Superleague Formula will see 20 cars compete against one another in Year One – each one proudly wearing the colours of a major European or global football club.
While none of the participating clubs will be required to contribute financially, they will all be ‘in it to win it’, giving the Championship their full support and backing.
All this means that Superleague Formula will enable the participating clubs to grow their image, appeal and fan base in innovative new ways, right across the world.
To get the ball rolling, the first clubs to pledge their commitment to participate in Superleague Formula were AC Milan, PSV Eindhoven, FC Porto and Olympiacos in April 2007. They were followed by Borussia Dortmund, RSC Anderlecht and Flamengo who proudly joined the field in July 2007, and then FC Basel and Galatasaray SK.
In 2008, Sevilla FC, Corinthians, Rangers and, most recently, Al Ain have also signed up to take part. Over the next few months, we will reveal the remaining eight clubs who will be taking part in the beautiful race…
* Football Clubs o AC Milan o Al-Ain FC o Anderlecht o Borussia Dortmund o Corinthians o FC Basel o Flamengo o Galatasaray SK o PSV Eindhoven o Rangers FC o Sevilla FC o FC Porto
The 750-horsepower, V-12 powered Superleague Formula car hit the track for the first time at Donington Park, UK, in March 2008 (see film above).
A total of six, three-day tests are scheduled during the development phase. The next outing will be at the Monteblanco circuit in Spain (late March). French driver, Bruce Jouanny, is acting as the series official test driver.
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
LISTEN TO THE ENGINE HERE:
With its excellent facilities, specialist manufacturing experience and delivery record, Élan Motorsport Technologies from Atlanta, Georgia USA will be responsible for the development of the Superleague Formula car design and chassis.
As a multi-car manufacturer in the single-seater and sports car world, Élan currently manufactures cars for Indianapolis, Indy Racing League and Champcar, as well as other domestic and international championships.
Primarily designed to provide real spectacle, the Superleague Formula high-performance chassis is built on a two-metre wide track, with under-body aerodynamics to create increased overtaking opportunities.
The dramatic-looking Panoz single-seater will continue to be tested extensively in prototype form before being released to all teams.
Key stats
* Carbon fibre tub to use the latest ‘lay up’ methods for extreme strength / lightness
* Incorporates a unique (to Superleague Formula) safety seat
* Aerodynamic design will distinguish the car from other major formula (without affecting its modern and dynamic appearance)
* Under-body aerodynamics will also allow cars to follow nose-to-tail, creating increased overtaking opportunities
* Use of non-beneficial driver aids (such as “launch control”) have been purposefully avoided, although the cars will feature the latest technology as part of their design package
* Multi functional steering wheel design (unique to Superleague Formula)
* Steering wheel mounted dash / data logging system
* Latest carbon brakes
* ‘Slick’ racing style tyres with no grooves or tread
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PANOZ (USA) SUPERLEAGUE DP09B CAR SPECS (Updated 22 October 2007)
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) Bespoke quick release carbon fibre steering wheel designed jointly by Menard Technologies and Pi Research specifically for the SF Championship 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: To be decided Wheels: Oz Tyres: Michelin Data: Pi Research (Cambridge) Bodywork: Composite carbon fibre, made by Panoz
Superleague Formula’s inaugural race season will visit the following six major circuits across Europe, from August – November 2008:
Race 1: Donington, United Kingdom – August 30/31, 2008
Race 2: Nürburgring, Germany – September 20/21, 2008
Race 3: Zolder, Belgium – October 4/5, 2008
Race 4: Estoril, Portugal – October 18/19, 2008
Race 5: Vallelunga, Italy – November 1/2, 2008
Race 6: Jerez, Spain – November 22/23, 2008
Originally approved by the Spanish Motorsport Federation for inscription in the official FIA 2008 calendar, the schedule was then officially rubber stamped at the FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting on Friday 7 December 2007.
“While the performance of our cars, matched with these spectacular circuits will obviously attract our share of motorsport fans, our goal is to introduce football supporters to [Superleague Formula] and provide an outstanding day of family entertainment,” explains Alex Andreu. “The race weekends will be ‘more than a race’ and we aim to provide unprecedented access for fans to meet the drivers and see the cars and teams up close.
“Superleague Formula will have a unique party-like atmosphere where fans will see their colours doing battle against their traditional rivals in an entirely new sporting arena.”
In Year Two and beyond, we want to expand gradually up to a maximum of 17 races in future years, taking the championship closer to all fans around the world at venues in Europe, South America and Asia. We are also looking at the possibility of taking Superleague Formula to the fans by staging a series of street races, as well.
Jenson drives it like he owns it; Lewis drives it like he stole it
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/28/2008 02:18PM by danm.
dkpioe Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > interesting enginesa. as powerful as f1, and heaps > more torque. on paper they should be amazingly > fast.
I reckon they'll be faster on a race track, tbh
RedSam Winner: Not the Nickv Comment of the Year 2009 Due to the voting system in Germany, Governments are always made up of coalitions of different parties. At the last election, an almost unprecidented result saw the CDU/CSU (rough equivilant of the Conservatives) go into Government with the SPD (rough equivilant of Labour)
It sure did, did you also hear the commentators talking about how 1 of the big 4 teams in the premier league are also joining?
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"When you begin in this sport you are given a chequebook. Every time you have a big one you must write a check to the angels. The trick is to finish your career before you empty the chequebook".
Team Owner of ItalianEnglish Dynamics in GPG Super League GP4 Season 5: 7) Jethro Walters. 8) Zsigmond Somogyi. TD) Stuart Ingers and Joel Henrique GP3 Season 5: 14) Nathan Turner. 15) Tobias Kederer. 6 Time Race Winners
Sim All Hail The New York Giants - Winners of Superbowl XXI, XXV and XLII! "I'd love to know what goes on in that crazy head of yours sometimes, Sim..." - Locke Cole
anze89 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > it would be interesting if football players would > be driving these formulas :p
I did say somewhere the only way I would watch it is if Dimitar Berbatov was driving, or Ledley King.
Team Owner of ItalianEnglish Dynamics in GPG Super League GP4 Season 5: 7) Jethro Walters. 8) Zsigmond Somogyi. TD) Stuart Ingers and Joel Henrique GP3 Season 5: 14) Nathan Turner. 15) Tobias Kederer. 6 Time Race Winners
Team Owner of ItalianEnglish Dynamics in GPG Super League GP4 Season 5: 7) Jethro Walters. 8) Zsigmond Somogyi. TD) Stuart Ingers and Joel Henrique GP3 Season 5: 14) Nathan Turner. 15) Tobias Kederer. 6 Time Race Winners