GALATASARAY'S ORIENT EXPRESS READY FOR SUPERLEAGUE FORMULA
Superleague Formula has already travelled the globe unveiling
the colours of the world's leading football clubs, but today,
the new motor racing championship spanned two continents with
its most spectacular launch to date.
The red and yellow Galatasaray SK car was unveiled on the
club's very own island – situated in the middle of the
Bosphorus straight in Istanbul between the continents of Europe
and Aisa.
The historic city of Istanbul has previously been the capital
of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman empires –
now the fans of Galatasaray SK have their sights set on reigning
over this new motorsport championship which will feature the
colours of the world's leading football clubs.
Galatasaray SK's entry was revealed today by club president,
Ozhan Canaydin and manager Karl Heinz Feldkamp along with
the entire Galatasaray SK squad.
With the Bosphorus Bridge as a backdrop, the car was revealed
by releasing hundreds of balloons that previously cocooned
the 750 horsepower, V12-powered machine.
Joining the management and players was Galatasaray's newest
signing – Italian race team, Scuderia Playteam –
the squad that will represent the Turkish club when Superleague
Formula kicks off in August.
Scuderia Playteam, in turn, also brought along two potential
signings to Istanbul, former Italian GT championship winner
and Scuderia Playteam regular, Italian, Alessandro Pier Guidi;
plus Turkish local hero, GP2 racer Jason Tahincioglu.
The duo recently were part of the group that took part in
a evaluation testing session for Scuderia Playteam aboard
Formula 3000 cars in Italy.
"We are delighted to have Scuderia Playteam as part
of the Galatasaray family and thrilled at the great selection
of racing talent that the team has been testing of late –
we are confident that Galatasray will be well and truly prepared
for this great challenge," club President Mr. Ozhan Canaydin
said.
"We welcome the potential drivers to Istanbul and wish
them the best of luck – we are looking forward to one
of them earning the honour of driving the Galatasaray car
in our first race in Superleague Formula."
After graduating to Superleague Formula from major international
and domestic GT championships around the world, Scuderia Playteam
is leaving no stone unturned in preparation the football-themed
championship – having recently hired ex-Minardi and
Toro Rosso Formula 1 technical chief Gabriele Tredozi as its
new Technical Director.
“We are working on producing a high level racing and
entertainment package for spectators around the world,"
Team owner and founder Giambattista Giannoccaro said.
"I’m sure the Galatasaray SK fans will follow
the launch of our Superleague team closely, and hopefully
cheer for us this week during the car’s unveiling at
the club's home ground, and later in the year when the season
gets underway."
Giannoccaro and the two drivers were joined at the launch
by Scuderia Playteam general manager Graziano Semiani.
Today's island launch was attended by local media and club
corporate supporters. This Saturday, the local fans get their
opportunity to see the car and meet the potential drivers
when the car is revealed prior to Galatasaray SK's match against
Kayserispor – a vital match for the home team which
is looking to reclaim top spot on the Turkish league table.
Superleague Formula President and CEO Alex Andreu believes
Galatasaray's entry into Superleague Formula could become
one of the most popular teams in the competition.
"The fan and media reaction from Istanbul has been incredibly
strong and it appears Scuderia Playteam are certainly putting
in a very significant effort to ensure they can challenge
for the front of the pack," Andreu said.
"We have had the chance to see and hear the Superleague
Formula prototype in action for the first time this week in
testing in the UK and I can assure the Galatasaray fans –
they are going to love the sight and sound of their colours
on the track.
"The Orient Express used to arrive in Istanbul from
Paris – now I think Galatasaray's Superleague Formula
car could earn the same nickname.
"We are also proud and very thankful to the club for
arranging such a spectacular setting for our launch –
spanning two continents is a unique moment for our championship."
Galatasaray will join other leading European clubs AC Milan,
PSV Eindhoven, Olympiacos, FC Porto, Borussia Dortmund, FC
Basel, RSC Anderlecht, Sevilla plus Brazilian rivals Flamengo
and Corinthians on the 20 strong grid.
Each club will fight it out for 1 million Euro prizemoney
at each of the six championship rounds. Each round will feature
two races – one with a complete reverse grid.
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