Last week saw the Lamborghini dev team and engineers from Pirelli put the Gallardo Super Trofeo through its paces on the Vallelunga Race Track outside Rome. This marked the first tests under simulated race conditions, with Lamborghini test driver Giorgio Sanna behind the wheel. From the very outset, the lap times achieved were faster than any ever recorded with a single-brand trophy racecar on the track. The new Gallardo Super Trofeo delivered the first evidence of its outstanding performance with extremely good handling and excellent lap times. Prep for the Blancpain Super Trofeo are running well within schedule. The first race of the world’s fastest single-brand competition is set to be run on 2 May 2009 at Silverstone. The focus of the calibration work was on the tires and the racecar set-up. “During the 40 minute race, the drivers are not permitted to change the tires. Therefore, we have to pay particularly close attention to the durability of the slicks,” explains Giorgio Sanna. Particular attention was also paid to the individual calibration options, based on the various tracks and drivers. “The Super Trofeo should be easy for gentlemen drivers to control, yet challenging for professional drivers,” says Sanna, who has already carried out rain tests on the racetrack in Nardo. “The permanent all-wheel drive and high aerodynamic downforce give the Gallardo Super Trofeo exceptionally good handling.” The Super Trofeo is the only one-make series in the motorsport world to feature cars with all-wheel drive. And it’s Lambo’s clear objective to ensure that it will be the fastest single-brand series in the world-partly due to the technical superiority of the all-wheel drive principle. Starting in May, the Super Trofeo will make guest appearances at six race events-at Silverstone (UK), on the Adria Raceway (Italy), on the Norisring (Germany), in Spa (Belgium), in Barcelona (Spain) and on Paul Ricard racetrack (France). Lambo is building 30 cars for the Super Trofeo, which they are making available to individual enthusiasts, as well as to Lamborghini dealer teams. The factory will enter one car for itself, and plans to commission well-known guest drivers to take the wheel. And on the edge of the racing action, the Super Trofeo Village hospitality venue will be available. The Super Trofeo based on the Gallardo LP 560-4, powered by the new 5.2 liter V10 with direct fuel injection (IDS), generating an increased output of 419 kW (570 hp). Its power flows through the e.gear six-speed robotized gearbox to the permanent all-wheel drive with viscous traction. Its chassis, featuring double wishbone suspension all round, has been reworked specifically for the purpose. The competition tires are supplied by Pirelli and a specialist racing brake system provides brutal stopping power with racing ABS. Additional body components such as the large, adjustable rear wing are made from carbon-fiber composite. The cockpit incorporates an ultra-light race seat, a racing steering wheel and additional specialized racing instruments.
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November 26, 2008Signature Hermès Style
