SRO Motorsports Group and Total have announced a special partnership that will see Total become the official supplier of the Blancpain Endurance Series and the FIA GT Series in 2013, with the ground-breaking ELF CM G2 fuel. Total Additives and Special Fuels will also provide additional products for the Blancpain Endurance Series and the FIA GT Series this season.
The ELF CM G2 fuel has characteristics that fit both naturally-aspirated and turbo/supercharged engines. This includes 6, 8, 10 and 12 cylinder units. Containing 10% of Abengoa Bioenergy ethanol (second generation bioethanol). ELF CM G2 allows, with equal energy content, to limit the fossil CO2 emissions compared to a standard race fuel. It will also allow an optimum combustion, with a high energy content that offers volatility property/attributes, guaranteeing a good functioning engine under high thermal stresses.
Total Additives and Special Fuels has broad expertise in the field of fuels and performance additives, thereby contributing to differing fuels in the Total network, provide additive solutions and customised products to its clients, as well as developing top-level racing fuels.
Total Additives and Special Fuels is thrilled to be supporting the Blancpain Endurance Series and the FIA GT Series 2013, whose sporting values and technical excellence it shares.
Commenting on the partnership, SRO Motorsports Group Founder and CEO, Stephane Ratel, said: “This is a significant partnership announcement today between companies that have motorsport running through their veins. The enthusiasm, technical expertise and racing passion that Total have shown perfectly mirrors our own. We look forward to a very productive partnership in both our International series, which have started 2013 in such strong fashion.”
BLANCPAIN ENDURANCE SERIES
The Blancpain Endurance Series is the best supported GT series in the world and was launched in 2011 by SRO Motorsports Group. The objective of the series is to take GT3 cars into endurance races on prestigious circuits. After two successful seasons, the Blancpain Endurance Series has now become the reference point of International GT racing.
This winning formula consistently creates grids of 60+ cars, visiting the most iconic circuits in Europe, such as Monza, Paul Ricard and Silverstone. Most of the races have a 3-hour endurance format, except for two: the Nürburgring 1000kms race in September and the Total 24 Hours of Spa in the final weekend of July. The latter is the jewel in the crown of the series, gathering a world-class field of GT cars and entertaining up to 60,000 people in a unique festival atmosphere.
The series takes its name from its main partner, the Swiss watch manufacturer Blancpain, which has been a supportive presence since its creation. The Blancpain Endurance Series is also supported by tyre manufacturer Pirelli, who join the series for 2013 and Hexis, a specialist manufacturer of self-adhesive vinyl films for sign making, vehicle marking and large format digital printing.
FIA GT SERIES
The FIA GT Series is a series launched in 2013 by the SRO Motorsports Group, under the aegis of the international regulatory body, the FIA.
The new-look series gathers the most professional Grand Tourer teams and drivers from all over the world to compete in a unique sprint race format. Teams and drivers from Brazil, India, Russia and all over Europe have committed to the series. Nine-time World Rally Champion and motorsport icon Sebastien Loeb enters a self-run McLaren in this year’s competition.
Throughout 2013, the GT3 cars will race at some stunning tracks, including Nogaro, Zolder, Zandvoort, Slovakia-Ring, Navarra and a special finale outside of Europe.
Two sprint–format races give a quick-fire rhythm to the six meetings. A one-hour qualifying race will decide the grid for the one-hour main race, usually held on a Sunday afternoon. Three classes are awarded titles with a PRO Cup, PRO-AM Cup and Gentlemen’s Trophy fighting for category silverware.
The FIA GT Series is also supported by tyre manufacturer Pirelli and Blancpain who are the official time keepers and Hexis.