Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. is making its first endeavor into professional racing through a new partnership with Gulf Racing. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual — an online edition of the prestigious race — Gulf Racing’s Porsche 911 RSR GTE will be decked out in black and gold livery in order to reflect the iconic football club.
“Gulf Racing are a technical racing team so it was important to find a partner that could help us navigate a new world of eSports,” said Gulf Racing’s owner, Mike Wainwright. “Wolves have made great strides in this area and we look forward to sharing our skills on this exciting venture.”
The 24 Hours of Le Mans, regarded as the world’s oldest endurance race, has been held annually since 1923. This year, however, plans to host the event were disrupted due to concerns over the health and safety of drivers, crews, and the audience in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, a virtual edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is being hosted in June, whereas the physical edition has been rescheduled for later this year. This first-of-its-kind race will invite a combination of physical and sim drivers to compete, thanks to a joint effort between the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest), the FIA World Endurance Championship, and Motorsport Games.
Andrew Watson and Ben Barker are set to compete on the behalf of the GR Wolves Racing team. As staples of the team’s contemporary lineup, neither Andrew nor Ben are strangers to representing Gulf Racing on the world stage.
“Ben has taken part in Le Mans many times and also has previously won the support race, so he and Andrew wanted to do it,” said Gulf Racing team manager Owen Daley.
“Adam is a very quick racer, with a great reputation, so we were delighted to secure his services,” added Owen. “He then recommended Eros, who has impressed us – they’re both great guys and we’re delighted they’re on board.”
From the safety of their homes, the GR Wolves Racing team will take shifts while competing against 49 other professional and sim teams across the duration of the two-day event. The competition will be available to watch live online and through ESPN and Eurosport broadcasts.
Wolves’ general manager for marketing and commercial growth, Russell Jones, referred to the partnership as a great way for the football club to extend its eSports resumé through the team’s first-ever foray into professional motor racing.
“This partnership provides us with an opportunity to reach a brand-new audience and align the Wolves brand with one of the most iconic motor competitions in the world,” he said. “We can’t wait to join forces with Gulf Racing and look forward to a fiercely competitive weekend.”
