carbon clutch to suit standing starts (diameter 115 mm)
Starter: Rear external
Fuel System: ATL (UK) FIA FT5 kevlar fuel cell. Capacity approx 150 Litres
Pumps: Twin electric lift pumps, and two Bosch (Germany) high pressure electric pump
Exhausts: SSTube Tech (UK). Inconel six-into-one per side, top exit
Gearbox: Hewland (UK) LSFA semi-auto Longitudinal 6-speed with reverse. Cast Aluminium casing. Powerflow Diff.
Gear Change: Hewland paddle shift system (pneumatic)
Calipers: Brembo (ITALY) 6-piston monobloc aluminium caliper
Discs and pads: Brembo CCR300 carbon-carbon disc
Front Suspension:
Steel/Carbon wishbones and steel pushrod to twin shocks.
Driver adjustable front ARB
Steering:
Titan (UK) made rack and pinion (cast magnesium housing)
Quick release Momo steering wheel with quick-shift paddles and integral wheel mounted dash display
Rear Suspension:
Steel aero tube wishbones and pushrod to twin shocks
Adjustable rear ARB
Pankl (Austria) drive shafts and tripods
Uprights: Panoz designed steel fabricated uprights
Hubs: Panoz designed, Pankl (Austria) manufactured
Springs and Dampers Options:
Ohlins (SWEDEN) ST44 2-way adjustable
Wheels: Avus(GERMANY) or OZ(ITALY) 15.0” Magnesium cast rims. 10” wide front/15” rear
Tyres: Avon (UK) 255/635 R15 Front/ Avon 350/720 R15 rear
Data: tba
Bodywork: Composite carbon fibre, made by Panoz


Engine specification
No of Cylinders: 12
Capacity: 4.2 Litres
Configuration: 60 degrees V formation
Weight: 140KG (Dry)
Peak Power: 750bhp @ 11,750 rpm
Maximum RPM: 12,000
Peak Torque: 510 N/M 9,500 10,500

[EIR Loe.307]

Any idea what one of these is gonna run you?? $$$

[Driverdb]

Seven of the ten race teams who are going to run these football cars have been announced:

Team Astromega - Flamengo and Anderlecht
Azerti Motorsport - PSV Eindhoven and Al Ain
EuroInternational - Corinthians and TBA
GU Racing - FC Basel and Olympiacos
Scuderia Playteam - AC Milan and Galatasaray
West-Tec - FC Porto and Glasgow Rangers
Zakspeed - Borussia Dortmund and TBA
FMS International - AS Roma

[Fahad_H]

Any info about Al-Ain, UAE?

[Driverdb]

Any info about Al-Ain, UAE?

No, not really. Never heard of the team Azerti Motorsport. It's a dutch team apparantly.

Here's how the car looks.

[Driverdb]

It's old news really, but I've missed it (perhaps I'm not the only one).

Robert Doornbos is the first driver signed up for the series. He will race for A.C. Milan (car run by Scuderia Playteam). A pretty decent signing for Milan, and it will sure put some pressure on the other teams who now really can't show up with just anyone. :)

[Ryan]

Jan Heylen is reported for the R.S.C. Anderlecht team from the Belgian Jupilar League.

Also here is a picture of the car that will be sponsored by Rangers F.C.

[NetOz]

This series is for real ? Is it really gonna become true ?

I dont think it will happen

[Ryan]

This series is for real ? Is it really gonna become true ?

I dont think it will happen

They had better start getting some drivers that's for sure. The first race is scheduled for August 30 at Donington Park.

[FAlonso]

This series is for real ? Is it really gonna become true ?

I dont think it will happen

:lol: It is quite strange only 2 or 3 drivers are known so far with the first race starting at the end of next month. The first season will also be over before you know it since there are only 6 races scheduled. They want to build this up to 17 or so.

Here you can find anything about the series. http://superleagueformula.net/

[FAlonso]

Unique qualifying shootout for Superleague Formula.

Superleague Formula will launch motorsport's version of a penalty shootout for qualifying for the inaugural championship which kicks off at Britain's Donington Park on August 30/31. The Superleague Formula teams will be split into two equal groups for separate individual 15 minute qualifying sessions - from these sessions, four cars from each group to proceed to the knock-out stage.
These eight cars will then do battle in a time attack format. They will queue in pit lane and the first two cars will be sent off as a pair. A pre-determined gap will be maintained on the warm-up lap- close enough to entertain the crowds, far away enough so the following car is not impacted by aerodynamic factors - either positive (the ability to gain a tow) or negative (any loss of downforce by following too close).

The cars will complete a single flying lap, the fastest of the pair going on to race in the semi final. This is repeated three more times with four cars qualifying for the semi final.

Two semi-final shoot-outs then take place to decide the the final two cars who will then do battle for pole position.

No refueling or tyre changing can take place during the session.

Notice the small air intake compared to an F1 car while the indy car engine in the SL Formula is almost double the size.

[Driverdb]

Fisichella Motor Sport International will run a car for AS Roma and the car will be driven by F3000 and A1GP veteran Enrico Toccacelo. :)

[Ryan]

1980's F1 driver Christian Danner will be driving for Borussia Dortmund.

Most teams do now have drivers ready.

[FAlonso]

Yesterday, during the test session of the Superleague Formula at Vallelunga, the car of the Belgian football club RSCA Anderlecht went up in flames. They had some test drivers running at the Italian circuit. When Nico Verdonck made a pit stop, the fuel line disconnected and the car was engulfed in flames. Nobody was injured during the incident.

[tsm612]

Does anyone know if there will be any channel in the U.S. showing these races?

[emmabro]

hi TSM...not sure if you can view it any country :confused:
the first race is only a few miles from me and it's as if it's not even taking place;)
no adverts no "hype":huh:
was notified the other day that i'd got a free ticket for the race:eek:
have to take my passport to the race track to pick it up :wonder:
very odd:lol:
XxEm

[Dirk]

AC Milan - Robert Doornbos (ex-F1 & CCWS)
AS Roma - Enrico Toccacello (ex-A1GP)
Sevilla FC - Borja Garcia (ex-GP2)
PSV - Yelmer Buurman (ex-GP2)
Glasgow Rangers - Ryan Dalziel (ex-CCWS)
Galatasaray - Jason Tahinci (ex-GP2)
Flamengo - Tuka Rocha (ex-Euro F3000)*
FC Basel - Max Wissel (Formula BMW)
Corinthians - Antonio Pizzonia (ex-F1)
Borussia Dortmund - Christian Danner (ex-F1)*
FC Porto - Tristan Gommendy (ex-CCWS)
RSC Anderlecht - Jerome D'Ambrosio (GP2)
Al Ain - Andreas Zuber (GP2)
Beijing Gouan - Ho Pin Tung (GP2)*

All other teams: TBA
* = to be confirmed

[FAlonso]

Does anyone know if there will be any channel in the U.S. showing these races?

I just got a reply to the mail i've send to them a good week ago. They are in discussions with several broadcasters in USA but no one has shown interest in covering the races. :wonder:

Here is the media release from Aug 26, it's long but usefull. :lol::D

Barcelona, Spain (August 26, 2008) – Superleague Formula has concluded television deals with major international broadcasters throughout the world, taking the new football-themed motor racing championship to the same networks where football fans cheer on their local heroes.

The inaugural championship kicks off at Donington Park in the UK this weekend and Superleague Formula will supply live action of Saturday qualifying and Sunday's two races including the innovative reverse grid final event.

In addition, a 52-minute highlight programme of the race weekend will also be produced for the networks.

Fans will be able to view the championship on:

UK: Setanta Sports
Spain & Andorra: Cuatro
Italy: Sky Italia
Portugal: TVI
Brazil: SporTV Globo
France: Direct 8
Holland: RTL
Greece: Alpha TV
Cyprus: MiVision
Turkey: Show TV
UAE & Middle East countries: Abu Dhabi Sport

For all the remaining European countries, Eurosport 2, will provide live coverage of the race weekend as well as a specific magazine in prime time on Tuesdays.

In addition to the commercial broadcasters and leading sports networks, Superleague Formula will widen its coverage thanks to the partnerships developed with the football clubs with on-track action also broadcast on many of the participating club's own networks including:

AC Milan: Milan Chanel
Borussia Dortmund: BVB TV
PSV: PSV TV
FC Basel: FCB Internet TV
RSC Anderlecht: RSCA TV
Galatasaray: Galatasaray TV
Glasgow Rangers: Rangers TV
Sevilla FC: Sevilla TV
Corinthians: Corinthians TV
Flamengo: Flamengo TV
Olympiacos: TV Magic
Liverpool: LFCTV

Superleague Formula's debut race will be seen in 62 countries across the globe with a potential audience reach of 100 million people.

“We are extremely pleased with the first-class broadcasters we have been able to line up for our first event at Donington," Superleague Formula President and CEO, Alex Andreu said.

"These are all major players in sports rights acquisitions and we are delighted to be one of the properties in their portfolio. These networks are already where fans catch the action of their favorite football team, now they can see their new favourite racing team on the same networks.

"This is just the start for Superleague Formula, the championship is a brand new event and a unique concept which will only continue to grow. We are already in discussion with many other major networks in key markets and expect to expand our global television reach, not only year on year, but even throughout our debut season.

"Superleague Formula is offering new and unique content for an international audience and we are delighted to secure these exclusive deals with major broadcasters prior to our first race. We would like to thank our broadcasting partners for sharing in our dreams for Superleague Formula.

While Superleague Formula has attracted some of the biggest names in world football to the championship, SFTV, the television production division of the new series has also recruited some of the main players in sports television production including Host Broadcast Services (HBS) for the race coverage; Gigawave, for the supply of the on-board camera and RF systems; NEP Visions, for the OB editing facilities; Wurmsers, for the on-screen graphics and InBC for the production services.

The Superleague Formula grid will now include teams from the UK (Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur), Scotland (Rangers), Italy (AC Milan and AS Roma), Spain (Sevilla), Portugal (FC Porto), Netherlands (PSV Eindhoven), Germany (Borussia Dortmund), Belgium (RSC Anderlecht), Switzerland (FC Basel), Greece (Olympiacos), Turkey (Galatasaray), UAE (Al Ain), Brazil (Flamengo and Corinthians) and China (Beijing Guoan).

The complete Superleague Formula calendar includes Donington Park (August 30-31), Nurburgring (September 20-21), Zolder (October 4-5), Estoril (October 18-19), Vallelunga (November 1-2) and Jerez (November 22-23).


FURTHER INFORMATION :
Additional briefing information, video and images are available at:

http://www.superleagueformulamedia.com (http://sut5.co.uk/clickthrough.php?iD=4&iItem=43047&iLink=10539349&strUnique_ID=343c2705af231565386b911143dfa8&strUrl=http://www.superleagueformulamedia.com)
username: superleague
password: medianews

[Ryan]

Sweet:thumbsup::thumbsup:

I have a subscription to Setanta Sports.:D

Also, this is the first I've heard of Liverpool FC having a team...they threw that one together quickly.

[emmabro]

Hi There :D
so has anyone watched any of the races :wonder:
can hear the cars in the distance going round the track...
don't have Setanta so no viewing for me :(
would be intrested to hear about it ;)
XxEm