- A NEW MILESTONE IN LAMBORGHINI MOTORSPORT HISTORY.
- SUPER TROFEO RACE CARS HEATING UP THE TRACKS OF THE SEPANG INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT ON THE FIRST RACE WEEKEND OF THE LAMBORGHINI BLANCPAIN SUPER TROFEO IN ASIA.
May 28, 2012, Sepang, Malaysia – Italian supercar manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini and title sponsor Blancpain celebrated the debut of the Asia Series of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo at the Sepang International Circuit this weekend.
Already in its fourth year in Europe, the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo in Asia will now provide an exclusive platform for gentlemen drivers, entering individually or in teams of two, to compete at the wheel of the bespoke Lamborghini Super Trofeo race car in one of the world’s fastest one-make series. With 18 teams from China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan, the opening weekend of the Asia Series saw the brand’s extreme, uncompromising and quintessentially Italian super race cars showcased at their best in two fiercely competitive races.
Crowds of spectators watched the Super Trofeo teams follow the format of a 50-minute practice session providing precious time to get accustomed to the track, before a 35-minute qualifying session and two official races each 50 minutes long. A compulsory driver change window of ten minutes in both races adds to the excitement.
This year’s Asia Series complements the European Lamborghini Blancpain SuperTrofeo series, now in its fourth season. In Asia, the series visits some of Asia’s highest-standard international circuits including Sepang, Fuji, Ordos, Zhuhai, Penbay and concluding in Shanghai for November’s grand finale.
“The Super Trofeo Asia Series is an important milestone for our company,” said Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “Lamborghini is already well-known in the region for its iconic supercars, and now we are also sharing our passion for motorsports with other enthusiasts across Asia. We are also delighted to be joined by such an international group of gentleman drivers, and we look forward to following them throughout the series as they experience Lamborghini in its most extreme form.”
Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo champions celebrating on the podium after the first race of the Asia Series
More than a motorsport event, the Super Trofeo Championship is also the ultimate lifestyle experience for those who dare to ride Lamborghini’s most extreme bull. As a luxury brand and advocate of expert craftsmanship, Lamborghini is honored to partner with Blancpain, the prestigious Swiss watchmaker and the European series’ title sponsor, for its first series in Asia.
Mr. Delamuraz, Vice President and Head of Marketing of Blancpain said: “Over the past several years, Blancpain has been increasing its presence in Asia. We are really excited to launch a Super Trofeo series in Asia this year. This new concept, similar to the Super Trofeo in Europe, will allow passionate motorsport lovers to race on Asia’s most prestigious racetracks! For Blancpain and Lamborghini, this project is the result of mature reflection, based on a three-year partnership in Europe as well as on our knowledge of our local client’s expectations.”
The series’ debut in Sepang was held alongside the Malaysian Super Series. Other major race events will partner the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo in subsequent race meetings such as Formula Nippon in Japan, the Audi Pandelta Race in Zhuhai, and culminating in a big season finale in Shanghai in November with a Group final: Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo, Audi R8 LMS Cup, VW Scirocco Cup Asia and Porsche Cup Asia.
Lamborghini Super Trofeo Race Car
A lightweight version of the road-going Gallardo LP 560-4, the Super Trofeo race car comes complete with a reworked chassis and a power output of 419 kW from its V10 engine. The race car features Lamborghini’s permanent four-wheel drive and comes equipped with leading safety features, including an FIA FT-3 fuel cell, a full roll cage, a new Brembo Racing brake system and compatibility with HANS safety devices.
Typical of Lamborghini, the Super Trofeo’s bodyshell is not only extremely light but also exceptionally safe. Boasting tremendous torsional stiffness, the Super Trofeo maintains outstanding handling. Carbon-fibre composite features heavily in the bodyshell’s construction, forming the front skirt, splitter, rear bonnet, front compartment cover, side skirts, diffuser, rear skirt and large rear wing. The rear wing can also be repositioned to suit the requirements of different race tracks and environments, while all the race car’s windscreens and windows are made from Makrolon lightweight hi-tech polycarbonate.
Complementing its carbon-fibre black Alcantara panels, the Super Trofeo comes equipped with one low-mounted racing bucket seat, produced in light and stiff Kevlar carbon-fibre composite, providing perfect ergonomic support to the driver, who is then secured into position by a six-point racing harness.
Results
Race 1
1. Liu / Rizzo (#37), China.
2. Wiser (#66), China.
3. Charlz (#99), Singapore.
4. Shigeru / Hideto (#10), Japan.
5. Chan / Tse (#88), Hong Kong.
6. Chou / Chen (#6), China.
7. Chen (#3), China.
8. Choi / Lau (#8), Hong Kong.
9. Henry / Se (#22), China.
10. Motoaki (#12), Japan.
11. Cheng / Lok (#2), China.
12. Wong / Hui (#23), Thailand.
13. Chao / Lin (#38), Taiwan.
14. Kai / Dong (#7), China.
15. Ramli (#9), Malaysia.
16. Lu (#36), Taiwan.
17. Yeo (#11), China.
18. Lu (#1), China.
Race 2
1. Liu / Rizzo (#37), China.
2. Charlz (#99), Singapore.
3. Wiser (#66), China.
4. Chan / Tse (#88), Hong Kong.
5. Shigeru / Hideto (#10), Japan.
6. Xu / Zhang (#7), China.
7. Chou / Chen (#6), China.
8. Chen (#3), China.
9. Motoaki (#12), Japan.
10. Wong / Hui (#24), Thailand.
11. Chao / Lin (#38), Taiwan.
12. Henry / Se (#22), China.
13. Cheng / Lok (#2), China.
14. Choi / Lau (#8), Hong Kong.
15. Lu (#36), Taiwan.
16. Yeo (#11), China.
17. Ramli (#9), Malaysia.
18. Lu (#1), China.
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.
Founded in 1963, Automobili Lamborghini is headquartered in Sant’Agata Bolognese, in Northeastern Italy. There it manufactures some of the world’s most sought-after super sports cars. With the introduction of the best-in-class Aventador LP 700-4 in 2011 and with this year’s presentation of the SUV concept car Urus at the Beijing Auto Show, Lamborghini has marked another milestone in the history of luxury super sports cars.
With more than 120 dealerships worldwide, Automobili Lamborghini is building on a succession of dynamic and elegant super sports cars including the 350GT, Miura, Espada, Countach, Diablo, Murciélago, Reventón Coupe, Reventón Roadster, Gallardo LP 560-4 Coupé and Spyder, Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera and the open version LP 570-4 Spyder Performante.
For more information on Automobili Lamborghini, please visit:
www.lamborghini.com
Blancpain, a tradition of innovation for over 275 years
In 1735, Jehan-Jacques Blancpain began his watchmaking activity and installed his first workshop on his family home in Villeret, a village in the Swiss Jura mountains.
Throughout its history, Blancpain has succeeded in maintaining solid continuity in its capacity for innovation and its respect for traditional horological values. Whether by perfecting complications, designs and production methods, or by exploring new horizons, the Manufacture has been devoted for more than 275 years to taking the art of watchmaking to places it has never yet ventured. From the first models to the prestigious timepieces currently emerging from its workshops, Blancpain has forged an authentic tradition of innovation. The key to its success lies in the mastery of all fields involved in making an exceptional mechanical timepiece – from the creation of the movement and its components through to the functional design of the watch, along with the choice of materials and the extremely refined and entirely hand-crafted finishing.
Without ever straying from its precious heritage, the brand steadfastly pursues its quest for performance, precision and elegance by offering a range of exceptional timepieces equipped with the most sophisticated horological complications. The nature of its collections – including the pure lines of the Villeret, the efficient complexity of Le Brassus, and the avant-garde design of L-evolution – is firmly rooted in watchmaking traditions while constantly pushing them towards new limits. In the same way, the ladies’ collection celebrates beauty and refinement, while the Fifty Fathoms collection is composed of instrument watches that are ready to face any situation.
In four years of involvement in motor sport, Blancpain has unremittingly strengthened its presence in this compelling activity: partner of Lamborghini and title sponsor of the “Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo” since 2009, official timekeeper of the FIA GT1 world championship since 2010; title sponsor of the “Blancpain Endurance Series” and official partner in the “ADAC GT Masters” championship since 2011.
For more information on Blancpain, please visit the website at
Text: Clásicos al Volante.
Photographs: Lamborghini.
