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Galatasaray launch Superleague Formula assault |
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Thursday, 06 March 2008 |
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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