It's Liverpool vs Milan at 300km/hr

Karthikeyan races for PSV Eindhoven in Superleague Formula, where cars bear names of football clubs

What do football and V12 750-horsepower racing cars have in common?
Ask Narain Karthikeyan, who recently experienced the combination of football and motorsports on the Silverstone circuit. Narain, who is the first Indian to have raced in Formula 1 and NASCAR, raced the powerful machine for a team called PSV Eindhoven, a name otherwise famous as a Dutch football club.

Narain was one of the 18 drivers, who were representing famous football clubs like AC Milan, Liverpool and AS Roma in the Superleague Formula races. All cars have similar specs and bear the colours of the world's leading football teams. Club rivalry is extended beyond the football pitch to some of the world's greatest racetracks.
"To race for a football club was something unique. I took up this opportunity as I wanted to keep myself fit for open wheeled single seater cars," Narain told MiD DAY.

The concept of Superleague Formula races, which are held across circuits in Europe and Asia began in 2005. Robin Webb, one of the founders of this format said that the idea came into fruition because of the need to see a different form of motorsports championship.

"We got tired of seeing cars which are either painted blue or red and have no recognition from fans. In F1, fans support drivers. However, in all other formats there is simply no recognition. We brought club football with motorsports so that fans could support their teams more passionately. We used football to tap into its massive fan base," Webb explained.

He further added that their aim was to expand this concept globally and not restrict it to Europe alone as it would help football clubs too. "Our aim is to have 21 cars on the grid bearing the names of football clubs all over the world. Not all clubs are as well known as say ufffd Manchester United. This is an excellent branding opportunity for lesser known football clubs to reach a greater worldwide audience through motorsports," added Webb.

Narain is looking forward to the second race, which will be held in the Dutch city of Assen on May 16. "I am excited about driving a PSV Eindhoven car in Holland."