Shell-Backed Ferrari Expedition Kicks Off 20,000-Mile Challenge

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil – August 22, 2006: A daring 20,000-mile journey in twin Ferrari Fioranos fuelled by Shell V-Power kicks off here on Thursday, 24 August, on its way across the Andes and the South American Continent toward the United States. Destination for the Shell-backed Ferrari Panamerican 20,000 is New York City in November.

Ferrari is depending on its long time technical partner – Shell – to support the marathon journey with two Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano cars spanning the two American continents. The expedition is a bold demonstration of the longtime Shell-Ferrari technical partnership.

Journalists from around the world will be behind the wheel on alternate stages of the long journey. The tour is the introduction of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano to markets in the American continents and an extension of Shell’s relationship with Ferrari stretching back to the 1930s.

From Brazil, the convoy will travel through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico before entering the United States in early October. It then crosses the U.S. and Canada before reaching its final stage in Manhattan on 17 November.

Shell Support Essential

Shell is providing V-Power fuel, a suite of Shell Helix and Quaker State lubricant products and constant technical support to the Ferrari outreach mission to the Americas. A Shell technical support team will shadow the 599 GTB Fioranos every mile of the journey, which is the new supercar’s unique introduction to these markets.

Shell fuel stations along the route will play a critical role in keeping the Ferrari 599 GTBs supplied with Shell V-Power fuel and celebrating the passing of the Ferrari Panamerican 20,000 with special events and promotions.

‘Shell is standing behind Ferrari 100 per cent for the entire route of the Panamerican 20,000,’ said Juan Carlos Perez, General Manager Global Sponsorships. ‘This journey would be a daring statement for any carmaker, but to attempt this expedition with true supercars speaks volumes about the confidence Ferrari has in the engineering of its products. We’re proud that Shell is part of that engineering and that our products are recommended by Ferrari for every new car it produces.’

Shell’s commitment in terms of product and logistical support and on-the-road technical expertise has earned it the position as presenting sponsor for the expedition of the Americas.

Across the Americas, Ferrari and Shell were expecting to encounter a mix of conditions, from highly urbanised population centres to remote, unpopulated vistas. For both companies, the Ferrari Panamerican 20,000 is an opportunity to prove the excellence of engineering quality embodied by their respective products.

Shell supported a similar trek across China in 2005 with Ferrari 612 Scagliettis. The 2006 crossing of the Americas is a determined debut for the all-new 599 GTB Fiorano launched this year. Ferrari enjoys a customer base across the major markets of the Americas – the United States is Ferrari’s largest national market and is home to an extensive network of Shell fuel stations.

Shell-Ferrari Technical Partnership

Shell was one of Enzo Ferrari’s technical partners before he founded the company bearing his name, a company dedicated to developing the best sports and Gran Turismo cars in the world proven through motorsport success. Shell fuelled Ferrari’s first Formula One victory in 1951 and continues in that role today, having fuelled more than 130 Ferrari Grand Prix victories in history.

Shell has fuelled six Ferrari Formula One Constructors’ Championships and every new Ferrari road car leaving the Maranello factory in the past decade.

Today, Shell products are not only provided with every new Ferrari road car but are also used extensively in Ferrari’s product development engineering and testing work. From sophisticated engine test benches to Ferrari’s exclusive Fiorano test circuit, the new 599 GTB Fiorano was rigorously tested prior to its launch. A Shell engineering office in Maranello allows for efficient information sharing and teamwork between the two technical partners.