- Jaguar Racing announce Michelin as Official Tyre Supplier to the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY
- Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY joins an impressive line-up of leading motorsport series supported by Michelin including FIA Formula E, FIM MotoGP and FIA WEC
- Jaguar Racing Team Director James Barclay reveals partnership at Autosport International
- Jaguar has created the world's first international championship for production-based electric cars, showcasing its first battery electric vehicle – the Jaguar I-PACE
Autosport International, Birmingham, 11 January 2018 – Today, Jaguar Racing announced its first Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY partner, with Michelin joining as Official Tyre Supplier ahead of the series debut season later in the year.
During an on-stage appearance at Autosport International, Jaguar Racing Team Director James Barclay revealed that leading motorsport tyre supplier Michelin will provide tyres for all 20 Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY racecars at each round of the world's first international championship for production-based electric cars.
Michelin supplies tyres to a host of leading motorsport series including the FIA Formula E Championship, FIM MotoGP, FIM Moto-e World Cup, FIA World Rally Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship. The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY will now join this impressive line-up.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) were recently announced as the first team to enter the series. With Michelin being revealed today, the world's first production-based electric vehicle race series is gaining global recognition ahead of the first race in late 2018.
The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY is the support series to the FIA Formula E Championship and will take place the same weekend on the same city street circuits throughout the 2018/19 season. The series, which will exclusively feature 20 Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY racecars, will give teams involved the chance to showcase talent and performance while competing on the world stage in zero-emissions motorsport.
James Barclay, Jaguar Racing Team Director, said: "Jaguar Racing are thrilled to have such an established motorsport partner like Michelin joining the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY and we're confident they will help us to deliver a successful and exciting series. Since the global announcement in September and the reveal of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing as the first team in November 2017 there has continued to be positive interest and we look forward to announcing more partners and teams over the following months."
Pascal Couasnon, Michelin Motorsport Director, said: "We have been a partner of Formula E since its inception four seasons ago and are excited to extend our presence in electric motorsport into the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY. The series is in its early stages and we look forward to working alongside the Jaguar Racing team in launching the world's first international championship for production-based electric cars."
Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) in Warwickshire, UK, are building the racecars and Jaguar Racing are offering 'Arrive and Drive' packages for up to 20 drivers commencing in the 2018/19 season of FIA Formula E. The racecars are based on Jaguar's first battery electric vehicle, the Jaguar I-PACE, which will go on sale later this year.
Jaguar Racing's commitment to electric racing is in line with its strategy that from 2020 all new Jaguar Land Rover vehicles will be available with an electrification option.
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For further information about Jaguar Racing, please contact:
Phoebe Eaton, Race Team Media Officer, Jaguar Racing
Tel: +44 (0) 7825 255 553
Email: phoebe.eaton@jaguarracing.com
Adrian Atkinson, Global PR Manager, Jaguar Racing
Tel: T: +44 (0) 7979 554 005
Email: aatkins5@jaguarlandrover.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
JAGUAR I-PACE eTROPHY
Jaguar Racing is offering complete 'Arrive and Drive' packages in the I-PACE eTROPHY that includes:
- Entry into a 10-race global championship supporting the FIA Formula E Championship
- Professional technical support from racecar preparation to data engineering
- All global logistics for vehicles, spare parts and equipment
- All tyres and consumables
- All garaging on race weekends
- All Championship promotion and marketing by Jaguar Racing and FIA Formula E Championship
- Allocated hospitality for entrants with the ability to purchase further places for sponsor guests
- Championship racewear for each driver
- Dedicated Championship television coverage
- A typical race weekend will include free practice and qualifying sessions followed by a 30-minute race.
Venues and calendar subject to FIA approval.
ABOUT PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING
Jaguar returned to racing in October 2016, becoming the first premium manufacturer to join the all-electric FIA Formula E Championship street racing series.
Jaguar's Formula E programme will create tangible R&D benefits for the electrification of future Jaguar Land Rover road cars and is designed around the team's founding principle, 'Race to Innovate'.
Manufacturers can design their own powertrain, which includes the motor, transmission, inverter and the rear suspension. Common components across all teams to control costs include the carbon fibre chassis and battery. The focus is on developing electric vehicle powertrains.
Beyond its all-electric concept, Formula E is also unique in the world of motorsport for its choice of venues. With the exception of the Mexico ePrix, every round of the championship takes place on temporary street circuits in the centre of the world's major cities. Each race day sees all track action including practice, qualifying and racing, taking place in a single day. The 2017/18 calendar includes 14 races in 11 cities, including double-header races in Hong Kong and New York.
ABOUT MICHELIN
Michelin, the leading tyre company, is dedicated to enhancing its clients' mobility, sustainably; designing and distributing the most suitable tyres, services and solutions for its clients' needs; providing digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences; and developing high-technology materials that serve the mobility industry. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 171 countries, has 111,700 employees and operates 68 production facilities in 17 countries which together produced 187 million tyres in 2016. (www.michelin.com)