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6 April, 2012
Valentino Rossi to race at the first round of Blancpain Endurance Series at Monza
Nine-time world motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi will compete in the opening round of the Blancpain Endurance Series at Monza on 13-15 April at the wheel of a Ferrari.
The Italian, who is nicknamed ‘Il Doctore’ (The Doctor), will race with the famous Number 46 on his Ferrari 458 Italia for the Kessel Racing team in the VR46-Monster colours. He will be partnered by Alessio Salucci in the Pro-Am Cup class.
"We really decided on the last minute to participate in the Blancpain Endurance Series event in Monza and to race in partnership with my friend Uccio is a very big pleasure,” Rossi said.
Stephane Ratel, Founder and CEO of SRO Motorsports Group, the promoters of the Blancpain Endurance Series, is delighted to welcome Rossi to Monza and to GT racing.
“For many years I have been saying that from all of the world-class drivers and riders, the one I would most like to welcome in GT racing is Valentino Rossi,” Ratel said.
“He is the ultimate motorsport hero and we must hope he will consider joining our championships on a more regular manner at some point in his outstanding career.
“At Monza, in a Ferrari, we could not have expected a better combination to make the event a success. Welcome Valentino.”
The first round of the 2012 season will feature an entry list of 60 prestigious sportscars from 11 brands – Audi, Aston Martin, BMW, Dodge, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes, Nissan and Porsche.
Rossi will be up against a host of famous names including Le Mans 24 Hour winner David Brabham, former Formula One stars Mark Blundell and Karl Wendlinger along with several sportscar and endurance specialists.
The event programme includes Pre-Qualifying on Friday, Qualifying on Saturday ahead of the three-hour Race starting at 14:15 local time on Sunday.
Blancpain, a tradition of innovation for over 275 years
In 1735, Jehan-Jacques Blancpain began his watchmaking activity and installed his first workshop on the upper floor of his family home in Villeret, a village in the Swiss Jura mountains. By inscribing his name in the official communal property register, this pioneer created an establishment that is now the world’s oldest watch brand.
Throughout its history, Blancpain has succeeded in maintaining solid continuity in its capacity for innovation and its respect for traditional horological values. Whether by perfecting complications, designs and production methods, or by exploring new horizons, the Manufacture has been devoted for more than 275 years to taking the art of watchmaking to places it has never yet ventured. From the first models created in the 18th century to the prestigious timepieces currently emerging from its workshops, Blancpain has forged an authentic tradition of innovation. The key to its success lies in the mastery of all fields involved in making an exceptional mechanical timepiece – from the creation of the movement and its components through to the functional design of the watch, along with the choice of materials and the extremely refined and entirely hand-crafted finishing.
Without ever straying from its precious heritage, the brand steadfastly pursues its quest for performance, precision and elegance by offering a range of exceptional timepieces equipped with the most sophisticated horological complications. The nature of its collections – including the pure lines of the Villeret, the efficient complexity of Le Brassus, and the avant-garde design of L- evolution – is firmly rooted in watchmaking traditions while constantly pushing them towards new limits. In the same way, the ladies’ collection celebrates beauty and refinement, while the Sport collection is composed of instrument watches that are ready to face any situation on land, under water or in the air.
While remaining unswervingly loyal to its values, Blancpain regularly associates with partners that share its passion for excellence. Whether in the field of motorsports, sailing, scuba diving, or that of gastronomy and the art of living, the Manufacture is proud of its partnerships that represent far more than mere co-branding. On the contrary, Blancpain commits itself fully to such forms of cooperation by joining forces with its partners in a determination to excel and to foster both creativity and authenticity.
For further information, contact:
Cameron Kelleher,
Head of Communications,
SRO Motorsports Group.
+44 (0) 7795 185 430
cameron@sro.co.uk
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