Superstars Series

Superstars Series

Category	Touring cars
Country	International
Inaugural season	2004
Drivers	49 (2012)
Teams	14 (2012)
Engine suppliers	V8
Tyre suppliers	Hankook
Last Drivers' champion	Johan Kristoffersson (Italian) Johan Kristoffersson (International)
Last Teams' champion	Dinamic
Official Website	www.superstarsworld.com
Current season

The Superstars International Series is a production-based touring car racing championship held since 2004. It is managed by the "Superstars World of Racing SpA", SWR, a company of FG GROUP with headquarters in Rome^[1] and sanctioned by the Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI) and the Commissione Sportiva Automobilistica Italiana (CSAI).^[2] FG GROUP, led by Maurizio Flammini, is famous for having promoted the FIM World Superbike Championship from its beginnings in 1988 until its sale to Infront Sports & Media in 2007.^[3]

For 2013, the series will race in 6 countries across 8 race weekends and 16 sprint races.

[edit] History

The series began in 2004 as Trofeo Nazionale Superstars (Superstars National Trophy) with a six race schedule, all the events held in Italian tracks. The initial field was made of BMW M5 and Jaguar S-Type models, entered by five teams.

Since 2005 the series earned the Campionato Italiano Superstars (Italian Superstars Championship) title, and soon became the main tin-top auto racing series of the country, replacing the Italian Superturismo Championship (folded in 2007).

[edit] International Expansion

2007: In 2007 the series started to visit circuits in other European countries and in the same year became the FIA approved International Superstars Series. Every season awards two different drivers' titles, one for the International Series and one for the Italian Championship. Points are gained for the Italian Championship at each Italian and one European race meeting. Since the launch of the International title and calendar, the series has grown in participation from teams and public as well as in media value.^[4]

2012: The 2012 season saw the growth of the series in terms of media and spectators - attracting 33,000 fans to its race at Vallelunga in Rome on October 7, 2012.^[5] Johan Kristoffersson won the championship in his KMS Audi RS5 after a season long battle with Vitantonio Liuzzi and his CAAL Racing Mercedes AMG C63. Kristoffersson's success in SUPERSTARS proved a strong element in advancing his career.^[6]

2013: The 2013 calendar contains eight races in 6 countries. The series promoters have given the series an umbrella name "THE SUPERSTARS WORLD" that reflects its international growth and refers to the entire weekend of events which includes The SUPERSTARS INTERNATIONAL SERIES, the GTSPRINT INTERNATIONAL SERIES, local support races and entertainment events.^[7]

[edit] Format and Philosophy

Since 2009 the Series has run a two sprint race format. Race 1 to take place Sunday morning and Race two to take place Sunday afternoon.

After its success with World Superbikes, FG GROUP applied a similar motorsport marketing philosophy to the SUPERSTARS INTERNATIONAL SERIES. The technical regulations are designed to bring the largest touring cars together in a balanced competition that limits costs, maximizes spectacle and limits driver assistance. A total of 10 brands will be represented in the 2013 edition: Audi RS5, BMW M3, Cadillac CTS-V, Chevrolet Lumina and Camaro, Chrysler 300C SRT8, Jaguar XF, Lexus ISF, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes C63AMG, Porsche Panamera. Key values of the Series promoted by FG GROUP are: "The Best Motorsport Show", "Great Champions and F1 Stars", "World Wide TV", "Paddock Entertainment" and "Premium Partnerships"^[8]

[edit] Technical regulations

[edit] Current season

The 2013 Superstars championships are reserved for production-based saloon cars with the following basic characteristics:

• Otto cycle engines with 6 to 12 cylinders (Wankel engines not allowed)
• forced induction (turbochargers or superchargers) allowed if used in the production car
• minimum displacement of 3800 cc
• production H-pattern gearbox or approved mechanical sequential gearbox (automatic and semiautomatic transmission are forbidden)
• four or two doors body style
• homologated for at least 4 passengers

Each homologated car must comply with a technical sheet issued by the Permanent Bureau, which contains the technical description of all the car's components, both originals and belonging to technical kits.

[edit] Eligible cars

Note: Chevrolet Lumina CR8 is a badge engineering of HSV Clubsport R8.

[edit] Expired homologations

Cars no longer eligible:

[edit] Sporting regulations

[edit] Scoring system

The scoring system has been revised for 2009 season.

Since 2012 an additional point is awarded to every driver in the starting grid of each race.

[edit] Champions

Season	Campionato Italiano Superstars		International Superstars Series
	Driver Champion	Team Champion	Driver Champion	Team Champion
2004	Francesco Ascani (BMW M5 (E39))	CAAL Racing	not held
2005	Tobia Masini (Audi RS6 (C5))	CAAL Racing
2006	Max Pigoli (Jaguar S-Type R)	Audi Sport Italia
2007	Gianni Morbidelli (Audi RS4 (B7))	not awarded	Giuliano Alessi (BMW 550i)	CAAL Racing
2008	Gianni Morbidelli (Audi RS4 (B7))	not awarded	Stefano Gabellini (BMW 550i)	CAAL Racing
2009	Gianni Morbidelli (BMW M3 (E90))	CAAL Racing	Gianni Morbidelli (BMW M3 (E90))	not awarded
2010	Thomas Biagi (BMW M3 (E92))	not awarded	Thomas Biagi (BMW M3 (E92))	Team BMW Italia
2011	Alberto Cerqui (BMW M3 (E92))	not awarded	Andrea Bertolini (Maserati Quattroporte)	Team BMW Italia
2012	Johan Kristoffersson (Audi RS5)	not awarded	Johan Kristoffersson (Audi RS5)	Dinamic

[edit] Trophies

Season	Rookie Trophy	Senior Car Trophy	Stars Drivers Trophy
2009	Pierluigi Martini (Chrysler 300C SRT-8)	Mauro Cesari (BMW M5 (E39))	not awarded
2010	Alberto Cola (Audi RS4 (B7))	Alberto Cola (Audi RS4 (B7))	not awarded
2011	Alberto Cerqui (BMW M3 (E92))	not awarded	Francesco Ascani (BMW M3 (E90))
2012	Johan Kristoffersson (Audi RS5)	not awarded	Nico Caldarola (Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG)

[edit] Media coverage

Television Broadcast In 2012 the Superstars Series received live and as-live broadcast in 103 countries with total distribution reaching 195 territories. The 2012 TV media value, as per data from wige and sport+Markt, was €56 million.^[9]

Video Games In 2009, the championship made its video game debut Superstars V8 Racing which features the 2008 championship. A sequel named Superstars V8 Next Challenge was released in February 2010, featuring the 2009 season.

[edit] See also

• Italian Superturismo Championship

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official website (in English and Italian)