Champ Adrian Valles returns to series

Reigning champion to make Superleague Formula return

Superleague Formula by Sonangol will welcome reigning champion Adrian Valles back to its grid for the series' groundbreaking trip to China next weekend.

The 24-year-old has signed for Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon to contest round 10 of the 2010 season at the brand new Ordos International Circuit on 2-3 October. He is also set to take part in the second Chinese race the following weekend and the season-finale at Circuito de Navarra at the end of the month.

Valles, formerly an F1 test driver with Spyker, clinched the Superleague Formula title for English Premier League giants Liverpool in 2009 following a thrilling season-long battle with British driver Craig Dolby of fellow EPL outfit Tottenham Hotspur. He also finished fourth overall with the Reds in the inaugural season of the football-themed series in 2008.

While he hasn't raced in Superleague Formula so far this year, his four career victories and six further podium finishes in the 2008 and 2009 seasons suggest that the Spanish driver is likely to be a front-runner on his return. He will also have an eye on the €100,000 prize on offer for the winner of each round's dash-for-cash Super Final.

The Sporting Lisbon car, which was run by Spanish team Drivex at Portimao last weekend, will be prepared by the Madrid-based De Villota Motorsports in China, the team having already enjoyed race wins with Julien Jousse (AC Milan) and Marcos Martinez (Sevilla) in its first season of Superleague Formula this year.

Robin Webb, Superleague Formula Competition Director:"We're delighted to welcome Adrian Valles back to Superleague Formula for our first-ever trip to China in what looks set to be one of the strongest grids in our three-year history. During his two years with us, Adrian showed what a talented and professional driver he is and I'm sure he's looking forward to mixing it at the front of the field with the title contenders in Ordos."

Adrian Valles, Sporting Clube de Portugal: "I'm very excited to be taking part in Superleague Formula again! After winning the 2009 championship with Liverpool I had an opportunity to go into F1, but that dream didn't become reality. Despite this disappointment, I continued training and now I can say that I'm in the same physical condition as last year. I'm very pleased to be driving with a Spanish racing team (De Villota Motorsport) and this opportunity will be a big adventure. I'm also looking forward to going to China and Navarra. It'll be great to finish the season at a Spanish circuit because lots of Spaniards will be there to support us."

-source: superleagueformula.com