Im Super Finale werden 5 Runden gefahren.Da Max 2 mal auf dem Podium stand kam Corinthians als Ersatz mit dazu.Zum ersten mal wurde dieses Finale mit einem stehenden Start durchgeführt.

Max erwischte einen Superstart und schon nach einer Runde hatte er einen beachtlichen Vorsprung.Diesen hielt er 3 Runden lang.Dann die Hiobsbotschaft " i dont can shift "! Er konnte nur mehr 4 Gänge benutzen.

So machte er fair Platz und ließ Rangers und Tottenham passieren.Mit Geschick rette er noch den 3.Platz.

"Es war ein grandioses Wochenende,und trotzdem bleibt ein kleines bißchen Wehmut.Anscheinend war das Glück im Team diesesmal komplett auf Basel fixiert denn wir wären hier sicher in der Lage gewesen beide Fahrzeuge ganz vorne zu plazieren.Aber wir sind natürlich Überglücklich!"so Günther Unterreitmeier.

Das nächste Rennen findet Anfang September in Estoril/Portugal statt.

Grandioses Wochenende ( Teil 2 )

Nachdem das Team etwas unmögliches geschafft hatte ( Motorwechsel in nur 90 minuten ) verpaßte man das Pitlane open nur um knapp 5 minuten.Damit mußte Davide von der Boxengasse aus starten und verlor seine gute Ausgangsposition.

Der Start verlief wie im ersten Rennen problemlos.Max und Davide waren am Ende des Feldes als erneut ein Unfall das Safteycar erforderte.Wie bereits beim ersten Rennen kam von Davide eine schlechte Meldung.Auch den Ingenieuren war anhand der Telemetriedaten bereits bekannt das ein elektronisches Problem vorhanden war.(leider wurde mit dem neuen Motor eine defekte Lichtmaschine geliefert)!

Somit konzentrierte sich das Rennen wieder ausschließlich auf Max.Er fuhr wieder konstand schnelle Rennrunden und ein erstklassiger Boxenstop spülten ihn nach vorne.Die taktische Frühstopentscheidung brachte letztlich den 3 Platz.Erstmalig schaffte ein Fahrer ein Podium in beiden Rennen.

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FC Basel claimed its maiden Superleague Formula by Sonangol victory by winning the opening race at Donington Park today.

The Swiss club’s Max Wissel (D) finished 2.18-secs ahead of the Glasgow Rangers machine of John Martin (AUS) in the 44 minute plus one-lap race around the 2.5 miles (4.02 km) parkland track in the Midlands area of Britain.

The heavy rain of yesterday which had caused qualifying to be abandoned – and cause minor damage to a section of the track – was thankfully replaced by sunny intervals encouraging a healthy crowd to attend.

Wissel took the opportunity to overtake Martin on lap 12 lap when the backmarker PSV Eindhoven car delayed Martin as the Australian attempted to lap the Dutch car.

SLF championship leader Adrián Vallés (SP), who started from his worst proper qualifying position of the season in 10th place, finished sixth – just a second behind the Tottenham Hotspur machine of Craig Dolby (GB).

The pole-starting Corinthians car of Antônio Pizzonia (BRA) finished third having led until pitting on lap nine but a slow compulsory pit-stop lost the Brazilian valuable time.

A second race, followed immediately by a Super Final, will be staged at the British venue later today with Flamengo’s Enrique Bernoldi (BRA) starting from pole-position after spinning out on the opening lap of race one which caused a brief Safety Car period which also saw the front-row starting Olympiacos machine of Davide Rigon (IT) retire with no oil pressure as the race resumed on lap five.

QUOTES:

FC Basel: Max Wissel (D)

“It’s a perfect result for FC Basel – I’m so happy for ‘my’ club. I pushed very hard but the car and pit-stop were all very good – I’m delighted.”

Glasgow Rangers: John Martin (AUS)

“I came out of the pits leading but was effectively robbed of a win due to a backmarker not getting out of the way. Nevertheless this is my second runners-up place in consecutive race weekends.”

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British club Glasgow Rangers made “home” advantage pay to become the €100,000 “Weekend Winner” when John Martin (AUS) netted the concluding Super Final race honours in the Superleague Formula by Sonangol at Donington Park in Britain today (2 August). It was the Scottish Premier League club and Australian driver’s maiden SLF race victory.
FC Basel (Max Wissel) and FC Porto (Tristan Gommendy) were victorious around the parkland 2.5-mile track in the British Midlands in the earlier races. Liverpool FC’s Adrián Vallés (SP) heads for the fourth round of the six-venue series in Portugal next month with a reduced 10-points lead now over Basel.

Race 1 – FC Basel On A Swiss Roll
Swiss club FC Basel and Max Wissel scored their maiden SLF wins when the German, the youngest driver in the SLF field, comfortably led home Rangers’ Martin.
Martin got stuck behind the third-placed but yet to pit PSV Eindhoven car allowing Wissel, who set the race’s fastest lap, to sweep ahead. Vallés, who started from his worst “proper” qualifying position of the season in 10th place, finished sixth – one second behind the Tottenham Hotspur machine of Craig Dolby (GB).
Meanwhile the pole-starting Corinthians car of Antônio Pizzonia finished third having led until pitting on lap nine but a slow pit-stop lost the Brazilian valuable time.
FC Basel: Max Wissel (D)
“It’s a perfect result for FC Basel – I’m so happy for ‘my’ club. I pushed very hard but the car and pit-stop were all very good – I’m delighted.”
Glasgow Rangers: John Martin (AUS)
“I came out of the pits leading but was effectively robbed of a win due to a backmarker not getting out of the way at a critical moment with Basel right behind me.”
Corinthians: Antônio Pizzonia (BRA)
“Until my pit-stop everything was good but there was a delay at my stop which cost me any chance of a win.”
Race 2 – FC Porto Heads Home Double Delight For Portugal
FC Porto scored its first victory of the season when Tristan Gommendy (F) scored his and the club’s second ever SLF victory, coming through from 10th on the grid.
Sporting Clube de Portugal’s Pedro Petiz (POR) did well to fend off a hard-charging, back row starting FC Basel for second place in the latter stages of the race to earn Portugal a magnificent 1-2.
Flamengo (Enrique Bernoldi) had started from pole, after spinning out on the opening lap of race one, while the cars of Rangers and AC Milan collided causing a Safety Car period. Olympiacos (Davide Rigon) started from the pit-lane when he was unable to take up his front row slot when work on replacing the engine overran – but retired early – while RSC Anderlecht (Yelmer Buurman) non-started due to a gearbox issue with Flamengo retiring after a slow stop.
FC Porto: Tristan Gommendy (F)
“To get a victory again for Porto, and the first for this season, is fantastic. The car was very good. I gave it 100% and it all came together for me.”
Sporting Clube de Portugal: Pedro Petiz (POR)
“The previous races at Zolder had been a nightmare so to get a second place here is incredible. I had to handle the pressure from Basel.”
FC Basel: Max Wissel (D)
“To come from the back of the grid to third place is truly unbelievable. I am now second in the series – just 10pts behind Adrián Vallés so I think the next races in Portugal will be interesting.”
Super Final – Quick Repair Hands Maiden SLF Win To Glasgow Rangers and Martin  
FC Basel lined-up in “pole” for the five-lap “dash for cash”, the Rangers car fully repaired after its race two collision while Spurs claimed a place in the six-car line-up due to Basel, third in race two, having already qualified for the Super Final courtesy of victory in race one.
Basel led initially before a gearbox problem on lap three allowed Rangers in to the lead, Tottenham also taking second from the Swiss club on the same lap. The two Portuguese cars collided on lap two while Corinthians briefly went off the track in a separate incident. Wissel salvaged third place, 6.210secs behind Rangers at the chequered flag.
Glasgow Rangers: John Martin (AUS)
“This victory is very sweet. The team did an awesome job after my accident in race two – taking just half the time to repair it would normally. The car wasn’t perfect but it was still good enough to win!”
Tottenham Hotspur: Craig Dolby (GB)
“I’d only previously ever done a race standing start in a much less powerful car so that in itself was an interesting feature of the Super Final for me. I’m remain third in the championship standings, but now only 21pts off the lead, so to finish second in this race completes a great weekend for me.”
FC Basel: Max Wissel (D)
“I had the speed to win but the gearbox pressure died and I was left in fourth gear for a short while. This result is disappointing but in general it’s been a great weekend.”

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SC Corinthians will start the opening Superleague Formula by Sonangol race at Donington Park tomorrow from pole-position (2 Aug) after qualifying was abandoned due to a flooded track this afternoon.
The Brazilian club’s Antônio Pizzonia (BRA) headed the time trials in the opening Group A session staged on a dry track but rain midway through the session sent all cars in to the pits.
The following Group B qualifiers, now fitted with wet tyres as conditions quickly deteriorated, was headed by Olympiacos’ Davide Rigon (IT) – the defending SLF champion and a winner of the corresponding Donington race last August.

Quarter-final 1 was held in heavy rain and poor visibility forcing the organisers to suspend then ultimately abandon the following time trials due to the dangerous conditions on the 2.5 miles (4.02 km) parkland track.
The 18-car grid will line-up for tomorrow’s opening 44min plus one lap race in the order cars achieved in the opening 15-minute, Group A and B time trials. The nine GpA cars will take the “pole” side of the grid behind Pizzonia with Rigon alongside on the front row heading the GpB runners down the other side.
Three British soccer clubs, Glasgow Rangers, Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur, plus two British drivers, Jonathan Kennard and Scott Mansell, aim for “home rule” at Donington – the only British venue in the series.
The Rangers car of John Martin (AUS) starts from fifth place, Tottenham Hotspur’s Craig Dolby – who lives in nearby Leicestershire – from sixth alongside on the third row and championship leading Liverpool FC’s Adrian Vallés (SP), from 10th position.
AS Roma’s Jonathan Kennard and Galatasaray’s Scott Mansell are placed seventh and 17th respectively on the colourful grid.
The drivers of PSV Eindhoven and FC Porto, along with the British club trio, wore black armbands in respect of Sir Robert William "Bobby" Robson CBE, who died yesterday (31 Jul) aged 76 after a long battle with cancer. He managed the Dutch (1990-92/98-99) and Portuguese (1994-6) league clubs as well as the England “national” soccer team (1982-90).

QUALIFYING QUOTES:

Corinthians: Antônio Pizzonia (BRA)
“It has been a very good day for us. It’s my second ‘pole’ in three races. We were strong in our dry qualifying session but the car was also good in the wet practice earlier in the day. So, rain or shine, I am very positive for tomorrow.”
Olympiacos CFP: Davide Rigon (ITA)
“I was on the limit – the conditions were bad but honestly I hope the rain stays. I will be happier for a wet race. I won here last year – I like this track a lot – and starting from the front row I have a very good chance of scoring my second podium of the season.”
FC Basel: Max Wissel (D)
“I was just 0.039secs slower than Antônio so I know I have the pace in the dry while I was fourth fastest in a wet practice so it seems that whatever the conditions we have a well-balanced car so things are looking good for FC Basel.”

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Sevilla FC will replace the entry previously fielded by Al Ain who, after having participated in the first two races and made one podium in Zolder, won’t be racing for the rest of this season.
Spanish League outfit Sevilla will return to Superleague Formula this season. The team’s colours were not present on the grid during the opening races at Magny Cours (France) and Zolder (Belgium), but will be back for the third round of the championship which takes place this weekend at British circuit, Donington Park. The Andalucian team’s car will be driven by a man who has proved to be a revelation so far this season, the Argentine driver Esteban Guerrieri. The young South American was the find of the weekend at Zolder where he won the second race, his maiden career victory in the category at his first Superleague Formula weekend.

The arrival of Sevilla FC sees the club further boosting the Spanish presence in Superleague Formula, which includes the undisputed leader of the series, the Alicante-born Adrián Vallés, who was the winner of both race weekends, held so far.
For José María del Nido, President of the Sevilla FC, the club’s return to Superleague Formula is one of the biggest events of the summer for both the team and the city.
“To be back in Superleague Formula is as big a message as we can give, not just to the fans of Sevilla but to the entire city of Sevilla. The colours of our club will again project the name and image of the city to an international audience. Sevilla Football Club has successfully showcased the name of the city at the biggest sporting events in the world and now it’s time to promote the city at the best circuits in Europe,” said the Sevilla President.
“The presence of a young Argentine driver at the wheel of our car helps to underline the international impact of our colours and our team, which is greatly admired at a world level by many players who want to wear the shirt of Sevilla FC. The famous Argentine passion coupled with a love of football and motorsport, will make it interesting to follow our car in the coming races. This young driver is following in the footsteps of some of the legends of Argentine motorsport such as Fangio, González and Reutemann. We hope that the first of many trophies to be won by Sevilla both on the pitch and on the track, will be secured on Sunday by Esteban Guerreri at the wheel of our car.”

www.superleagueformula.com

"Wir gehen gut vorbereitet nach England und freuen uns auf den Besuch auf der Insel" so die Auskunft des Teams.Donnerstag und Freitag stehen im Zeichen der Aufbau und Vorbereitungsarbeiten.Samstag finden dann 3 freie Trainings und das Qualifying statt.Am Sonntag gibt es dann wieder 3 Rennen.Die Superleaguerennen können über LiveStream unter www.superleagueformula.com verfolgt werden.Mehr dann direkt aus Donnington.

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This year’s thrilling Superleague Formula by Sonangol is living up to all expectations according to Competitions Director, Robin Webb. As the six-round football-themed race series reaches its halfway point at Donington Park in the UK on 1/2 August, four different clubs – Liverpool, AC Milan, Tottenham Hotspur and Al-Ain – have scored victories in the opening four races of the season.
The unpredictability of the racing is just one of the championship’s many attractions according to Webb. “Last year no fewer than eight clubs won races and, if anything, it’s looking even more competitive in 2009,” reports a delighted Webb. “The variety of winners is very appealing to all involved but that’s what we set out to create. The cars are technically identical and therefore very closely matched and the reverse grid that we use for the second race tends to mix things up giving others a chance of victory. The best drivers, though, still come out on top as they have to score as many points as they can often in two very different races: one which they start from the front, the other from the back.”

The reverse grid format is another of Superleague Formula’s great successes providing fans with plenty of excitement as the faster cars from race one attempt to battle their way back to the front.
“We purposely designed the aerodynamics to allow the cars to run close together and thus allow for plenty of overtaking. What’s more each driver has a special ‘push-to-pass’ button giving him an additional 50bhp for 15 seconds. This can be employed up to eight times during each race.”
With the glorious sounding Superleague V12 engines already producing more than 750bhp, the ‘push-to-pass’ mode gives drivers in excess of 800bhp. “Fans at Donington are certainly in for some fast furious action – more so as local favourites Liverpool and Spurs are among this year’s front-runners and Rangers has also looked capable of winning. It’s going to be another great weekend,” concludes Webb.
Sunday’s non-stop on-track entertainment includes two Superleague Formula highlights plus a five lap Super Final which sees the top three finishers from both races shoot it out to decide the overall ‘Weekend Winner’ plus the destination of the €100,000 top prize. There’s a full support race programme, too, including the FIA Historic Formula One Championship, MSA British Super Kart Championship as well as the very best of sportscar and saloon car contests – a high-octane feast of entertainment is guaranteed.
Adding to local interest, Birmingham’s Scott Mansell replaces Duncan Tappy in the Galatasaray entry while Zolder winner Esteban Guerrieri moves from Al-Ain to Sevilla who returns to the series as from this fourth round.
Advance adult tickets are £10 (Saturday), £15 (Sunday) or £20 (weekend ticket). Tickets can be purchased from the Donington Museum (open seven days a week, 9-5pm) or on-line at www.donington-park.co.uk

www.superleagueformula.com

In Zolder sollte an das gute Vorergebnis angeknüpft werde.Hochmotiviert und durch die guten Erfahrungen vom letzten Jahr wollte man unbedingt ein erfolgreiches Wochenende.Bei der Gruppeneinteilung erwischte Max die Gruppe A und Davide Gruppe B.Max ging sehr spät auf die Strecke und qualifizierte sich nach nur 3 schnellen Runde für das Shoot out.Als 3ter seiner Gruppe beendete er das Quali.Davide dagegen hatte Pech.Der Fahrer von Lyon behinderte ihn in seiner schnellen Runde und es kam zum crash.Er mußte auf P5 liegend das Shoot out als Zuseher verfolgen.Im Virtelfinale mußte Max gegen Totenham Hotspures antreten.Mit 2 Zentel Vorsprung konnte er dieses für sich entscheiden,dabei fuhr er sogar die Tagesbestzeit.Im Halbfinale stand dann der FC Mityland als Gegner bereit.Ein taktischer Fehler verhinderte jedoch einen Sieg.Somit blieb für Ihn Startplatz 3.Davide wurde nachträglich um 7 Startplätze strafversetzt.(Unserer Meinung nach eine Fehlentscheidung)Das Rennen began für Max damit von P3 und Davide von P16.Max büßte beim Sart einen Platz ein und jagte den FC Liverpool vor sich her.Auch ein guter Boxenstop konnte ihm nicht helfen.Mehrfach setzte er zum Überholen an,kam aber nicht vorbei.Max fuhr dabei die schnellste Rennrunde.Am Ende belegte er P 4 und Davide P 10.Im 2.Rennen startete Davide von P6 und Max von P15.Bei noch naßer Strecke fuhren alle mit Regenreifen.Davide konnte dabei schnell auf P 4 vorstoßen während Max mit grandiosen Überholmanövern auf dem Weg nach vorne war.Ein Unfall und das Saftycar verhinderten ein weiteres Vorkommen.Während sämtliche Fahrer während der Saftycarphase auf Slicks wechselten verpaßte es Max´s Ingenieur.Er dachte an eine längere Phase und wurde von der schnellen Beendigung überrascht.Damit mußte Max wechseln während alle anderen bereits wieder schnell unterwegs waren seine Reifen wechseln.Trotz hervorragender Pitcrew verlor er wertvolle Zeit.Am Ende des Feldes mußte er sich wieder einreihen.Es gelang ihm aber durch beherztes Fahren erneut bis auf P8 vorzustoßen.Davide kämpfte unterdes wie bereits im ersten Rennen Max mit dem FC Liverpool um P3 konnte jedoch nicht überholen und beendete auf P4 das Rennen." Da war heute mehr drin!"So H.G. Wissel der Teammanager und G.Unterreitmerer ergänzt:"Unsere Autos und Fahrer haben den speed Rennen zu gewinnen,wir müßen an unserer Taktik arbeiten dann sind Siege machbar!"

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• Vuelta rápida en entrenamientos libres

• Vuelta rápida en clasificatorias

• Podio en la primera carrera

• Podio en la segunda carrera

• Ganador absoluto del fin de semana

• Líder destacado del Campeonato

El piloto valenciano ha dado un golpe de autoridad en el circuito belga convirtiéndose en la referencia indiscutible del campeonato.

Durante todo el fin de semana, Adrián ha marcado la pauta a seguir. Dominador absoluto de los entrenamientos libres, con el tiempo mas rápido y ocupando la primera plaza en dos de las tres sesiones, volvió a marcar la vuelta rápida de las clasificatorias presentándose en segunda línea de parrilla a la primera carrera.

Ya antes del cambio de ruedas, Adrián ocupaba la primera plaza aunque tuvo retrasar dos vueltas su entrada al calar su compañero de escudería el motor durante su cambio. Esto provocó además una perdida de tres segundos a Adrián por tener que dar otra vuelta detrás de un piloto en vuelta de salida. Al salir nuevamente a pista ocupaba el tercer lugar, que supo mantener inteligentemente hasta la línea de llegada.

En la segunda carrera del día saldría en el puesto 16 de parrilla, protagonizando una remontada espectacular gracias a su gran trabajo en pista y de la estrategia del equipo ganando seis puestos en el cambio de ruedas. Finalmente ocupó el tercer cajón del podio, rubricando así un fin de semana de ensueño con una remontada de trece posiciones.

La suma de los puntos conseguidos en las dos carreras le convirtió en el ganador absoluto del fin de semana.

Adrián Vallés:

“Ha sido un fin de semana redondo, hemos sumado mas puntos incluso que en la carrera de Magny Cours, con lo que salimos reforzados al máximo para afrontar la carrera “de casa” en Donington Park el próximo 2 de agosto.

El equipo ha trabajado impecablemente, desde los ingenieros hasta el último de los mecánicos han sabido aportar lo necesario en cada momento para poner el mejor coche posible en pista, es un verdadero privilegio poder trabajar con un equipo tan profesional y centrado en la carrera.

Hay una igualdad tremenda entre los equipos, no hay más que ver como este fin de semana han sido otros los que han estado conmigo en el podio respecto a la carrera de Magny Cours. Estar siempre arriba al pasar meta debe ser nuestro objetivo y será lo que nos pueda dar el campeonato.”

“Weekend Winner” honours went to Liverpool FC when Adrián Vallés (SP) placed third in both the first and second races of the Superleague Formula by Sonangol at Zolder today (19 Jul) after out-scoring the opposition to collect the €100,000 top-prize.
Tottenham Hotspur and Al Ain won the two 44min plus one lap races at the Belgian venue courtesy of Craig Dolby (GB) and series newcomer Esteban Guerrieri (ARG). Liverpool’s Vallés heads for Donington Park (UK) next month (1-2 Aug) leading the 6-rounds series by 24-points from Al Ain with Spurs, second and third respectively in the “weekend winner” contest for the highest combined points scorers from both races, a further seven points adrift.
RSC Anderlecht, the Belgian club in the single-seater series representing world-famous soccer clubs, netted eighth and 14th places and now lies 12th in the standings – Yelmer Buurman (NED) having begun the weekend second.
Interested spectators amongst the 12,000 crowd at Zolder included RSC Anderlecht players Cheikhou Kouyaté, Romelu Lukaku and Kanu, PSV Eindhoven’s Timmy Simons and Carlos Salcido plus Olympique Lyonnais President Jean-Michel Aulas.

Race 1 – British Clubs To The Fore In Opening Belgian Encounter
Tottenham Hotspur’s Craig Dolby scored his and the British club’s maiden SLF victory when he led home the Glasgow Rangers machine of SLF “rookie” John Martin (AUS). Championship leader Adrián Vallés (SP) made it a 1-2-3 for British clubs in the Liverpool FC car.
Pole-sitter FC Midtylland’s Kasper Andersen (DEN) led until stalling his engine during his compulsory pit-stop at mid-distance and later spun out of the race bringing out the Safety Car for a second time after an opening lap, first corner accident eliminated the Sporting Clube de Portugal, SC Corinthians and Atlético de Madrid cars.
Race 1 – Quotes
Tottenham Hotspur: Craig Dolby (GB)
“It’s a fantastic maiden SLF win for Tottenham Hotspur and for me. My car’s rear diffuser was broken at the first corner melee. I just pushed as hard as I could and my team did a great pit-stop.”
Glasgow Rangers: John Martin (AUS)
“I lost time during the pit-stop when the car slipped off the front jack – just like at Magny Cours. Without that problem we’d have been challenging the Spurs car for the win.”
Liverpool FC: Adrián Vallés (SP)
“Importantly I extended my championship lead. The start was crazy but I was catching FC Midtylland before he pitted but then his problem in the pits delayed my stop ‘window’ – it was a race I could have won”.
Race 2 – Al Ain Claims Second SLF Win After Late Race Pass
Al Ain’s Estaban Guerrieri (ARG) scored his first SLF race win in only his second race when he slipped ahead of the Athlético de Madrid car of Ho-Pin Tung (CHN) with five laps remaining. Adrián Vallés (SP) further enhanced his series lead with third place, the Spaniard having to forcefully keep the Olympiacos car of Davide Rigon (IT) behind.
The race began behind the Safety Car on a wet but drying track with the entire 18-car field on wet weather tyres. Flamengo and Galatasaray were early casualties while Sporting Clube de Portugal crashed heavily into the tyre wall on lap nine bringing out the Safety Car and a flurry of compulsory pit-stop activity where the cars switched to dry weather, slick tyres.
Race 2 Quotes:
Al-Ain FC: Esteban Guerrieri (ARG)
“I started race two from 13th place on the grid having finished sixth on my SLF race début – despite a spin. I’m delighted with this result and for Al Ain and absolutely love these cars.”
Atlético de Madrid: Ho-Pin Tung (CHN)
“The team did a fantastic job to repair my car after the damage received following the first corner shunt in the opening race. I wanted it to remain wet but it dried and that was not so good for our car. Nevertheless second place is a good result taking into account everything.
Liverpool FC: Adrián Vallés (SP)
“The team worked a good strategy – stopping me early for ‘slicks’ and it was just a case of defending my third place from Olympiacos as I was on ‘old’ tyres from race one. I’m very, very happy with this weekend. To go to Liverpool’s ‘home’ race leading the championship is a perfect scenario” 
Next races: Donington Park, England (1-2 Aug)

www.superleagueformula.com

FC Midtjylland lines-up in pole-position for the third round of the 2009 Superleague Formula by Sonangol at Zolder tomorrow (19 July).
Kasper Andersen (DEN) came away victorious for the Danish “rookie” SLF club by narrowly defeating the Glasgow Rangers machine of John Martin (AUS) in the Qualifying Final at the Belgian venue today (18 July).
Anderssen set a fastest time of 1min 19.878secs in the two-car Final – just 0.078secs faster around the 3.977 km (2.471-mile) Flemmish track than Martin. For 24-year-old Kasper, who contested eight SLF races for Olympiacos last year, it marked his maiden SLF “pole”.
Losing semi-finalists FC Basel and Liverpool FC complete the second row of the 18-car grid in the hands of Max Wissel (D) and Adrián Vallés (SP) respectively after today’s 90-minute qualifying session staged in dry, overcast and cool weather conditions.

Vallés, who leads the SLF championship after a win and sixth place in the opening races at Magny Cours, won the corresponding weather-affected race at Zolder last October.
“Home” club RSC Anderlecht starts the opening 44mins + 1 lap race from 10th place with Yelmer Buurman (NED) aiming to snatch the championship lead. The Dutchman posted second and fifth places in France three weeks ago and currently lies second, just two-points behind Liverpool.
Meanwhile Dominick Muermans starts the opening race from the back of the grid after crashing the PSV Eindhoven car out of qualifying in the early stages. The Dutchman, who had celebrated his 25th birthday the previous day, was uninjured after impacting the barriers at slow speed.
The Olympique Lyonnais and Olympiacos CFP cars of Nelson Panciatici (F) and Davide Rigon (IT), the latter also a victory at Zolder last year – collided in the Group B session with Rigon collecting a six-place penalty for the manoeuvre.
QUALIFYING QUOTES:
FC Midtylland: Kasper Andersen (DEN)
“I’m very proud to have achieved Midtylland’s first SLF ‘pole’ in only its second qualifying session. It’s also my first SLF ‘pole’ so it’s doubly special for me. I must concentrate on the race – stay totally focussed tomorrow and do a good job for the club and the team.” 
Glasgow Rangers: John Martin (AUS)
“Magny Cours did not go well and so to earn a front row grid position in our own right is a good reward for the team who have worked very hard. It was almost ‘pole’ – it was very close at the end. I’m currently at the bottom of the standings so my aim is to score well in tomorrow’s two races.”
Liverpool FC: Adrián Vallés (SP)
“I was fastest in yesterday’s practice but the grip level wasn’t the same today. I was quickest in Group B but then perhaps a set of tyres wasn’t quite so good. We must now check the data but anyway, the car will be good for the race and my main title rivals did not have a good qualifying.”
FC Basel: Max Wissel (D)
“I’m very happy. I had a flat spot in one of the sessions – the vibration was so bad that I couldn’t see the track properly. But that was my mistake for ‘locking up’ – the car was perfect and I feel it was good enough for ‘pole’ today. I’m looking forward to the races.”

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Championship leaders Liverpool FC set the early pace as the 2009 Superleague Formula by Sonangol revved up for this weekend’s showdowns at the Zolder circuit in Belgium. Friday’s timetable provided the 18 famous soccer clubs contesting the football-themed series with three 30-minute Free Practice sessions in the build up to Saturday’s all-important qualifying and Sunday’s two races.
Spanish striker Adrian Vallés put Liverpool on top of the combined time sheets by setting the fastest lap time in the third of today’s sessions, Vallés was also quickest in the first session while Kasper Andersen was fastest in the second session for impressive Danish newcomers FC Midtjylland.
Vallés, who won one of the corresponding races at Zolder last year, commented: "I’m pleased with the start we have made at Zolder – of course it’s good to be fastest but I’m certain our rivals will be working hard on their cars overnight to close the gap."
Predictably, as the teams perfected the set-up on their V12 powered single-seater race cars, the final session saw the fastest times. Galatasaray (Duncan Tappy) and Al Ain (Esteban Guerrieri) were second and third fastest in the this session and overall.

Though second in the overall points standings after two strong performances at Magny-Cours, local favourite RSC Anderlecht was down in 13th place. The Brussels-based club will be looking for a significant improvement overnight before the real action starts in the hunt for points and prizes.
Championship points awarded in the two dramatic 44+1 minute Superleague Formula showdowns will be added together with the highest overall scorer winning the €100,000 top prize, €70,000 will go to the second highest points scorer and €40,000 to the third.
As well as the pair of Superleague Formula highlights, Zolder’s spectacular weekend schedule features no fewer than 11 support races with rounds of the EuroBoss F1, Dutch Super Car and Formula Ford Benelux championships also in action. Following Superleague Formula’s practice and qualifying sessions on the Saturday, great value is guaranteed – adult entrance tickets for Sunday are priced at just €20 (children under 12 are free) and all admission includes access to the Superleague Formula paddock.
2009 ‘Superleague Formula by Sonangol’ Free Practice (Zolder – 17 July, 2009)
1. Liverpool FC  (Adrian Vallés): 1m 18.867s
2. Galatasaray (Duncan Tappy): 1m 19.689s
3. FC Midtjylland  (Kasper Andersen): 1m 19.821s
4. Al-Ain (Esteban Guerrieri): 1m 19.830s
5. FC Porto  (Tristan Gommendy): 1m 20.073s
6. AC Milan (Giorgio Pantano): 1m 20.685s
7. Tottenham Hotspur (Craig Dolby): 1m 21.022s
8. Sporting Clube de Portugal (Pedro Petiz): 1m 21.062s
9. Rangers FC (John Martin): 1m 21.301s
10. Olympique Lyonnais (Nelson Panciatici): 1m 21.431
11. Olympiacos (Davide Rigon): 1m 21.471s
12. FC Basel (Max Wissel): 1m 21.473s
13. RSC Anderlecht (Yelmer Buurman): 1m 21.695s
14. Corinthians (Antonio Pizzonia): 1m 21.936s
15. Flamengo (Enrique Bernoldi): 1m 22.197s
16. Athlético Madrid (Ho-Pin Tung): 1m 22.272s
17. AS Roma (Jonathan Kennard): 1m 22.388s
18. PSV Eindhoven (Dominick Muermans): no time

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LIVERPOOL FLY FLAG INS STYLE FOR BRITAIN IN OPENING SUPERLEAGUE RACES

The power of top class motor sport plus the passion of football arrives in Belgium next weekend (18/19 July) when the 2009 Superleague Formula by Sonangol headlines at the Zolder circuit.
UEFA Champions League giants Liverpool FC and AC Milan were the teams to beat in the opening rounds staged at the Magny-Cours circuit in France last month. However, raising hopes of a home win at Zolder, Brussels-based RSC Anderlecht holds a strong second place in the overall standings after strong showings in both those first two races from the club’s Dutch driver Yelmer Buurman.

Buurman, 22, was runner-up in the inaugural Superleague Formula championship when racing for PSV Eindhoven in 2008. Having switched clubs over the winter, he’s determined to mount another serious title bid in 2009. And where better to score his first win for his new club than in front of the local Anderlecht supporters at Zolder.
“I’m sure there will be lots of fans there and I’m confident we will be able to give them something to cheer,” said Buurman. “There’s always pressure but racing for Anderlecht in Belgium will be a bit different and very special. This deal only came together just before the first race, so I’m very encouraged by what we achieved in France. It sets us up well for the rest of the season.”
Once home to the Belgian Grand Prix, Zolder is one of six famous European F1 circuits on the 2009 Superleague Formula calendar. It’s also one of Buurman’s favourites.
“We are only two points behind the leaders and Zolder is one of my favourite tracks. I’ve raced there many times in the past and it’s a good circuit,” he continued. “Despite some technical issues during qualifying, I scored a podium at Zolder last year for PSV and hopefully can do even better for Anderlecht this time.”
Championship points awarded in the two dramatic 44+1 minute Superleague Formula showdowns will be added together with the highest overall scorer winning the €100,000 top prize, €70,000 will go to the second highest points scorer and €40,000 to the third.
As well as the pair of Superleague Formula highlights, Zolder’s spectacular weekend schedule features no fewer than 11 support races with rounds of the EuroBoss F1, Dutch Super Car and Formula Ford Benelux championships also in action. Following Superleague Formula’s practice and qualifying sessions on the Saturday, great value is guaranteed – adult entrance tickets for Sunday are priced at just €20 (children under 12 are free) and all admission includes access to the Superleague Formula paddock.

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El Liverpool FC lidera la clasificación de Superleague Formula by Sonangol que afrontará los próximos días 18 y 19 de julio su segunda cita de la temporada en el Bélgica, en el circuito de Zolder.
Mientras la colorida parrilla de Superleague Formula, conformada por idénticos monoplazas de 750 caballos de potencia y motores V12 – cada uno de ellos representando a uno de los 18 clubes de fútbol más famosos del mundo – llega a Zolder, el Liverpool FC ostenta una ventaja de dos puntos sobre el equipo local, el RSC Anderlecht, y el AC Milan.

El Liverpool FC ganó la primera de las dos carreras que se disputaron en Francia a finales del pasado mes de junio, además del premio de 100,000€ en la Super Final. Aquel fue un gran día para el varias veces Campeón de la UEFA Champions League y para su piloto español, Adrián Vallés.
“Magny-Cours fue realmente positivo para nosotros,” aseguraba el piloto alicantino de 23 años. “El coche respondió muy bien y el equipo hizo un gran trabajo. Todos en el club están muy satisfechos con nuestra victoria, así que fue magnífico para todos. ”
Tras haberse quedado muy cerca de conquistar la corona de Superleague Formula para el Liverpool el año pasado, Vallés sabe perfectamente lo que se necesita para aspirar al título en un campeonato tan innovador que cuenta con un sistema de calificación único, además de revertir la parrilla para la segunda carrera en función de los resultados de la primera. “El objetivo es ser consistentes y ganar cuando podamos,” decía. “Tenemos un buen coche, así que debemos sumar tantos puntos como sea posible en Zolder para intentar conservar el liderato en el Campeonato.”
El rápido piloto español guarda muy buenos recuerdos de su visita a Bélgica el año pasado con Superleague Formula. Vallés lo recuerda: “Conseguí mi primera victoria para el Liverpool en Zolder el año pasado – el coche funcionó realmente bien. En la segunda carrera tomamos la salida desde atrás al haber ganado la primera, pero aún así finalicé sexto. Espero que podamos hacer algo similar este año.”

Superleague Formula is set to move up yet another gear with the launch of its first official videogame in September.
Now poised to kick off its second season, Superleague Formula is the only competition in the world to unite premier league quality motor sport with top football brands. The series features a grid of powerful single-seater racing cars – all representing many of the world’s most famous football clubs – competing for top honours on the race track. This year’s championship takes place between June and November with races in France, Belgium, United Kingdom, Portugal, Italy and Spain. Among those celebrated clubs competing for outright glory are former UEFA Champions League winners Liverpool FC and AC Milan.
As on the race circuit, the exciting new Superleague Formula video game will combine the passion of football with the speed, excitement and emotion of car racing to produce a product with genuine appeal to the millions of global gamers already enjoying top selling football and motor sport games.

Renowned specialists Media Game and Image Space Incorporated are masterminding the development and subsequent launch of the official video game. ISI has a wealth of experience – its portfolio of video games already includes rFactor, F1 Challenge and NASCAR Thunder. The exciting new game will be introduced in September and will be distributed online for PCs from the official Superleague Formula website: www.superleagueformula.com
“We are delighted to have concluded this significant deal with such proven experts,” said Superleague Formula President, Alex Andreu. “Football and motor sport games are among the most popular titles right around the world and we’re confident that our game will be a huge hit with all gamers. It will not only provide extra excitement to existing Superleague Formula followers and fans of those clubs competing in our championship but also it will help us to spread the Superleague gospel to important new global audiences.”

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