Innovation keeps things fresh, and the latest addition to the exhilarating world of motorsport promises to provide a suspense-filled, high-octane mix of speed, noise, and genuine excitement. The brand new SpeedCar series is set to become one of the world's most competitive race events and in preparation there will be an exhibition event at the Bahrain International circuit from November 1st - 3rd.
A new concept in stock car racing arrives in this region, and will be showcased at the Bahrain International Circuit, to pit legendary driver against young upstart; master tacticians facing off against raw talent. And, all the while, the uniform 620 bhp, 6.0-litre V8 engines of these pedigree racecars are set to level the playing field between some of the world's best drivers.
Household names from F1, like Johnny Herbert, Jean Alesi, Stefan Johansson and Narain Karthikeyan, will take on newcomers with attitude in Bahrain, as part of the blue-ribbon prelude to the scintillating action of the Australian V8 Supercars event that goes on at the same time.
Based on the stock-car concept, Speedcar races are based on the core skills of the drivers, and extreme track action is guaranteed when a genuine level playing field allows drivers to compete against one another.
Speedcar is a series based around manoeuvres: intense fighting, split-second overtaking and daring challenges provide the background to one of the most extreme forms of competitive driving. While every moment counts for drivers to jostle for position in the same-spec supercars, the will to win and superlative skill are critical factors for those in the hunt for the chequered flag.
As a three-time winner in F1, Herbert will relish the challenge of taking on Alesi, a veteran of over 200 Grand Prix races. Stefan Johansson, meanwhile, will bring all the tactical and technical knowhow he developed as a Ferrari regular into the series, and the subcontinent speed-sahib Karthikeyan will be a particular favourite in Speedcar's Asian homeland.
As well as acting as a showcase for some of the most recognisable faces from Formula One, Speedcar also plays a crucial role in promoting the talent of young drivers by inviting new teams to participate alongside these established drivers on a global platform. Tapping into the upcoming talent of this region, Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum and David Terrien will be representing the UAE as drivers of the Union Properties (UP) Team.
As a respected young driver Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum, UAE Karting Champion and Formula Renault Campus driver, is joined by David Terrien, former FIA GT World Champion, forming an impressive duo. Elsewhere from Asia, Ananda Mikola and Moreno Soeprapto, two household names from Indonesia, have signed up for the series as real competitors.
The Speedcar Series will take the global motorsport world to a whole new level with a racing calendar spanning Asia and the Middle East, its portfolio of renowned drivers and its concept of stock car racing that it unique to the region.
Leading global tracks such as the Bahrain International Circuit, Dubai Autodrome, Sepang Circuit in Malaysia and the Indonesian Sentul International Track have leant their support to the series, and will form part of the Grand Racing event featuring pulsating two-day race meetings in partnership with GP2 Asia.
The cars have been modelled on the extremely successful American NASCAR racers and comprise tough space-frame construction and dramatic bodywork. Above all, though, their soundtrack is unique. Petrolheads can't get enough of the ferocious volume generated by true racecars, and the highly tuned Speedcars give anything from Formula One a run for its money.
Alongside the V8 Supercars in Bahrain, a round of one of the most exciting series of world motorsport, Speedcar will not remotely look out of place. The full race schedule is set to start in earnest at Dubai Autodrome on 26 January next year, but as a showpiece curtain raiser, spectators at the BIC will see just how thrilling this form of motor racing will be.
"With Formula One and GP2 already established as the current pinnacle of motorsport, we had to work hard to devise a concept that would clearly provide an alternative to these in the most exciting way possible," Benoit Lamonerie, Speedcar's a General Manager, said as the teams geared up for their Bahrain debut.
"With the wealth of experience of many of our drivers, allied to the undoubted potential of others, Speedcar is set to become one of the most anticipated series in motorsport."
With fresh faces, legendary names, a new concept and true competitiveness, Speedcar has been given the green light to bring red-line action to the track.
www.speedcarseries.com
- Priya Thangaveloo- photos copyright Speedcar Series
