NEWS - Reynard signs deal with Premier1 Grand Prix
For a hard copy of the following news story please open the attached PDF file with Acrobat Reader and select print from the file menu. Premier1 Grand Prix signs exclusive chassis deal Zurich, 16 October 2001: It was revealed today that Premier1 Grand Prix has signed a multi-million $US contract with Reynard Motorsport. The agreement means that the renowned British company will become the exclusive chassis manufacturer for Premier1 Grand Prix, the innovative racing championship that will combine top level open-wheel racing with the world's leading football clubs in 2002. The news follows hot on the heels of the FIA’s (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) approval of the sporting and technical regulations of the series and confirms that race cars can now start to be manufactured in time for the Premier1 Grand Prix debut race in July next year. Robert Synge of Reynard Motorsport, comments, “Reynard Motorsport is proud to be selected as the supplier of the Premier1 Grand Prix cars. It is another exciting opportunity for us to demonstrate our expertise in the design and build of technologically advanced single-seater race cars, an area in which we have excelled for over 25 years.” “This Championship will be a unique platform for Reynard and with our strong pedigree the company is ideally placed to produce a car which exceeds all Premier1’s expectations, combining top class performance with the highest safety standards.” “This particular contract has been well contested since it first went for tender almost two years ago,” says Heinz Schurtenberger, CEO of Premier1 Grand Prix. “We are delighted that Reynard Motorsport, one of the world’s most successful racing car manufacturers, has come out on top. I would like to thank all the other high-profile manufacturers that have been linked with the series. In-depth discussions have been held with Dallara Automobili who demonstrated their extensive knowledge and expertise during the process of negotiations.” Based in Brackley, England, Reynard will manufacture a total of 50 Premier1 chassis and testing will commence in April 2002. “The end result will have performance close to a Formula 1 car but will run on slick racing tyres and will have the advantage of ground effect aerodynamics,” says Robin Webb, Operations Director of Premier1 Grand Prix. “Launch control, traction control and ABS will not feature, but the cars will have the latest electronic gear shift technology, and will comply with the stringent FIA safety regulations.” Reynard Motorsport has many years of experience in motor sport design, engineering and manufacture, with proven success. Reynard Champ Cars have dominated the CART FedEx Championship Series since entering in 1994. The current leader of the 2001 Drivers’ Championship drives a Reynard and the marque has just clinched the Constructors’ Championship for the seventh year in succession. In Japan, the Reynard Formula Nippon has been outclassing its competitor and has an unassailable Championship lead, and the Reynard 01Q-LM Sportscar has taken the LMP675 title in the American Le Mans Series Championship. Now that Premier1 Grand Prix has completed the selection of its chassis manufacturer, a final decision on the engine supplier is imminent. It is already known that the Reynard chassis will be powered a 4-litre V10 engine expected to deliver more than 750bhp. -Ends- For more information about Premier1 Grand Prix contact John Sharp on +44 (0)20 7384 8729 MPA MEDIA, 19 Heathmans Road, Parsons Green, London SW6 4TJ, England For more information on Reynard Motorsport contact Alison Hill (ID Public Relations) on +44 (0)1280 702 208 --------------------------------------------------- This message is intended for the named recipient only. It may contain privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not copy, distribute or take any action in respect of it. If you have received this message in error, please telephone the sender. All material © MPA Media Limited 2001