HITECH TO RUN SUPERLEAGUE FORMULA PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT
 Reigning
British Formula 3 champions Hitech Racing have been entrusted
with role of developing the new Superleague Formula car –
a task that kicks off this week in the UK.
Built by Elan Motorsport Technologies in the US, the new
car will be powered by a 750 horsepower, V-12 engine designed
and built by Menard Competition Technologies in the UK.
After successful dyno testing last week, the V-12 has been
fitted to the Superleague Formula chassis ready for its first
run tomorrow.
The car will conduct straight line testing this week before
hitting the track for the first time at Donington Park next
week.
Formed in 2003 by experience Formula 3 team manager David
Hayle, Hitech’s past driver roster has included Renault
F1 test driver Lucas Di Grassi and Estonian Marko Asmer –
the newly appointed BMW F1 test driver who earned the team’s
first British F3 championship last year.
“I have been talking with Robin Webb at Superleague
Formula over the past couple of years and we were originally
discussing the possibility of running a team in the series
– that evolved into the idea of overseeing the test
programme for the car.” Hayle said.
“The Superleague Formula car looks fantastic. Everyone
involved in the project have done a really good job and I
am very impressed with the entire package. The design of the
car has been very well thought through by Elan and it is all
coming together quite well.
“We are really looking forward to the Superleague Formula
development programme – it is a great extension of the
work we undertake in Formula 3 where we run wind tunnel programmes,
simulations, transmission development and tyre development
programmes.
“It is a different challenge for us because we are
putting together a kit of parts which is going remain for
the entire championship. Our goal is to iron out any possible
bugs, develop a strong base set up and ensure excellent reliability.”
The Superleague Formula prototype will undertake six, three
day tests in southern Europe over the next four months before
the final 20 cars are assembled at Elan’s UK base at
Van Dieman Motorsports in Norfolk.
Superleague Formula will feature 20 cars on the grid bearing
the colours of the world’s leading football clubs. Already,
European clubs AC Milan, Olympiacos, FC Porto, PSV Eindhoven,
Borussia Dortmund, RSC Anderlecht, FC Basel, Galatasaray and
Sevilla FC have joined the championship as well as Brazilian
heavyweights, Flamengo and Corinthians.
Hayle is looking forward to the on-track debut of the Superleague
Formula car, a machine that he believes drivers are going
to find both challenging and rewarding.
“The Superleague Formula car is going to be a beast
to drive – a huge challenge to even the best drivers,”
Hayle said.
“There is a lot of horsepower, no traction control
and no real driver aids – it will place a huge emphasis
on the skill level of the drivers. It has a very wide track,
slick tyres – the teams will have to work very hard
on mechanical grip as this is a very big car.
“Elan have done their homework on what is required
mechanically and aerodynamically to provide a good stable
package.”
A passionate football fan, Hayle is a Manchester United supporter
and also a season-ticket holder for his local side, Northampton
Town.
“Everyone is waiting in anticipation as to how this
will turn out, a lot of thought and planning has gone into
this championship and I think once things kick off it is going
to be huge – it will capture the imagination of a lot
of people,” Hayle said.
“It is combining two of the biggest sport in the world.
Getting that passion from the football crowd into a motorsport
environment will be excellent.”
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