06.01.2010 FIAT PRESENTS ITS TWO NEW JUNIOR-TARGETED BRAZILIAN RACING SERIES'

Capacete de Ouro 2009: Trofeo Linea and Fiat Formula Future

Capacete de Ouro 2009: Trofeo Linea and Fiat Formula Future

Capacete de Ouro 2009: Trofeo Linea and Fiat Formula Future

Capacete de Ouro 2009: Trofeo Linea and Fiat Formula Future

Capacete de Ouro 2009: Trofeo Linea and Fiat Formula Future

Capacete de Ouro 2009: Trofeo Linea and Fiat Formula Future

On the glittering occasion of Capacete de Ouro 2009, Brazil's annual motor sports awards, Fiat Automóveis, which also sponsored the 2009 edition which was held last month, presented in detail its two exciting new junior racing series that are set for a national programme this year: Trofeo Linea and Fiat Formula Future.

The two new sporting categories will be part of the new multi-series Racing Festival, which is to be organized by RM Racing Events and will also have a 600cc motorcycle category. Its sponsor will be Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa. In addition to Fiat, the Racing Festival is to be sponsored by Santander, Shell, FPT Powertrain Technologies and Pirelli.

The Trofeo Linea will be a single-make category racing car focused on the production Linea T-Jet, which is marketed by the Italian brand in Brazil. To turn the Linea into a genuine 'touring car' racer, preparations that have been made include the 1.4-litre turbo being prepared for the stresses of competition. Powered by ethanol fuel the 4-cylinder turbocharged engine will have maximum horsepower of 210 bhp. This unit will be fitted to a 6-speed sequentially-operating Sadev STR3 gearbox imported from France.

The Koni dampers used meanwhile have been specially developed for the racing Linea, while the dashboard's new racing data-logging instrumentation is sourced from the Fiat Group's Magneti Marelli division. Finally new Brembo brakes, imported from Italy, will stop the car and the interior harnesses and other safety equipment (including a carbon-fibre steering wheel) are supplied by Sparco.

The development of the Linea is being conducted by MetalMori together with the engineering of Fiat Automobiles. "Our goal was to make a real touring car with high technology at an affordable price," says Carlos Henrique Ferreira who is responsible for the project at Fiat.

The Linea ready-to-run costs R$ 155.000, but it is worth noting that the teams and drivers will not have to bear out the cost of an engine change, new bumpers and fuel throughout the year. FPT Powertrain Technologies and LG bumpers, in conjunction with MetalMori, will give full their support at the tracks all year to ensure smooth operation without additional costs to competitors, except in the case of collisions. The ethanol fuel will be supplied by the organisers free of charge.

Meanwhile Formula Future Fiat is set to be a first-rung-on-the-ladder category for young racing talent to get their budding careers underway. It will use new cars imported from France that are fitted with 1.6-litre 16-valve engines developed by FPT Powertrain Technologies. The biggest advantage of this category will be the low cost, enabling continuity for pilots looking to make the next step from karting into a good 'formula school' to gain more experience at the wheel of next-generation single-seater racing cars.

"The Formula Future Fiat category is unprecedented in having the characteristic of being a 100 percent school," said Felipe Massa on the occasion of Capacete de Ouro 2009 where Formula Future Fiat was presented. The Brazilian driver also presented his fellow countryman Rubens Barrichello with the Capacete de Ouro 2009 award for F1 Driver of the Year, while the top award was clinched by Helio Castroneves. Other winners included: Rafael Derani e Cláudio Ricci (Brazilian GT Championship), Jonathon Louis (kart), Miguel Paludo (Porsche GT3), Rafael Tulio and César Valandro (rally), Maurício Nevez and Eduardo Bampi (off-road) and Júlio Campos (touring cars).

"I believe fully in this format," continued Massa. "The pilots will have the same conditions throughout the tournament and it will be at the cutting edge, which is very important for everyone to gain technical experience in their careers. In other words, everyone will have the correct path to grow in motorsports," added the Brazilian F1 driver who hasn't raced in a grand prix since his serious accident in Hungarian qualifying last summer.

During the presentation of Capacete de Ouro 2009 the first drivers already confirmed for Formula Future Fiat were announced. Leonardo and Fernando Nienkotter from Santa Catarina, along with one of the winners of Capacete de Ouro 2009, Caca Bueno, who will double up with his brother Popo Bueno, have all committed to the series in 2010.

There will be twelve races spread over six weekends for the Trofeo Linea and Fiat Formula Future series', kicking off at
São Paulo on 24/25 April. Round two will take place at Rio de Janeiro (15/16 May) before the series reached the halfway mark when it moves onto Brasília (24/25 June) for the third round. The second half of the year will see the championship return to São Paulo (21/22 August), before the penultimate round is held at Curitiba (18/19 September). The series will then wrap up with the sixth and final round at Porto Alegre (23/24 October).
 

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