ZAKSPEED JOINS THE EVER EXPANDING SUPERLEAGUE FORMULA GRIDSuperleague Formula revealed its latest race teams to contest the inaugural season of the football-themed championship with the Nurburgring-based Zakspeed squad joining the series.
The new championship will visit the historic German circuit for the second round of the championship in September. This weekend the "Ring" will play host to the Nurburgring 24 Hours on the fabled 20.8km "Nordschleife".
Zakspeed will oversee the efforts of German club Borussia Dortmund. The yellow and black BVB machine was unveiled today at Zakspeed's headquarters alongside some of the company's famous machines of the past including a Zakspeed Formula 1 car.
In addition to Zakspeed, Netherlands-based squad Azerti Motorsport was also revealed as the race team for local club PSV Eindhoven and Superleague Formula's newest signing, UAE club, Al Ain.
Seven of the ten Superleague Formula race teams have now been revealed including:
Astromega (BEL) – Flamengo and Anderlecht
Azerti Motorsport (NL) – PSV Eindhoven and Al Ain
Eurointernational (ITA) – Corinthians and TBA
GU Racing (GER) – FC Basel and Olympiacos
Scuderia Playteam (ITA) – AC Milan and Galatasaray
West-Tec (UK) – FC Porto and Glasgow Rangers
Zakspeed (GER) – Borussia Dortmund and TBA
Three additional race teams are set to be revealed in the upcoming weeks. These squads will run the football club entries for teams from the English Premier League, additional entries from the German Bundesliga, Italian Series A and Spanish La Liga plus teams from the French Football League and Asia.
The entire Superleague Formula line-up will hit the track for the first time at the Spanish Monteblanco circuit from July 9-11.
"Our plan has always been to debut with a field of 20 cars for the first race, but the interest we are now receiving from football clubs may result in a larger field," Competitions Director, Robin Webb said.
"We have been approached by some very important football clubs and may be in a position to welcome some additional race teams to handle this interest.
"Our first cars are being collected from Elan Motorsport Technologies' Van Diemen based in Norfolk and the teams are very impressed with the finished product."
Zakspeed will be exceptionally keen to the fly the flag for Borussia Dortmund at the Nurburgring Superleague Formula event.
The squad has been hugely successful at its local circuit, taking three overall victories at the 24 Hour event its factory Dodge Viper entry. With more than 40 years experience in motorsport, Zakspeed was also a Formula 1 entrant from 1985 to 1990.
"Zakspeed believes in the success of the Superleague Formula concept," Zakspeed owner Peter Zakowski said.
"Being part of the Superleague Formula family is a wonderful challenge for us to demonstrate Zakspeed’s know-how and competence. As an ex-Formula 1-entrant and manufacturer team for Ford, BMW, Mercedes, Opel, Porsche and Dodge, Zakspeed is well aware of high-tech motorsports and the requirements needed to win.
"We are also glad to operate these fantastic racecars for Borussia Dortmund."
Myself and everybody in the company will put our whole hearts in to make this team successful in the Superleague Formula series."
Borussia Dortmund fans will get the chance to travel the 200km from Dortmund to the Nurburgring to see their car this weekend. The black and yellow BVB machine will be on display at the 24 Hour race – an event which attracts more than 200,000 spectators.
The Superleague Formula championship calendar will include Donington Park (UK), August 30/31, Nurburgring (GER), September 20/21; Zolder (BEL), October 4/5; Estoril (POR), October 18/19; Vallelunga (ITA), November 1/2; and Jerez (Spain), November 22/23.
