Anderlecht joins Superleague Formula
RSC Anderlecht joins 2007 Champion's League winners AC Milan, PSV Eindhoven, FC Porto, Olympiacos and the recently announced German club Borussia Dortmund in the new championship which will kick off in August next year.
Like many of their Superleague Formula rivals, RSC Anderlecht enjoyed another successful season in 2006/07, winning its 29th Belgian first division championship.
The club is now targeting success in motorsport to continue its rich trophy winning history that also includes eight Belgian Cups, one Belgian League Cup, seven Belgian Supercups, two European Cup Winner's Cups, a UEFA Cup and two European Super Cups.
RSC Anderlecht's purple, silver and white livery which will be used on the 750-horsepower V12-powered Superleague Formula chassis was presented today at the club's annual press day at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.
"We are very excited and proud about our partnership with Superleague Formula," said Herman Van Holsbeeck, General Manager of Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht.
"Proud because Anderlecht is the only participating Belgian club in this completion with the biggest football clubs in the world and excited because we know that our fans will be very eager about this competition and particularly excited about the car in purple and white."
Launched in April this year, Superleague Formula will feature more than 20 of world football's leading rivals doing battle on top class race tracks through Europe.
For its debut season, six championship rounds will be staged with each race weekend featuring two races – one with a complete reverse grid.
The addition of the second new club to the championship in less than a week was warmly welcomed by Superleague Formula President and CEO, Alex Andreau.
"Our negotiations with football clubs throughout the world have gone exceptionally well," Andreau said.
"Having a club like Anderlecht join our championship is perfect for Superleague Formula. Their record in the Eerste Klasse is second-to-none and we are thrilled to have another championship winner amongst our ranks.
"We are looking forward to presenting the club's colors on the actual car with its 2007/08 playing squad in September.
"It has been a big week for us – Borussia Dortmund and now Anderlecht – and lots more to follow."
The Superleague Formula championship will feature high performance single seater cars built by Panoz/Elan Motorsports in the US. The 750-horsepower V-12 engines are being developed by MCT in the UK.
"Support from the football clubs for the Superleague Formula championship has been extremely rewarding," said Operations Director, Robin Webb.
"We actually expect to have some challenging decisions to make as final negotiations have taken place with more than 30 clubs, but our entry will close with a maximum of 20 for the debut season.
"It will be a case of first come, first served, however we will have a small number of spots reserved for clubs from a couple of key strategic markets.
"Everybody involved in Superleague Formula has been working extremely hard behind the scenes over the past few years. It is now extremely rewarding to be able tell the world which clubs will be joining us for our first year."