I feel honored to be able to give Lotus Cars Australia a brand new platform to showcase their product in the region. It is also fantastic to be able to announce such a significant naming rights sponsor in our inaugural season. This will be Federal Tyres first foray into circuit racing in this country. I have tested the 595 RS R spec tyres and they definitely compare well the well established motorsport brands. Our unique championship format coupled with the closeness of one make racing in thoroughbred sports cars together with the support of Federal Tyres and Lotus Cars Australia will see our series go from strength to strength.
President and CEO of Federal Corporation, Shu Jam Ma stated;
It is a great pleasure for Federal tyre to sponsor this years X challenge. Lotus is one of the most respected brands in the car industry, having thousands of customers enjoying driving pleasure from every sharply designed Lotus. While 595RS, a popular product of Federal tyres motorsport family, is also sharply designed in its appearance and performance. With Lotus powered by the 595RS, the 2007 X challenge is going to open your eyes and give you a whole new experience
He then went on to say;
Federal has been a tyre manufacturer for more than half a century and we served the Australian customers since the 1980s. This long term relationship is one of which we are immensely proud. I am delighted to say that the sponsorship of Federal 595RS for X challenge is a small way of expressing how highly we value Australian tyre users. In 2007, there will be more opportunities to strengthen this already close partnership, and we look forward to getting involved in the game because while every competitor wants more speed and control in racing to triumph, we are proud to say that Federal 595RS meets the challenge. So, Aussie, have fun with Federal tyres
Lotus Cars Australia MD, John Startari added;
Lotus are proud to support the 2007 X Challenge and are enthused by the professionalism shown in the development and implementation of the programme. Not only will the X Challenge provide a fresh new arena for our cars to demonstrate their racing pedigree it will also allow us to involve Lotus clubs and enthusiasts through some innovative aspects of the seriesX Challenge will run as a two day meeting under the umbrella of the Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS) with some highlight events under negotiation. The traditional Friday practice day has been replaced by a practice session and regularity trial for Lotus owners who are not competing in the X Challenge series.
Azim explains;
The goal behind the Friday programme is to give Lotus owners who may not have the chance to take their cars onto a racing circuit a chance to participate in the meeting and share the excitement of motorsport while not having to do anything more to their car than they would at a normal supersprint meeting. Some folks may even want to step up to the X Challenge after participating in the Friday events.
The 8 round series will run across 4 states and field 3 classes of Lotus, X-1 Lotus Exige S Challenge, X-2 Lotus Exige, X-3 Lotus Elise. The classes are effectively 3 independent championships with cars grouped on the grid in relation to results of their respective class rather than overall times.
At the end of the season the winners of each class with go into a time trial shoot out (the X Challenge) in equal (yet to be identified) cars to decide the ultimate winner of the series and the driver who will receive a test in a Carrera Cup car with Sherrin Motorsport.
X Challenge also has a unique scoring system and a set of awards for drivers 40 years and over as well as 35 years and under.
Azim finished off by saying;
I am looking forward to a fantastic inaugural season and expect that it won't take long before we are oversubscribed
Note: X Challenge is in no way associated with the previous Lotus Trophy or its operators.
For further information contact:
Azim Sahu-Khan
0416 071 911
xchallenge@equitable.com.au
Submitted on 2007-02-26 18:25:43