SIR RICHARD BRANSON TO ATTEND NEW YORK FORMULA E RACE

27.06.17
SIR RICHARD BRANSON TO ATTEND NEW YORK FORMULA E RACE
Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson insists he’ll be doing more than watching from the sidelines when he attends the forthcoming Formula E race in New York City, in support of his DS Virgin Racing team. 
The all-electric race series makes its debut in the Big Apple on July 15 and 16, marking the first ever time the city has hosted a two-day motorsport event.  
As well as attending the Saturday race day, Sir Richard Branson will be a key panellist at a pioneering Innovation Summit held at Brooklyn’s New Lab the day before, speaking on the role of the business segment in addressing climate change. 
Ahead of this, he will also be making a special appearance at one of the city’s most iconic landmarks to celebrate the inaugural Formula E race and mark the team’s arrival. 
“It’s a testament to the modern world we live in that the first ever motorsport event in New York is an electric one,�?? said Sir Richard Branson. “In just three seasons, Formula E has helped showcase the capability of electric cars and clean energy to a truly global audience.�??
He added: “I’m looking forward to attending this event and supporting the DS Virgin Racing team but I’ll be doing more than just watching from the sidelines; I’ll be packing my race suit and helmet just in case!�??     
Team Principal Alex Tai added: “Thanks to Richard, Virgin is one of the world's most recognised and respected brands, so it’s an honour to have him support the team in New York.�??
DS Virgin Racing, one of 10 founding outfits, has been backed by Sir Richard Branson from the outset and is now one of the leading teams in the series with four races remaining in the third season.
The New York rounds (10 and 11) of the FIA Formula E Championship take place on July 15 and 16. For more information on the DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team, visit: www.ds-virginracing.com.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Tom Phillips, PR & Communications Manager, DS Virgin Racing
E : tom.phillips@ds-virginracing.com    //  T: +44 (0) 7496 972965
About Virgin Group:
Virgin is a leading international investment group and one of the world's most recognised and respected brands. Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Group has gone on to grow successful businesses in sectors including mobile telephony, travel & transportation, financial services, leisure & entertainment and health & wellness.
 
The DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team was one of the founding teams in the all-electric series, headed up by Team Principal Alex Tai and in partnership with French luxury car manufacturer DS Automobiles. 
About DS AUTOMOBILES
A French brand born in Paris, DS was founded on 1 June 2014. Its ambition is to embody the French know-how of luxury in its cars. Driven by its outstanding heritage and avant-garde spirit, DS perpetuates the values of innovation and distinction inherited from the first DS, launched in 1955.
Designed for customers looking for a means to express themselves as individuals, the DS Collection comprises DS 3, DS 3 CABRIO, DS 4, DS 4 CROSSBACK, DS 4S, DS 5, DS 5LS, DS 6 and completed with DS 7 CROSSBACK. The models in the DS range stand apart through their avant-garde design, refinement and attention to detail, advanced technology and dynamic serenity.
Presented at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, DS 7 CROSSBACK, the SUV by DS featuring Parisian-style innovation and savoir-faire, ushers in the second generation of DS models. With the DS 7 CROSSBACK La Première limited edition model, forward thinkers can reserve their car online or at a DS Store or DS Salon, and be the first to get behind the wheel. Committed to high-performance hybrid and electric cars, the Brand will launch the DS 7 CROSSBACK equipped with E-Tense, the hybrid powertrain by DS, in 2019.
DS models are available from DS Stores, DS Salons and a selection of other dedicated spaces within the Citroën network. DS also has a flagship store, DS WORLD PARIS. DS represents a brand experience that goes beyond the products to include ONLY YOU, a collection of exclusive services showcased at the 2016 Paris Motor Show.
Follow all DS news on www.DSautomobiles.com    @DS_Official
About the FIA Formula E Championship:
The FIA Formula E Championship is the world’s first fully-electric single-seater racing series, competing on the streets against the backdrop of some of the most iconic cities - including Hong Kong, Marrakesh, Buenos Aires, Monaco, Paris, Berlin, New York and Montreal. The championship represents a vision for the future of the motor industry, serving as a platform to showcase the latest innovations in electric vehicle technology and alternative energy solutions. Future seasons will see the regulations open up further allowing manufacturers to focus on the development of motor and battery components, which in turn will filter down to everyday contemporary electric road vehicles.
The 2016/17 FIA Formula E Championship sees 10 teams and 20 drivers go wheel-to-wheel in nine cities spanning five continents in the fight to be crowned Formula E champion. The inaugural season of Formula E sparked into life in September 2014 around the grounds of the Olympic Park in Beijing. The third season of the electric street racing series started on October 9 in Hong Kong, with the season finale double-header taking place in Montreal on July 29 & 30.
About FIA & Michelin - Today’s partners for tomorrow’s mobility:
As well as being the official Formula E tyre supplier, Michelin is an official partner, at the international level, of the FIA Action for Road Safety campaign. The programme is designed to support the Decade of Action for Road Safety initiated by the UN, the aim of which is to save five million lives over the next 10 years. This programme is set up to educate and advocate for safer roads, vehicles and behaviours around the globe.