• Partager

Unforgettable start to the 2013 season for the Blancpain Race Weekend

Supported in 2013 by Eurosport TV coverage, the world’s most subscribed and popular GT endurance competition has placed itself firmly at the top of the quality and quantity scale. 60 GT3 cars started the season at Monza this weekend in one of the biggest grids seen at the famous Italian circuit in recent times.

This year, bearing the brand colors for the first time, the Blancpain Racing team of Marc A. Hayek, President and CEO of Blancpain, and Peter Kox started the season in their new #24 Lamborghini Gallardo. At the end of the three hour-long race, the Ferrari 458 Italia of Kessel Racing claimed victory in the PRO Cup while AF Corse won the first place on the PRO-AM podium.

Eurosport TV coverage secured
In a further enhancement to the coverage enjoyed by the Blancpain Endurance Series and Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo, Eurosport International will screen a bespoke highlights programme of all races in the 2013 calendar. With interest in the Blancpain Endurance Series at an all-time high, both the promoters - SRO Motorsports Group and series title sponsors - Blancpain, have collaborated to bring fans closer to the frenetic action this season. Up to 52 minute-long programme will be screened on the Tuesday evening after four of the five rounds, capturing all the drama and non-stop action of the epic three-hour races. All races will be shown in the late evening with a guaranteed repeat of each event the following morning on Eurosport 2. Eurosport’s vast network of channels is available in 59 countries, in 20 different languages and is one of the most widely viewed dedicated sporting channels in the world.

Quotes
Stephane Ratel, Founder and CEO of SRO Motorsports Group: “Eurosport needs no introduction to fans of motorsport. The channel has been a supporter of top-line International racing for over twenty years. For 2013 the Blancpain Endurance Series has an unbelievable depth of great teams, drivers and globally recognised brands competing together. These races will be seen all over the world and with drivers from so many countries, the reach of the series will be better than ever.”

Alain Delamuraz, Vice President of Blancpain SA, Head of Marketing : “This coverage is a fantastic step for the Blancpain Endurance Series as it begins its third season. Year by year the series has grown in teams and drivers, showcasing fantastic racing in a unique paddock ambience. The new TV viewers who will tune in to the Eurosport programme will not fail to be entertained by the truly International flavour of the Blancpain Endurance Series.”

Both on and off the track, guests & drivers will not forget the unique way that Blancpain celebrated the end of a long winter by complementing the excellent weather at Monza this weekend.

Blancpain Endurance Series
The Blancpain Endurance Series is the best supported GT series in the world and was launched in 2011. The objective of the series is to take GT3 cars into endurance races on prestigious circuits. After two successful seasons, the Blancpain Endurance Series has now become the reference point of International GT racing. This winning formula consistently creates grids of 60+ cars, visiting the most iconic circuits in Europe, such as Monza, Paul Ricard and Silverstone. Most of the races have a 3-hour endurance format, except for two: the Total 24 Hours of Spa in the final weekend of July and the Nürburgring 1000 kms race in September. Spa is the jewel in the crown of the series, gathering a world-class field of GT cars and entertaining up to 60,000 people in a unique festival atmosphere.

The series takes its name from its main partner, the Swiss watch manufacturer Blancpain, which has been a supportive presence since its creation. The Blancpain Endurance Series is also supported by tyre manufacturer Pirelli, who join the series for 2013, official fuel supplier Elf and Hexis, a specialist manufacturer of selfadhesive vinyl films for sign making, vehicle marking and large format digital printing.

In Europe, the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo will again partner the Blancpain Endurance Series this year:
Monza (ITA) 13/14 April
Misano (ITA) 04/05 May
Silverstone (GBR) 01/02 June
Paul Ricard (FRA) 29 June/01 July
Spa (BEL) 25/28 July
Nurburgring (DEU) 21/22 September

Blancpain - Over 275 years of tradition in motion:
Founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain, the watch brand bearing his name is the oldest in the world. Blancpain is currently engaged to the renewal of mechanical watchmaking and to passing on exceptional expertise from one generation to the next through constant investment in human resources, production facilities and research. This approach is its strength and the expression of our long-term vision, even though it goes against the tide of a certain tendency to seek immediate profit.

From the creation of components through to watch design, Blancpain is distinguished by its ability to develop exceptional movements. Over the past seven years, the Manufacture has indeed developed no less than 26 new calibres.

Through its various models, Blancpain preserves its heritage of precision and elegance, while also displaying an innovative and occasionally provocative spirit. Its range encompasses the sportive L-evolution line, the legendary Fifty Fathoms diver’s watch, as well as the classic Villeret collection, the high complication from Le Brassus collection and the feminine Women models.


Original Language: English