Martini Racing Exhibition
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“MARTINI RACING, IN PURSUIT OF THE MYTH” RECORD-BREAKING ACHIEVEMENTS Turin, 8th November 2013. The success of a team is largely determined by its organisation and professionalism, and by the preparation and style of its vehicles, but in the competitive world of motor racing, what really counts are the results. And in this respect, Martini Racing occupies a prime position. The famous dark blue, light blue and red stripes have dominated all racing categories, from endurance to Formula 1, and from rallies to touring car racing. The first significant victories came in the year of its official debut, with Porsche: Martini Racing dominated the 12 Hours of Sebring and, in particular, the 24 Hour Le Mans race, the classic French endurance competition alone being worth as much as a world victory. The first world title dates from 1976 when the Porsche-Martini Racing team won both the Group 5 world championship (for series grand touring cars), and Group 6 for two- seater racing cars, in addition to the 24 hour Le Mans, of course. Fans had to wait until 1981 to celebrate another world title, this time with the Lancia team when it returned to win the category with the Beta Montecarlo Turbo. Meanwhile, the Martini Racing achievements table gained Herbert Müller’s European title in the Interserie with a Porsche 917 turbo, a monstrous machine of more than 1000 CV, and two victories in the Brazilian and German Grand Prix with a Ford-powered Brabham. As for the Formula 1 title, there was nothing to be done against the huge power of the Ferrari, McLaren and Lotus teams which dominated the scene at the time. A few years later, in 2007/2008, Martini won two world constructor’s titles and one driver’s championship with Michael Schumacher alongside the Scuderia di Maranello which, from 2006, flaunted the unmistakeable Martini stripes on the nose of its single-seaters. The category that has given Martini Racing the greatest satisfaction, however, is the rally. Following a timid foretaste in 1978 in the Safari Rally alongside the Porsche team, the Lancia-Martini Racing duo became synonymous with repeated victories and world titles from the early 80s, with the success of the Lancia Rally 037 in 1983 and 6 consecutive world titles won by the Delta, from 1987 to 1992 with Juha Kankunnen and Miki Biasion. Last but not least, important victories were achieved by the Alfa Romeo 155 in the DTM (1995/96) and by Nicola Larini in the Italian GT Championship, again at the wheel of a Martini Racing Alfa 155. www.martini.com; www.martinierossi.com For further information: Ufficio Stampa Martini & Rossi Barbara Herlitzka, tel. 011.9419812, [email protected] Edelman Rossella Camaggio, tel. 02. 63116228, [email protected] Maia Lottersberger, tel.02.63116225, [email protected] .