The new Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo racing series is proud to announce that one of Europe’s most established endurance racing drivers, 2004 Le Mans Endurance Series Champion Alexander Frei will be joining the inaugural series.
Frei has a long history in sportscar racing, and has considerable Lamborghini competition experience. Rejoining Team Autovitesse for Super Trofeo this year, Frei already has a relationship with the Italian marque, taking multiple class wins in the Diablo GTR at races such as the gruelling Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours.
In more recent years, Frei has driven for the French Courage squad, winning the LMP2 class of the first Le Mans Endurance Series in 2004, and has participated in no less than four Le Mans 24 Hours events. The Swiss driver’s best finish was eighth overall in 2005. After taking a year out of competition in 2008, Frei is back to contest in the pan-European, eighteen-race Super Trofeo season.
Alexander Frei
“I’m sure that the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo is going to be fun,” said Frei. “The championship offers thrilling cars and great international race tracks, I can’t wait for the first race because Silverstone is one of my favourite circuits. Being able to drive the Super Trofeo there will be an extraordinary experience."
“We are happy to welcome Alexander Frei back to the Lamborghini family,” said Manfred Fitzgerald, Director of Brand and Design for Lamborghini. “Super Trofeo offers an opportunity for experienced drivers and newcomers to sportscar racing alike, to compete on a level plane; fascinating racing will be the result.”
The Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo will debut in May 2009 featuring the Lamborghini Super Trofeo: a lightweight version of the Gallardo LP 560-4. The Super Trofeo will come with a reworked chassis and a power output of 419 kW (570 hp) from its V10, ‘Iniezione Diretta Stratificata’ engine. The race car will feature Lamborghini’s permanent four-wheel drive, making the Super Trofeo the only one-make, all-wheel-drive motorsport series.
Luxury Swiss watchmaker Blancpain is title sponsor. The Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo will run over six European race weekends, alongside other prestigious series such as the FIA GT Championship and DTM. Either one or two drivers per car can register for the series, comprising of free practice and a qualifying session, and three 40-minute races during the race weekend.
The first race weekend of the 2009 provisional calendar will run on 02-03 May at the Silverstone circuit in the UK, followed by Adria in Italy on 15-16 May; Nuremburg’s Norisring in Germany on 26-28 June; Spa in Belgium on 23-25 July; Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya in Spain on 19-20 September; and culminating on 03-04 October at Paul Ricard, France.