Lamborghini Super Trofeo one-make racing series coming to America
Wed, 20 Mar 2013
The inaugural Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America race will be held at Mid-Ohio on June 15 and 16 with most of the rounds running alongside Grand-Am, International Motor Sport Association and American Le Mans Series races; the season finale will be held at the Indy Car event at Fontana, California on October 18 and 19. More importantly, the winners of each round will compete in a world final at a race in Italy against winner from the Super Trofeo races in Europe and Asia.
All competitors will be piloting specially prepared Gallardo LP 570-4 racecars featuring 570-horsepower V10 engines and paired with all-wheel drive. Scroll down for the Lamborghini press release, which gives the full six-race schedule.
Lamborghini Super Trofeo Mono Marque Series Makes US Debut in 2013
Italian Super Sports Car Marque Launches New Series and Expands into Third Continent
Sebring, Fla., March 14, 2013 - Automobili Lamborghini has announced its single marque racing series, the Lamborghini Super Trofeo, will launch in North America in 2013. The North American series will be sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association [IMSA] this year and will race predominantly alongside GRAND-AM and American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón event.
'The ultimate single-make series,' featuring the 570 hp, V10, permanent four-wheel drive Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo, was first debuted in Europe in 2009, with a second, Asian series launching in 2012. Now in its fifth and second year in Europe and Asia respectively, the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America is the perfect series for Pro-Am racers, ensuring maximum track time for participants with practice, qualifying and two 50-minute races during two-day race weekends.
The only one-make, four-wheel drive series in the world ensures exciting action from 20-plus grids on track while off track competitors and VIPs enjoy exceptional Italian hospitality in unique Lamborghini style.
While IMSA will run the North American series in 2013, Lamborghini has confirmed a long-term agreement for the series to run under the same sanctioning body that will be responsible for the unified North American sports car championship, which will be unveiled later today at Sebring. In 2013, the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America will partner will race on either GRAND-AM or IMSA race weekends with the exception of the final USA race of the season, which will be run alongside IndyCar at Fontana, Calif.
At the end of 2013, the winners of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America will also be invited to take part in a world 'final' in Italy, alongside Super Trofeo winners from the European and Asian series.
"We're delighted to extend our race series into the North American market, which reflects both the recognition and success of our race series worldwide, and the importance of the USA to Lamborghini," said President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini Stephan Winkelmann.
"Our international motorsport program, under our newly defined Squadra Corse department, is the pinnacle of our various Lamborghini driving experiences, from test driving to our instructional academy and finally racing in the Super Trofeo and our new GT3 program. The US market for Lamborghini was up 50% in 2012 over 2011 and we continue to see the growth of our brand here: this is the perfect time to formally launch Lamborghini motorsport in the USA."
"We're extremely excited to be bringing the Super Trofeo to the USA," said Lamborghini America COO Michael Lock. "The Lamborghini marque continues to gain recognition and followers apace in the USA, and motorsport is the perfect way to open the door further on our brand and our technical competence, for both our customers and also our fans."
"The American Le Mans Series, IMSA and GRAND-AM have all enjoyed considerable success with single-make series throughout our collective history," said ALMS President and CEO Scott Atherton. "The reason for that success is based largely on the fact that people aspire to race these types of cars on North America's most legendary circuits. We are honored that Lamborghini has chosen us to help deliver that experience to Super Trofeo competitors and fans."
"We are thrilled to welcome another of the world's premium automotive brands in Lamborghini to our family," said GRAND-AM President and CEO Ed Bennett. "We believe this series will bring even more excitement to GRAND-AM and ALMS events this year and well into the future. Sports car fans appreciate exotic cars, and the Lamborghini Gallardo definitely qualifies as an exotic car."
The Lamborghini Super Trofeo race car
The Lamborghini Super Trofeo for the 2013 and 2014 series is a lightweight version of the Gallardo LP 570-4 road car, with a reworked chassis and a power output of 570 hp from its V10 engine. The race car features Lamborghini's permanent four-wheel drive, making the Super Trofeo the only one-make, all-wheel drive race series, as well as the fastest one-make series in the world.
The North American Lamborghini Super Trofeo 2013 calendar
-June 15-16 Mid-Ohio with GRAND-AM
-July 5-6 Lime Rock with ALMS
-August 17-18 Kansas City with GRAND-AM
-September7-8 Calabogie (Canada) with IMSA
-October 5-6 Virginia International Raceway (VIR) with ALMS
-October 18-19 Fontana with Indy Car
Lamborghini Squadra Corse
Lamborghini Squadra Corse is a specialist team within Lamborghini's R&D department dedicated to motorsport including GT3, the Super Trofeo series, and a customer driving program.
From 2013, the Squadra Corse will provide an integrated approach to Lamborghini driving experiences. A new series of 'Esperienza' events provide enthusiasts and prospects with opportunity for a first test-drive and to experience the world of Lamborghini. The Lamborghini Academies, on both track and ice, provide driver training and the initial steps towards racing. The Super Trofeo series provides the perfect first race experience for young and gentleman drivers, with the Lamborghini GT3 for more
By Jeffrey N. Ross
See also: 'World's Most Expensive Car Crash' results in 10 charged [w/video], Infographic: Comparing the Veneno, LaFerrari and P1 supercars, Watch this Lamborghini Gallardo get hooned like a WRC car.