Superleague Formula

[Muzaffar]

I was browsing Wikipedia as usual looking up on Formula 1 manufacturers and stuff, and somehow I stumbled upon this. Its a open wheel series similar to what open series are (like GP2, F3000, A1GP, GP Masters) but the fact that each team is sponsored by a football club (or soccer club for you Americans) There are currently 17 teams right now, with 6 rounds from August to November 2008. The first race was held in Donington Park last week, and well..... nobody seemed to notice it. You can check out the following links to know more about it:
http://www.superleagueformula.com/superleague
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superleague_Formula



But only one problem, they don't have Manchester United? That sucks.

 

[TheCracker]

I have a friend who is racing the RSC Anderlecht car for Astromega so went to the first round at Donington last weekend. The timing of the event was pretty poor with 4 other major motorsport events taking place in England that weekend, and both the UK Premier League teams competing (Liverpool and Tottenham) playing on the Sunday too. The reliability of the cars has been awful so far with some cars going through 3 gearboxes even before the first race. The car Craig was driving had been destroyed in a fire in a testing incident a week or so before by a driver who was latter dropped. Craig only got a budget together about 4 days before the event so had absolutely no testing until the Saturday morning, just hours before qualifying. With the original Anderlecht car destroyed, the organisers let Astromega use the original development car. Unfortunately the car was plagued by problems all weekend and the engine cut-out after the safety car went in about 7 laps into the first race (the purple and silver car that pulls off after Redgate 1:20 into the video above). The team thought they'd fixed the problem before the next race but they couldn't get it to fire up on the grid and was pushed onto the grass before the start. This was unfortunate since it was pissing it down by this point and Craig is a wet weather specialist, at his local track and was third on the grid for the second race. Chances are he could have quite possibly won it.

However, his team mate in the Flamengo car started on pole and led for about half the race, eventually finishing 2nd. The team were pleased with Craig's performance in qualifying and the first race. He qualified 10th out of 17 and had worked his way up to 8th, all over the back of the car in 7th by the time the safety car came out at the start of lap 3. He only has a deal so far to run in the first 3 events, so hopefully he'll show how good he really is in the next two at Nürburgring and Zolder and secure enough funding to finish the season.

Overall it should become exciting to watch, the cars are quick with 750bhp and there are some talented drivers competing including ex-F1 and Champ Car drivers. The trouble they'll have is going to be getting enough fans at the events in an oversaturated market in a time of economic downturn.

 

[MagpieRacer]

I remember reading plans for this series a long while back, didnt realise it had atually kicked off.

 

[Diego440]

Funny thing is, at the podium they don't sing the national anthem of the team's country or the driver's. They sing the anthem of the football team.

IMO this is just another sad attempt from football teams to cash in on the F1 media boom.

 

[Muzaffar]

Overall it should become exciting to watch, the cars are quick with 750bhp and there are some talented drivers competing including ex-F1 and Champ Car drivers. The trouble they'll have is going to be getting enough fans at the events in an oversaturated market in a time of economic downturn.

Ouch, that sucks to hear about your friend. Didn't know the reliability of the car was that poor. Well as for the coverage, its gonna be like A1GP when it first started. With not much coverage and all, but when it does get better revenues during the season, then maybe the thing could stand a chance and attract more audiences and have better TV coverage. As this does involve some highly famous football club and they did have coverage on their TV network, so attracting people wouldn't be so hard I guess....... But then again, it could be a complete failure like GP Masters.

Funny thing is, at the podium they don't sing the national anthem of the team's country or the driver's. They sing the anthem of the football team.

IMO this is just another sad attempt from football teams to cash in on the F1 media boom.

Well I didn't know about that either. Must be quite funny when they play some of those song. Oh how would it be cool to hear the Liverpool team winning a race and play "You'll Never Walk Alone" at the podium. But yeah, it does look like an attempt to get some cash flow, but who knows how this could work out. There is never enough motorsports out there, there are always people looking for a drive somewhere..... 👍

 

[TheCracker]

Well, after a disappointing first round due to poor car reliability, Craig has certainly showed everyone his true potential at this weekends Nurburgring rounds:

Race 1
Pos Driver Team Gap
1. Robert Doornbos AC Milan 46:13.313
2. Craig Dolby Anderlecht +6.631
3. Alessandro Pier Guidi Galatasaray +19.978
4. James Walker Rangers +23.002
5. Davide Rigon Beijing Guoan +29.603
6. Borja Garcia Sevilla FC +30.140
7. Antonio Pizzonia Corinthians +34.028
8. Tristan Gommendy FC Porto +42.546
9. Max Wissel FC Basel +43.436
10. Yelmer Buurman PSV Eindhoven +53.033
11. Andi Zuber Al Ain +53.541

Race 2
1. Yelmer Buurman PSV Eindhoven 46:41.041
2. Craig Dolby RSC Anderlecht +0.611
3. Davide Rigon Beijing Gouan +1.630
4. Enrico Toccacelo AS Roma +6.574
5. Tristan Gommendy FC Porto +7.914
6. Robert Doornbos AC Milan FC +8.318
7. Alessandro Pier Guidi Galatasaray +8.713
8. Borja García Sevilla FC +9.060
9. Andy Soucek Atletico de Madrid +9.418
10. Antonio Pizzonia SC Corinthians +10.075
11. Andi Zuber Al-Ain +1 lap

 

[daan]

2nd places in stereo. Well done to Thomas Craig. 👍

Close finish in race 2. Top 10 covered by 10 seconds...

 

[TheCracker]

I think they had a safety car period towards the end of the second race that closed the field up.

Just realised he did especially well in the second race having started from 16th on the grid due to the reverse grid system 👍

 

[daan]

Just realised he did especially well in the second race having started from 16th on the grid due to the reverse grid system 👍

Yeah, I just read that. That seemed to be a particularly good drive coming through the field like that.

 

[TheCracker]

Craig did us proud again this weekend. Qualified and finished 2nd in the first race, robbed of first after a poor pit stop. Didn't fair quite as well in the 2nd race, starting 2nd last due to the reversed grid he was making good progress through the field before having to retire on lap 18. Don't know what the problem was, my dad and step brother went to Zolder to watch, i'll ask them when they get back.

Hopefully his good results will secure him enough funding to do the second half of the season 👍

 

[Muzaffar]

Oh I missed watching this again.
Well yeah, coverage seems to be quite poor for this series. (don't even know where to watch it to be honest.....) Anyhow, hopefully your friend does well in this series.... 👍

 

[TheCracker]

Well, so far he either comes 2nd or his car breaks down on him....

 

[Crashbroke23]

This last weekend was the pair of races in Italy, although I didn't see it, because I was at improv camp, i am preety happy that Liverpool F.C did ok. The only thing that really makes me happy is that it is still third in the classification. They are only 3 points behind the dutch team PSV, Eindhoven.

 

[TheCracker]

A 6th and 7th for Craig this round. Not seen the race only the results this morning. Hopefully going to watch the final two races at Jerez in a couple of weeks time. 👍

 

[Alex.]

We keep craig dolby's car at my college (not his superleague car) his Formula Renault, we work on it quite often. We are storing a superleague bodyshell however, and next door run the Liverpool FC and Rangers FC cars, they shake the classroom walls when started up

Adrian Valles FTW!

 

[Alex.]

Craig was at college today, we were making his seat for the FBMW he's testing at silverstone tommorow. he's a very nice guy and I'll try and get some pics whilst helping out in teams. 👍

 

[ObtuseChicken]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but anybody interested in Superleague Formula here? The football aspect can just be ignored, is there much good racing? I've heard Craig Dolby is still in this, will be cheering him on when I go for the races at Brands Hatch tomorrow.

This will be the first time I've ever seen Superleague Formula, and also I've heard its the first ever event at Brands. Not expecting a massive crowd outcome. Hopefully should offer some good racing on a classic circuit.

 

[Prince.M5]

Well the racing action on the track was very good. The first time I watch was last year in Magny Course. Since the coverage is very, very poor then I have to leave the racing series. Shame and there were not so many fans in this series... For those who loves football and racing, this series is highly recommended.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Superleague Formula? What's that?

EDIT: Wait, I see. You're talking about Stupid Football Thing.

 

[ObtuseChicken]

The thing is I hate football and the whole idea of football plus cars leaves a bitter taste in my mouth but as long as the action's good, what's so bad? And anyway, there's a great line-up of support races.

I heard that you can also watch a live stream on the website if the TV coverage in your country isn't up to scratch.

 

[Ardius]

V12s 👍
Poor promotion 👎
Decent drivers 👍
Spec series 👎
Excellent circuit calendar 👍
Weird tier of motorsport (its not really a junior series, its not a feeder series, its not a pinnacle...what is it?). 👎

Overall its actually very good for racing but its a bit of a weird series considering its not promoted at all and doesn't lead anywhere. It also kind of replaces A1GP as "that series where the ex F1 and ex GP2 drivers go".

Hopefully Craig Dolby and Julien Jousse are not stuck there forever.

 

[Ian Poole]

didnt realise it had atually kicked off.

lol!

 

[ObtuseChicken]

V12s 👍
Poor promotion 👎
Decent drivers 👍
Spec series 👎
Excellent circuit calendar 👍
Weird tier of motorsport (its not really a junior series, its not a feeder series, its not a pinnacle...what is it?). 👎

Overall its actually very good for racing but its a bit of a weird series considering its not promoted at all and doesn't lead anywhere. It also kind of replaces A1GP as "that series where the ex F1 and ex GP2 drivers go".

Hopefully Craig Dolby and Julien Jousse are not stuck there forever.

I agree, very simular to A1GP.

Really enjoyed today, those cars are LOUD. Was very boring action though, but there was one massive accident which stopped the second race. He's currently in Dartford hospital with multiple breaks around his body but isn't in a serious condition. I hope he gets better soon.

But the real action came from the support races, fantastic stuff from the GT Cup and Lotus Cup Europe. Disappointed about the outcome of the 1 hour Group C Racing, only 8 cars made the start and about 4 were left at the end! Was a very boring race, especially being 1 hour. Enjoyed the day overall, and it's worth going to next year even if Superleague Formula isn't the best in terms of action around this track.

 

[adam46]

I was there to. I know I'm probably not going to be popular for this, but I think I prefered this to the last race I went to, the 2008 British GP. It was more fan friendly (as far as I know the drivers don't sit in the pitlane on sunday signing autographs at GP's), better support package, dissapointed by lack of entries in Group C/GTP race though, costs less (despite being 12 I had to pay for tickets, food, merchandise, and half towards the hotel.) Cracking weekend. Did anyone else sit in the Paddock Hill Grandstand?

 

[ObtuseChicken]

I was there to. I know I'm probably not going to be popular for this, but I think I prefered this to the last race I went to, the 2008 British GP. It was more fan friendly (as far as I know the drivers don't sit in the pitlane on sunday signing autographs at GP's), better support package, dissapointed by lack of entries in Group C/GTP race though, costs less (despite being 12 I had to pay for tickets, food, merchandise, and half towards the hotel.) Cracking weekend. Did anyone else sit in the Paddock Hill Grandstand?

I didn't, I'm not a great grandstand-lover at Brands Hatch, especially on the GP circuit. I don't mind it on Indy events though.

 

[adam46]

Fair enough. DTM is great on the Indy circuit, right sorry off topic.

 

[ObtuseChicken]

Fair enough. DTM is great on the Indy circuit, right sorry off topic.

Going to DTM this year. Will get grandstand tickets for BTCC final because I'll want to see everything.

Yes it is off-topic...but it's not like many people view this thread.

 

[Ardius]

I was there to. I know I'm probably not going to be popular for this, but I think I prefered this to the last race I went to, the 2008 British GP. It was more fan friendly (as far as I know the drivers don't sit in the pitlane on sunday signing autographs at GP's)

They do do signing sessions, but I think they are on Fridays.

You can't expect F1 to be as open simply because the drivers would get so swamped with fans. That being said, I think anyone would agree F1 certainly could improve fan access but you have to keep in mind its always going to be somewhat limited as drivers (and team principals, etc) are usually busy as it is without being slowed down by fans wanting dozens of autographs. Its always going to seem better at low-key events just because the drivers don't generally have the same popularity and the attendance figures are far lower.

All the events I have ever been to allow open access to the paddock and at least an early morning pit walk. But I can easily understand why higher profile events look to limit who gets access. Just being at the BTCC events gives you a small insight into the sheer amount of people that can gather around drivers. (Chilton had people chasing him around the paddock! ).

Personally, I'm not entirely a believer in forced autograph sessions and so on. Some drivers may not actually enjoy the adulation, which is perfectly natural, not everyone enjoys or even understands the limelight. I've heard instances of drivers like Trulli sometimes ignoring autograph requests - but I don't think this is necessarily just because the drivers are ignorant or not appreciative of the fans support, it may just be because they aren't public people who like to talk to any old stranger. I think society puts too much emphasis on one type of character trait which not everyone has because I've seen so many people take it personally that Trulli or whoever has ignored them.
The other side is that as some world's top sportsmen, they have a duty to at least meet the fans and build up the support this way. For some people, it helps them feel more part of the sport, which although a bit odd, is still something that needs to be considered from a business perspective.

I don't really "get" autographs or even the excitement of some people upon seeing or meeting famous people. Its nice to recognise and have a chat with people who have achieved but beyond that I don't see why people get so caught up in fame.

 

[TheCracker]

V12s 👍
Poor promotion 👎
Decent drivers 👍
Spec series 👎
Excellent circuit calendar 👍
Weird tier of motorsport (its not really a junior series, its not a feeder series, its not a pinnacle...what is it?). 👎

Overall its actually very good for racing but its a bit of a weird series considering its not promoted at all and doesn't lead anywhere. It also kind of replaces A1GP as "that series where the ex F1 and ex GP2 drivers go".

Hopefully Craig Dolby and Julien Jousse are not stuck there forever.

Promotion is the weakest link IMO. The idea behind it was for the clubs to chuck in some cash and drum up some extra support for the racing and in return the clubs get some extra exposure and/or get the chance to actually win something.

Like A1GP(?) there's no extra sponsorship on the cars other than the club and the series title sponsor, so it's quite hard for drivers to find a budget to compete. Thankfully a season costs approx $500k less than a season in GP2.

I can see why ex F1, GP2 and Champ Car drivers come to Superleague. Although a seasons racing is relatively cheap, the prize money available is not unsubstantial. Performance wise the cars are still quick and the racing is close, especially with the fully reversed grid for the second race and the dash-for-the-cash top six shoot out after the second race.

The support race line-up is also very hit or miss. The first ever race at Donington had some Euro Boss, which is in keeping, but also loads of club Caterham races which aren't really. The race i went to in Jarama had no support races at all! They could do with having a constant series or two that compete at every round (the euro ones anyway) and then some localized ones as padding. There's nothing spectators hate more than standing around with nothing to watch.