January 14, 2013
Published on tags: Superleague
The final bidding process was completed early this morning with all teams securing an engine during the first round of bidding.

This season marks the first year that Superleague teams control the development of the engines. Up until the upcoming season, engines were badged based off of current Formula One engines. Earlier in the month, Midnight Motorsports, Nordsjoen Racing, Woods Racing and Kernow Sport were given the responsibility of developing the first generation of GPVWC engines.

Over the past few days, the remaining teams bid on the four potential engine alliances. While little was said publically, rumours were afloat of a number of private communications between the aspiring engine builders and their potential customers. There was a strong possibility that bidding would at least go into the second round as pundits predicted that engines supplied by heavyweights Nordsjoen and Midnight would be favourites.

The Potentia Engineering Group, backed by current champions Midnight Motorsport, was the big winner with three teams signing on to buy their engines. Green Stripes Racing and Hawkeye Racing, who finished second and third respectively in the constructors title race last year along with league stalwarts Constant Racing is likely to ensure a strong development of the PGE-01 power unit. Of the four teams, all but Hawkeye have yet to announce their line-ups, but the team has been long rumoured to see a return of the de Vos- Redshaw partnership that started last season for them.

Martex Technologies, who joined forces with Nordsjoen Racing, locked in two customer clients in the shape of the two teams promoted from the Supercup. Halcyon Racing and Torrent Motorsports will join the Italian outfit in the development of MX-01. Both teams will make their Superleague debuts in Melbourne but come off excellent Supercup campaigns. The two teams share a similar path to the top, having both also started last season planning to run only in the Formula Challenge before attaining late slots on the Supercup grid.

The Woods Racing supported Trinity engine project also received two customers. Mark Fuller?s ST Racing will run the Trinity brand, reconnecting with his former team. Fuller ran with Woods from 2006 to 2008 as a driver. Nijo Racing became the second customer. Team owner Williamson has close ties with the GPROC driving contingent hired by Woods Racing for the upcoming season.

Finally, Kernow Sport?s Krevder project also took on two customers. Red Archer Virtual Racing Team will run with the Cornish developed unit along with the returning Phoenix F1 team.

That draws an end to the bidding processes for the upcoming season. Official team launches are expected in the coming weeks as the first test in Valencia is a little more than two weeks away.