CORINTHIANS FANS GET THEIR CHANCE TO SEE SUPERLEAUE IN BRAZIL
Superleague Formula returns to the football-mad country
of Brazil this week with Corinthians fans getting their chance
to see their 750 horsepower, V-12 powered machine for the
first time.
The Corinthians Superleague Formula entry will be revealed
to the fans on Sunday prior to the game against arch-rivals
and fellow São Paulo club, Palmeiras. Corinthians becomes
the second Brazilian club to launch an assault on the Superleague
Formula championship – Rio-based rivals Flamengo kicked
off their assault on the series at a major launch in December
last year.
The two Brazilian clubs will be looking to follow in the
footsteps of their national football team which has claimed
five World Cup trophies. With the majority of the Brazilian
football season taking place during the European summer, Corinthians
and Flamengo do not regularly get the opportunity to challenge
their European rivals in any sporting competition.
Superleague Formula however, will enable both clubs to compete
against the world’s biggest names in 12 races, split
over six rounds starting from August this year.
With São Paulo also the home of the internationally
renowned Interlagos circuit, the combination of football and
motorsport is an ideal mix for the São Paulo market.
“The mix of football and motorsport is perfect for
São Paulo and I believe our two Brazilian clubs are
going to be two of the most heavily supported in our championship,”
said Alex Andreu, Superleague Formula President and CEO.
“We will have a race within the race as the far as
Brazilian fans are concerned. The inter-country rivalry will
be enormous in Brazil and I am sure our friends at Corinthians
will be doing their utmost to topple their Rio rivals –
and vice versa.
“Our Flamengo launch last year demonstrated the passion
for our product in this part of the world. We quickly realised
it was vital for our championship to include both a Rio and
São Paulo club in the series.”
The pair of Brazilian rivals will fight it out with European
clubs AC Milan, Olympiacos, FC Porto, PSV Eindhoven, Borussia
Dortmund, RSC Anderlecht, FC Basel and Sevilla FC.
In total, 20 leading international football clubs will do
battle for 1 million euro prizemoney at the six Superleague
Formula rounds in 2008. The new Superleague Formula car ran
for the first time this week in the UK and is due to begin
major on-track testing and development next week.
Corinthians earned the FIFA World Club Championship crown
in 2000, taking the first ever title awarded when they toppled
Vasco da Gama on penalties (4-3) at Rio's Maracana Stadium.
The club has four Brazilian Serie A titles to its credit,
the most recent being in 2005. They also won the Brazilian
Cup in 1995 and 2002 and the Brazilian Supercup in 1991. On
their home turf in São Paulo – Corinthians have
earned the state championship on 25 occasions.
“Since the announcement of Corinthians joining the
Superleague Formula championship, our fans have been eagerly
awaiting the opportunity to see the car for the first time,”
Corinthians Chairman Andrés Sanchez said.
“Sunday will be a great opportunity to see the black
and white colours on this beautiful car. The people of São
Paulo passionately follow both football and motorsport –
this is now a beautiful moment for them.
“We can’t wait to see our car doing battle with
some of the biggest names in international football. We not
only want to beat our rivals from Rio, but also ensure Corinthians
are battling for the championship against the other great
clubs from around the world.”
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