Dutch side Feyenoord have signed a three-year deal with Premier1, which will see Formula 1-style cars in the colours of European soccer clubs stage a series of races around the world.
Meanwhile, Premier1 says it has agreements ‘in principle’ with Valencia, Lyon, Bordeaux and Anderlecht.
Clubs agree to lend their logos and branding to the competing cars in return for a down payment and slice of revenues. Deals have already been announced with Benfica and Leeds United.
Said Feyenoord president Jorien van den Herik: “Through participation Feyenoord will be visible all year long. Uniting the two most popular sports in the world in the Premier1 Grand Prix series is not only innovative, it will most surely be appreciated by the supporters. The guaranteed television exposure all over the world will enable Feyenoord to work on her appearance and consumer awareness.”
Races begin on July 14 in Portugal, following completion of the 2002 World Cup.
Motorsports governing body the FIA, has approved the race series and work is beginning on manufacturing the cars involved.
The full confirmed calendar of races is as follows:
14 July 2002 - Estoril (Portugal)
4 August 2002 - Eurspeedway Lausitz (Germany)
11 August 2002 - Dijon-Prenois (France)
25 August 2002 - Donington (England)
8 September 2002 - Zandvoort (Holland)
29 September 2002 - Brno (Tsjech Republic)
6 October 2002 - Misano Adriatico (Italy)
20 October 2002 - Valencia (Spain)
3 November 2002- Buenos Aires (Argentina)
10 November 2002 - Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
