: Series to debut upgraded V12 Engine

SUPERLEAGUE FORMULA TO DEBUT UPGRADED V12 ENGINE

Magny Cours will host the initial shakedown on April 28th.

The final preparations for the 2009 Superleague Formula season gather pace later this month when an upgraded version of the championship's widely admired V12 engine is given its first shakedown test at Magny Cours in France.

Specially designed and manufactured exclusively for the series by Menard Competition Technologies in Oxfordshire, England, the advanced 4.2-litre V12 is fitted to all the single-seater racers that represent many of the world's top football clubs on the vibrant Superleague Formula grid.

Since its introduction in 2008, the high-tech twelve-cylinder engine has received widespread acclaim for both its power and reliability as well as for delivering stirring sounds, which have added greatly to the football-inspired fervour in the grandstands.

"Menard delivered us a terrific engine in 2008 which not only provided excellent performance and reliability for what was a brand new power plant but also a superb sound-track for the on-track racing. The minor revisions that are now being prepared for 2009 will further enhance the speed and spectacle of Superleague action." , says Robin Webb, Managing Director of Superleague Formula.

Now, with a year's racing experience successfully completed, MCT has introduced several significant upgrades to the 750bhp V12 power plants that will feature in 2009. Notable new developments include an improved water system plus revisions to the oil system to reduce oil surge in high g-force corners.

"We are privileged to be involved in the Superleague story and look forward to another year providing the power behind the series," confirms Kevin Lee, Managing Director at MCT.

The Alan Docking Racing team is preparing the Glasgow Rangers chassis for the initial shakedown test at Magny Cours on 28 April when the car will be driven by Australian ace John Martin.

-credit: sf