STP returns to racing roots with Ferrari 458

Ferrari 458 with STP livery

International motorsport is once again the focus for the engine care experts through an alliance with the benchmark Italian AF Corse team, and the young British driver duo of Daniel Brown and Glynn Geddie.

40 years since STP last officially competed in Europe, when Ronnie Petersen piloted the STP March 711 to second place in the 1971 Formula 1 World Championship, the fuel additive giant is returning to the tracks in the FIA GT3 European Championship.

As part of STP’s first official involvement in a European-based series, the unmistakable STP oval will appear on the AF Corse Ferrari F458 Italia GT3 driven by the all-British line-up and the Championship’s youngest driver duo of Daniel Brown (19) and Glynn Geddie (20).

Having been involved in the British GT Series in 2010 with the Chad Racing Ferrari F430 Scuderia GT3, STP’s progression into Europe is a return to the forefront of motorsport outside the USA, following a rich and successful history across many formulae, from F1 to NASCAR, Indy to World Land Speed Record breaking.

With its engine care products used by millions of motorists for over 50 years, STP boasts a strong reputation worldwide, and with the 2011 race series visiting six different countries including Russia, for its inaugural International motor race, the FIA GT3 European Championship represents an ideal opportunity to engage the brand with a legion of both established and new motoring enthusiasts alike.

STP’s long-held premise to deliver the ultimate in engine efficiency and performance has led to a racing history steeped in success, and the association this year with the benchmark global GT team, AF Corse of Piacenza, Italy, who can point to their own successes since formation in 2002 – including four consecutive team titles from 2006 in the FIA GT2 Championship – reflects a shared determination to remain at the pinnacle of the sport.

Equally driven to succeed will be the youngest driver duo on the GT3 grid, with both 19 year-old Daniel Brown, and 20 year-old Glynn Geddie bringing significant experience and success from former race series that belie their years.

Brown’s stellar performance in the 2009 British GT Championship, in a Mosler backed by the iconic Italian tuning brand MOMO âˆ' which followed a great Rookie season in Formula Palmer Audi âˆ' earned him the title of British GT ‘driver find of the season’ from Autosport magazine, and ultimately led to a seat with Chad Racing for 2010 and the title of BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club) Rising Star. Brown brings to the AF Corse Ferrari major support from long-established UK automotive styling company, Brown & Geeson Limited.

Glynn Geddie finished the 2010 British GT Championship as runner-up, adding to a CV of successes in the ultra-competitive Porsche Carrera Cup GB series, and brings with him to the AF Corse Ferrari, significant long-term sponsorship from leading oil and gas exploration specialists, Apex Tubulars, for the assault on the 2011 FIA GT3 European Championship.

The 12-round series commences this weekend, May 8, at Aut¢dromo Internacional do Algarve, Portugal.