RANGERS BECOMES FIRST UK CLUB TO GO RACING WITH SUPERLEAGUE
FORMULA
Scottish football club Rangers has added reason to celebrate
today – fresh from their victory in the CIS Insurance
Cup Final against Dundee United on Sunday, the Glasgow-based
squad today became the first UK-based club to join Superleague
Formula.
The club has won more major trophies than any football club
in the world, and now Rangers have their sights set on championship
success on the race track.
The club’s blue, white and red colours will adorn the
750 horsepower, V-12 powered Superleague Formula single seater
in the new championship which kicks off at Donington Park
in the UK in August this year.
Rangers are the sole remaining UK club doing battle in the
UEFA Cup competition this season, and now, the club will now
fight it out in Superleague Formula with European rivals AC
Milan, PSV Eindhoven, FC Porto, Olympiacos, Borussia Dortmund,
RSC Anderlecht, FC Basel, Galatasaray SK and Sevilla, plus
Brazilian greats Flamengo and Corinthians.
Rangers will also be the sole Scottish representative on
the Superleague Formula grid. In total, 20 clubs will line
up for the six round championship this year – eternal
football rivals fighting it out in an entirely new sport.
The club’s fans are expected to meet their newest “signing”
when the car is unveiled at Ibrox Stadium next month.
“We are thrilled to join so many great clubs in a totally
new sporting endeavour – a project which will not only
promote Rangers across the world but also provide an income
stream for the Club," said Rangers Chief Executive, Martin
Bain.
“We will benefit greatly through sponsorship, television
and spectator revenues so it is a win-win situation for us.
"Superleague Formula will introduce the passion of the
Rangers brand to a whole new range of fans, in addition to
our existing support, and we are proud to represent Scotland
in the new venture.
“The Club has enjoyed some fantastic European nights
of late and we look forward to competing against some of the
biggest names in world football in Superleague Formula.”
Rangers have scored a remarkable 51 Scottish League Championships
and currently hold a 3-point lead in the 2007/08 title race.
It has recorded 31 Scottish Cup wins; 25 League Cup titles
(including yesterday’s victory against Dundee United)
and also scored a victory in the 1972 Cup Winner’s Cup.
“Rangers record is really quite remarkable and we are
delighted that they are now part of Superleague Formula,”
said Alex Andreu, Superleague Formula President and CEO.
“We are looking at bringing together the biggest brands
in world football to take part in Superleague Formula and
Rangers is a perfect addition for us.
“Not only has the club been wildly successful throughout
its history, the Rangers fans are incredibly passionate and
we are looking forward to encouraging them to make the trip
down to Donington Park to see their car do battle in the opening
round of the championship.
“The Superleague Formula grid is certainly filling
fast. We have 12 of the 20 spots now announced, two additional
clubs to announce after Easter and we are currently finalising
arrangements for the final six places.”
Pre-season “training” has already begun for Superleague
Formula with the V-12 powered, 750 horsepower prototype hitting
the track for the first time recently at Donington Park. Testing
will continue after Easter at the Circuito Monteblanco in
Spain.
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