Just last week at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida, the brand enjoyed its status as title sponsor of the 2015 Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo World Final. It was the last racing event of the year in a series of around-the-world events with luxury brand Lamborghini. The qualifying and final races took place over the course of four days, during which time the Blancpain brand name was as present as (if not more so than) the Lamborghini name – prominently placed on step and repeats, flags, printed collateral, hospitality tends and – most importantly – on every single one of the 66 Lamborghini Gallardos and Huracans racing the historic track.
More than 65 Lamborghinis from Asia, Europe and North America participated in the races (as did 100 drivers) – marking a record number of Lamborghinis in any of the race series to date. Additionally, at least another 30 Lamborghinis rallied from around the East coast of the United States and parked in the corral of Sebring International Raceway during the races. Easily between all of the very rare Lamborghinis present at the track, and the exclusive Blancpain timepieces also on display (and being worn by a good number of attendees) – at least $50 million worth of luxury goods surrounded us at this legendary track.
In fact, the track is one of the oldest continually run racetracks in America. It was opened in 1950 and originally comprised more than 5 miles of racing circuit- - borrowing cement tarmac from the nearby regional airport that had been built and used during World War II by military planes. Since then, the course has been shortened to its current 3.74-miles, but it continues to use the rough and bumpy tarmac in certain portions – making for a challenging drive at speeds close to 200 miles. Legendary drivers (including Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt) have raced this circuit and the 100 drivers at the recent event were happy to traverse it, as well. Earlier in the global races (that took place over two years in Malaysia and Europe), Hayek – an avid racer – had also participated.
The collaboration with Lamborghini and with other motor sports events around the world is just one of several very important sponsorships and involvements the brand takes to heart, such as its commitment to the world’s oceans. For Hayek, the synergies of luxury cars and luxury watches are numerous – as both realms strive not only for excellence, precision and top performance, but also delve into the world’s of high-tech materials and innovative design. Evidence of the high-tech materials use can be found in Blancpain’s L-Evolution collection of complex watches that utilize titanium and carbon fiber, and are built with modular case construction and multi-layered dials that offer intrigue and complexity. Of course, Blancpain also offers cutting edge dive watches (that underscore the brand’s oceans involvements), ultra complicated watches (including tourbillons, repeaters and more), and elegant mechanical watches for women.
Interestingly enough, there were a few women drivers on the course at Sebring for the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo World Final, which witnessed a host of different races (Pro, Pro-Am, Am and Gallardo AM) over the four days. Winners were Patrick Kujala (Pro), Corey Lewis (Pro-Am), Ryan Ockey (AM), Jake Rattenbury (Gallardo Pro-Am) and Brandon Gdovic (AM). I also had the opportunity to experience the historic track first hand – both as a passenger with a pro driver for a few hot laps, and as a driver of a new Huracan that I took around the course for about four laps in an exhilarating experience I can only hope to repeat one day.
