Archiv für den Tag: 25.6.2009

Formula Two arrives at Spa

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Top five drivers seperated by just six points as F2 arrives at Spa
Rounds five and six take place this weekend at legendary Belgian venue

Mirko Bortolotti led the field in Race One at Brno

After a wide open weekend in Brno, the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship rolls into the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium this weekend (26/27/28 June) for rounds five and six of the season.

Mirko Bortolotti currently holds the championship lead, but with the top five drivers separated by just six points he will have his work cut out defending his position. The Italian took a stylish maiden victory in Race One at Brno, but a spin when challenging for fifth in the second race allowed his rivals to close the gap.

Experienced Spaniard Andy Soucek will be hoping to carry his winning form into Spa, after capitalising on an error by Nicola De Marco to take victory in the second race at Brno. Soucek has previously scored podiums at Spa in Formula Renault 3.5 and GP2, and will be hoping to again be challenging at the front in Formula Two.

Separating Bortolotti and Soucek in the overall standings are the Red Bull duo of Robert Wickens and Mikhail Aleshin, and Frenchman Julien Jousse. Wickens lies second in the championship courtesy of a sensational opening weekend in Valencia where he took both pole positions and both race wins, but after failing to register a points finish at Brno he will be hoping to get his season back on track here in Belgium. Aleshin meanwhile lies third after a string of top-six finishes, but he too must bounce back from a non-finish in race two last weekend.

Elsewhere it was a weekend of mixed fortunes for De Marco, who impressed in Brno by taking pole for race one and leading much of race two, before a mistake dropped him down to third. Henry Surtees also impressed with pole for race two, but suffered heartbreak after failing to get away from the start. Henri Karjalainen was the surprise package of the weekend, the Finn taking his maiden points with fourth in the opening race, whilst Armaan Ebrahim had two storming drives through the field to take sixth in both races.

Cut into the forests of the Ardennes, the sweeping Spa-Francorchamps is set to provide some fantastic racing this weekend with many of the 25 F2 drivers having previous experience of the circuit. Incredibly 17 drivers have already scored points after just four rounds of the championship, with nine claiming podium finishes.

Championship leader Mirko Bortolotti said: “I’m really looking forward to Spa – this is the first time I’ve been here, which is a bit of a disadvantage, but the circuit has a great reputation and I think we will have a good package. I’m keen to do my best on Friday and to see where I stand. I can be very happy with my start in Formula Two this season, especially my victory, but the championship is long so I have to look forward and continue winning.”

Robert Wickens said: “Spa is the kind of track that you dream of driving when you’re young – it’s a blast! It’s also good timing as it allows me to get Brno out of my system quickly. I’ll be targeting wins and podiums this weekend, and I’m confident whatever the weather does. It’s just a matter of getting things together and not making the same mistakes we did in Brno.”

Andy Soucek said: “I have been in love with Spa since my first race here in Formula Renault 3.5, and I’m really looking forward to racing here in Formula Two. More than just my victory, I am very happy about the fact I have really closed on the top three drivers after Brno. From the first test my aim has been to win the championship, and I think Spa could set the tone for the rest of the season.”

www.formulatwo.com

1000 Km of Algarve: the programm

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Let’s discover the 1000 Km of Algarve timetable. This night race, which will take place on Saturday night, is announced as an exceptional round and will be the nail of a very complete show. There will be no less than six support races among which the CER, the Formula Le Mans, the Formula Renault 3.5…and a lot of other ones.

Under Portimao’s sun, teams and drivers will meet for the very first time since the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Even if the atmosphere will be very a summer one, the third round of the season promises to be…very hot!

Click here to read more

www.lemans-series.com.

Miguel Socías Campeonato de karting de la región de Murcia

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El Circuito de Los Ángeles acoge la cuarta cita del murciano de karting
SOCÍAS AMPLIA SU PROGRAMA Y CORRERÁ EN JUMILLA

LQ8M8986
Campanet, (Illes Balears, España), miércoles 24 de junio de 2009.
Vista la buena progresión del pilotaje de Miguel Socías a lo largo de esta
temporada, el equipo MS Motorsport ha decidido ampliar un poco su programa
deportivo y este fin de semana competirá en el Circuito Internacional de
Jumilla, el más grande de esta comunidad, que acogerá la cuarta prueba del
regional de karting de la región de Murcia. Esta es la segunda vez que este
certamen visita la comarca del altiplano, no obstante para el piloto de la
Escudería Mallorca Competició será su bautismo de fuego sobre este trazado.
Miguel Socías está preparando esta carrera de la mejor manera posible y hoy
y mañana entrenará en el Circuito de Llucmajor probando algunos reglajes
y nuevas configuraciones. Como viene siendo habitual el campaneter correrá
al volante de un kart AVK con motor Puma, aunque para esta ocasión empleará
un chasis corto cedido por Vicente Vallés. Las expectativas para esta cita son
alentadoras ya que se espera una buena participación al estar ya muchos de
los jóvenes pilotos de vacaciones.
En la jornada del sábado se realizarán las verificaciones técnicas y administrativas
y a la vez los participantes podrán realizar entrenamientos libres. En la matinal
del domingo se celebrarán los entrenamientos oficiales y las dos mangas de
carrera de cada categoría siendo los alevines los primeros en saltar a la pista.
Por otro lado está previsto que este meeting finalice sobre las 14:00 horas.
El balear al conocer la noticia sobre su participación en la carrera de Jumilla
nos comentaba:
"Para mí es una gran satisfacción que el equipo haya decidido ampliar mi
programa deportivo, además nunca he corrido en el Circuito de Jumilla, es
un trazado nuevo para mí, y ello es un motivo más para afrontar esta prueba
con gran motivación, espero hacer un buen resultado, aunque soy consciente
de que soy nuevo en esto y todavía tengo mucho que aprender, pero las ganasFERBISPRESS
de estar arriba, uno siempre las tiene."

Miguel Ferrer
tn.+34 619.674.644
www.ferbispress.com

‘SUPERLEAGUE FORMULA BY SONANGOL’ ALL SET FOR BLAST OFF IN FRANCE

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The final countdown has begun: there are now just days before the spectacular 2009 ‘Superleague Formula by Sonangol’ race series kicks off this weekend (27/28 France) at Magny-Cours in France.
The former home of the French Grand Prix not only will witness the start of what promises to be an even more dramatic second season for the ground breaking Superleague Formula series – that combines the gusto and exhilaration of premier league motor sport with the passion and obsession of football – but also will witness several significant evolutions for the dynamic championship.
Major new developments for 2009 include the arrival of three new soccer clubs, a thrilling new race format, the introduction of upgraded and more powerful V12 engines, the addition of three famous new venues, even more top class drivers as well as the advent of a new title sponsor following confirmation that Angolan-based multinational oil giant Sonangol has entered into an important two-year partnership with Superleague Formula.

As well as the three Superleage Formula headline races (see Super Final below), this weekend’s busy track schedule includes rounds of both the Euroseries 3000 and popular MitJets championships.
However, as always, there is far more to a Superleague Formula event than on-track action. Adding an extra fun dimension to each race weekend, meetings include a programme of off-track entertainment with festival activities for all ages to add extra value to the admission ticket. At Magny-Cours fans can enjoy a wide range of amusing entertainments including: stunt moto displays, slot car racing, minikarts, Playstation contests and many more.


An ‘open-to-all’ philosophy also allows fans to get access to the paddock, to the rear of the pit garages and to meet their football and racing heroes. Adding to the excitement, in the final build up to the opening weekend at Magny-Cours there will be a spectacular demonstration featuring the Olympique Lyonnais, Liverpool and AS Roma cars on the streets of the local city of Nevers. This dazzling street show is being organised by Superleague Formula, Magny Cours and the city hall.
Three new clubs:
The majority of those internationally renowned soccer clubs contesting the inaugural Superleague Formula are back for more action in 2009. This time, though, European champions such as AC Milan and Liverpool FC are joined on the 18-car grid by three ambitious rookies: FC Midtjylland, Olympique Lyonnais, and Sporting Clube de Portugal. Olympique Lyonnais is the series’ first French club and sure to be the ‘fans favourite’ this weekend at Magny-Cours.
New Super Final climax:
Magny-Cours will witness the introduction of an exciting new race format. As in 2008, race day will feature two 45-minutes showdowns, the second with a reverse starting grid taken from the finishing results of the first. However the action-packed schedule will now reach its thrilling climax with a third race for the top three finishers from the first two races. This special six-car ‘shoot-out’ will decide the overall ‘Weekend Winner’. Extra championship points will not be on offer but the final results will determine the distribution of each event’s €333,000 prize fund.
More powerful V12 engines:
Specially designed and manufactured exclusively for the series by Menard Competition Technologies in Oxfordshire, England, the advanced 4.2-litre V12 is fitted to all the single-seater racers that represent many of the world’s top football clubs on the vibrant Superleague Formula grid. Since its introduction in 2008, the high-tech 750+ horsepower engine has received widespread acclaim for both its power and reliability as well as for delivering stirring sounds, which have added greatly to the football-inspired fervor in the grandstands. Now, with a year’s racing experience successfully completed, MCT has introduced several significant upgrades aimed at increasing both power and durability. Notable new developments include an improved water system plus revisions to the oil system to reduce oil surge in high g-force corners.

www.superleagueformula.com

„Deutsches Monaco“: Formel 3 Euro Serie startet am Norisring

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Streckenlänge: 2,300 Kilometer
Rundenrekord:0:48,902 Minuten / Nico Hülkenberg 2008
Distanz: Sa: 35 Runden / So: 48 Runden
Sieger 2008: Nico Hülkenberg / Christian Vietoris
Der Norisring, wegen seines außergewöhnlichen Flairs auch „Deutsches Monaco“ genannt, ist am kommenden Wochenende Schauplatz der Saisonrennen fünf und sechs der Formel 3 Euro Serie. Das Rennwochenende auf dem nur 2,3 Kilometer langen Stadtkurs um die Steintribüne am Nürnberger Duzendteich ist traditionell der Saisonhöhepunkt der stärksten Nachwuchsserie der Welt. Der Franzose Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix) reist als Führender der Tabelle in die fränkische Metropole, doch sein Vorsprung auf die beiden punktgleichen Zweitplatzierten Roberto Merhi (Manor Motorsport) und Sam Bird (Mücke Motorsport) ist mit zwei Punkten sehr gering.
Bianchis Verfolger standen jeweils schon zweimal in dieser Saison auf dem Podium und werden am Norisring beide versuchen, ihren ersten Sieg einzufahren. Das ist Bianchi bereits auf dem EuroSpeedway Lausitz gelungen. Der aktuell beste Rookie Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix) konnte zwar noch keinen Lauf der Euro Serie gewinnen, hat aber vor zwei Wochen das Masters of Formula 3, das wohl wichtigste Formel-3-Rennen Europas, für sich entschieden. Der Finne reist mit großem Selbstvertrauen nach Nürnberg und will seiner ersten Pole-Position, die er in der Lausitz eroberte, nun den ersten Sieg folgen lassen.
Marco Wittmann (Mücke Motorsport): „Ich wohne nur 40 Kilometer vom Norisring entfernt und freue mich wahnsinnig auf das Rennen. Die Atmosphäre in Nürnberg ist immer etwas Besonderes. Die Strecke sieht zwar einfach aus, ist es aber nicht. Jede Kurve hat ihre Tücken. Wichtig ist beispielsweise, den Ausgang der Duzendteichkurve gut zu erwischen, damit man Schwung auf die Gerade mitnimmt, aber auch die Bremspunkte immer möglichst genau zu treffen. Mein Ziel ist die Top 8 und das sollte auch möglich sein.“

www.f3euroseries.com

WTCC TO CELEBRATE 100th RACE IN PORTO

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The FIA World Touring Car Championship prepares to celebrate the 100th race since the series in 2005 was launched.
The second race in Porto, on July 5th, will mark this historical moment for the championship, four years and fifty race meetings after the inaugural event that took place at Monza on April 10th, 2005. Since then, the WTCC has constantly grown, becoming more and more attractive and establishing itself as one of the most spectacular, competitive and fans‘ favourite motorsports series.

"We are delighted to celebrate this 100th race, which marks a milestone in the history of our championship. We would like to associate to this jubilee date all partners, sponsors, circuit promoters as well as media who have supported our series since 2005. Special tribute shall be paid to the manufacturers, teams and drivers who provide close battles at each race meeting, offering the fans spectacular and action-packed shows," Marcello Lotti, Managing Director of KSO said.

Figures say it all about the continuous attractiveness and loyalty to the WTCC.
Three out of the four registered manufacturers competing in 2009 were already there in 2005: BMW, Chevrolet and SEAT (LADA only joined the championship this year), while 10 out of this year’s 28 drivers have taken part in all the events from Monza 2005 to Porto 2009.

Since its creation, the WTCC has steadily progressed in all fields, consolidating its strong position alongside the two other FIA World Championships as well as increasing its popularity worldwide. Some of the latest developments this year proved that WTCC plays a pioneering and innovative role in spreading its appeal to fans around the world: from its first successful visit to Africa (Marrakech), to the switch to second generation bio-fuel. The WTCC has also become the first-ever FIA World Championship produced in native High Definition.

All these innovations contribute to the growing popularity and success of the FIA WTCC. As a result, in 2008, a new TV audience record was set with a reach of 350 million viewers around the world throughout the season. In addition, 675,000 spectators enjoyed the races on site.
Like its tagline "Real Cars, Real Racing" implies, the WTCC offers thrilling racing and close competition. This is the reason why more and more motor sport fans around the world become addicted to this championship.

"We are very proud of the tremendous work we have done in the past years with all stakeholders, and we are looking forward to further developing the WTCC. We are building history and future of the world touring cars at the same time!" concluded Marcello Lotti.

www.fiawtcc.com

Vergangenheit trifft auf Zukunft

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833 logo

Laurens Vanthoor und Bas Leinders

(25.06.2009) Am vergangenen Rennwochenende des ATS Formel-3-Cup in Oschersleben trafen sie aufeinander: Bas Leinders und Laurens Vanthoor – der erste Belgier, der die Deutsche Formel-3-Meisterschaft gewinnen konnte und der vielleicht neue und jüngste Meister aus dem kleinen Benelux-Land. Leinders sicherte sich 1998 den Titel, jetzt, elf Jahre später ist Vanthoor der Favorit und auf einem sehr guten Weg den Formel-3-Cup für sich zu entscheiden. Dem 18-Jährige gelang in Oschersleben ein Doppelsieg – genau wie Leinders in seinem Titeljahr: ″Das war ein wichtiger Schritt für die Meisterschaft″, freute sich Laurens Vanthoor, als er am Parc Fermé seinen Landsmann begrüßte.
Wie Vanthoor heute war auch Leinders damals im Team von Van Amersfoort Racing an den Start gegangen. ″Elf Jahre sind eine lange Zeit, aber ich kann mich noch ganz gut an damals erinnern – ich wollte schon mein ganzes Leben Formelautos fahren″, erzählte der 33-Jähre. ″Die Formel 3 war für mich eine sehr gute Schule. Die Meisterschaft in Deutschland war schon zu meiner Zeit perfekt organisiert und van Amersfoort Racing zählt seit Jahren zu den Top-Teams.″ 2004 schaffte es Leinders sogar bis in die Formel 1 – als Testfahrer für das Minardi F1 Team.
Doch bis heute hat er die Formel 3 in Deutschland nicht aus den Augen verloren. ″Ich freue mich, dass der ATS Formel-3-Cup so gut funktioniert″, so der Belgier. ″Nicht nur, dass hier 22 Fahrzeuge am Start sind, auch die Fahrer sind sehr gut.″ Momentan startet Leinders in der FIA GT Championship mit einem Ford GT, der bereits nach dem neuen Reglement für 2010 gebaut wurde. Natürlich gratulierte auch Vanthoor nach dem Rennen seinem Landsmann. ″Bas gehört zu den bekanntesten Piloten in Belgien″, berichtet der 18-Jährige. ″Es wäre toll, wenn ich der nächste belgische Fahrer wäre, der sich den Formel-3-Titel holt.″
Sollte dies tatsächlich so kommen, dann stehen in der seit 1975 in Deutschland geführten Tabelle der Formel-3-Champions bereits drei belgische Piloten:
Bas Leinders 1988 – Van Amersfoort Racing Int. Deutsche Formel-3-Meisterschaft
Frédéric Vervisch 2008 – Jo Zeller Racing ATS Formel-3-Cup
Laurens Vanthoor 2009 – Van Amersfoort Racing ATS Formel-3-Cup

www.formel3.de

SONANGOL BECOMES SUPERLEAGUE FORMULA TITLE SPONSOR FOR 2009 AND 2010 SEASONS

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Superleague Formula enters a significant new era after concluding a two-year partnership with African oil giant Sonangol for title sponsorship of the prestigious race series that combines the very best of international motor sport action with the passion and fervor of world-class club football. The 2009 season kicks-off at Magny-Cours in France this weekend (27/28 June) and will be renamed ‘Superleague Formula by Sonangol’.
Sonangol is a global company responsible for petroleum and natural gas production in Angola. Following Angola’s independence from Portugal in 1975, Sonangol, the state owned company was formed in 1976 with a mandate to manage the country’s substantial oil and natural gas reserves. Despite having the government as the sole shareholder, Sonangol has always been governed as a private company and is under strict performance standards to ensure efficiency and productivity.

“We are delighted to be announcing this new relationship with Sonangol which comes on the eve of the start of our second season and will play a major part in the on-going development and growth of Superleague Formula,” said Alex Andreu, Superleague Formula President. “Sonangol is an ambitious company with global aspirations, so it’s a perfect match for Superleague Formula, which has very similar objectives. Over the next two years we will work closely together to develop both of our brands.”
Since its formation Sonangol has focused its resources on diversifying and expanding its business activities into new markets. Prioritizing the management of hydrocarbons, environmental protection and industrial safety, Sonangol has created a diversified business that is centered around oil. With headquarters in Luanda, Sonangol is proud to be a company with representations in the whole country. Overseas the company has offices in Democratic Congo, Sao Tome e Principe, Cape Vert, USA, England, Singapore and Chine. More than 10 subsidiaries and over 25 joint venture companies are now part of Sonangol Group.
“With a mixed economic status, Sonangol has expanded its core business into other activities and today is a self-made multinational company” explained Mr. Rosa Santos, Sonangol’s spokes person, “We are confident this important new relationship with Superleague Formula will provide us with the perfect platform not only to promote our current international status but also to help us to continue growing our global business in the future. The mix of premier league motor sport and famous football brands has immense appeal and huge potential. We are proud to be part of such an innovative sporting series and are looking forward to the first round of the 2009 ‘Superleague Formula by Sonangol’ in France on Sunday.” 

www.superleagueformula.com