Football clubs + racing cars = Superleague Formula

[jorismo]

For years and years a group of people secretly developed a brand new racing league. And not just a racing league, a league combining football and racing, two of the most popular sports on the planet. In 2008 the new league will start with a few races in England, Spain, Germany, France, Belgium and Italy. In the year after that, the league wants to create a 17 race championship.

The competing teams:



Ac Milan



PSV Eindhoven



FC Porto



Olympiakos


The car:

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.

Having already passed all the latest safety crash tests, in accordance with the governing body’s (FIA) criteria, 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)

* “X-Trac” six-speed gearbox + “Megaline” paddle operated gear shift

* Pi “SIGMA” based dashboard / data logging system

* Latest carbon brakes

* ‘Slick’ racing style tyres with no grooves or tread


The engine:
Powerful and reliable, with an impressive noise like no other, the 750bhp engine is brand new and unique (to Superleague Formula) design comes in a V12 configuration and 4.2 litre capacity.

Based in Oxfordshire, England, Menard Competition Technologies is responsible for the manufacture and supply of our engines, bringing their own extensive and impressive facilities and extensive experience to Superleague Formula.

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

[jorismo]

Found some pics of the cars:



AC Milan already presented theirs. I think that PSV will present theirs during the Champions League tonight...

[Wouter Melissen]

It wasn't that much of a secret, but I did not know they were still working on it. For the club's sake, I do hope they do not have any money invested in the series; it will be as successful as A1 GP.

[drakkie]

Well it wasn't entirely secret.. I remember from reading in the paper about such league. Then Feyenoord would also enter along with dozens of other major clubs.

However to me this entire league sounds like a huge money waster for the clubs and the fans !

[jorismo]

I hope PSV decides to get out of it... But I'm afraid they wont...

[drakkie]

Originally Posted by jorismo

I hope PSV decides to get out of it... But I'm afraid they wont...

Well atleast they aren't in financial trouble (yet).. not something the other clubs can say really...

[jorismo]

Originally Posted by drakkie

Well atleast they aren't in financial trouble (yet).. not something the other clubs can say really...

Well actually they are... They made some positive results last year, but there is still a long way to go. Although there are some speculations that Philips will give a large sum of money to PSV because PSV is a big succes in Asia which helps Philips a lot.

[drakkie]

Originally Posted by jorismo

Well actually they are... They made some positive results last year, but there is still a long way to go. Although there are some speculations that Philips will give a large sum of money to PSV because PSV is a big succes in Asia which helps Philips a lot.

Sorry I didn't know that.. It is not really in the media I read.. AD/RD + NRC and the free papers distributed in public transport..

[bmwpower]

Pure racing slick is gonna be fun, especially in the rain How will they account for the weather? Cancel all the races..

[jorismo]

Originally Posted by drakkie

Sorry I didn't know that.. It is not really in the media I read.. AD/RD + NRC and the free papers distributed in public transport..

Eindhovens Dagblad FTW!

[jorismo]

Wait a minute... I just read the article on the site of PSV and according to that, it wont cost PSV a single euro. All they do is connect their name to an independent racing team. The even get payed for it! ... So no financial risk at all...

[teatako]

i just hope we can have barra bravas and sing and all. ive always wanted to sing about rival driver´s mothers with about 2000 more people in a race

[Zytek_Fan]

Originally Posted by Wouter Melissen

It wasn't that much of a secret, but I did not know they were still working on it. For the club's sake, I do hope they do not have any money invested in the series; it will be as successful as A1 GP.

A1 GP is gaining popularity...slowly but surely...

[taz_rocks_miami]

Are the football clubs going to be from Europe exclusively? It would be nice to see the top teams from Latin America represented also.

[Zytek_Fan]

Originally Posted by taz_rocks_miami

Are the football clubs going to be from Europe exclusively? It would be nice to see the top teams from Latin America represented also.

It's looking like FA Cup teams.