* FERRARI PANAMERICAN 20.000 MILHAS.

Shell announces backing of ambitious Ferrari
expedition of the Americas with the new 599 GTB Fiorano

Shell’s long time technical partnership with Ferrari is about to get longer – 20,000 miles longer.

Shell, which has fuelled six Ferrari Formula One Constructors’ Championships and every new Ferrari road car leaving the Maranello factory in the past decade, is extending its support of Ferrari by committing to back a new event – Panamerican 20,000. Scheduled to begin at the end of August in Brazil, the Ferrari Panamerican 20,000 is a uniquely ambitious test of the all-new 599 GTB Fiorano across the demanding terrain of South America and Central America before traversing the United States.

The journey – stretching much of the length of the Americas – will be a highly public test of the latest Ferrari supercar – its most powerful car ever developed. The three-month marathon will also be a very visible demonstration of the close partnership between Shell and Ferrari. "Shell will be behind Ferrari 100 per cent for the entire route of the Panamerican 20,000 with important technical support and a suite of performance fuel and lubricant products," said Raoul Pinnell, Chairman of Shell Brands International AG. "The spirit of our technical partnership is that we’re together for the long run, and that’s embodied by this daring demonstration spanning more than 20,000 miles in the latest Ferrari Gran Turismo product, the exciting 599 GTB Fiorano."

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 with special events and promotions. A Shell technical support team will accompany the cars throughout the expedition.

The epic Ferrari Panamerican tour promises to elevate Shell’s deep technical involvement in the Ferrari road car development story to the highly visible stature of Shell’s role with Scuderia Ferrari in Formula One.

Shell partnered with the founder of Ferrari – Enzo Ferrari – in the 1930s, before he established the company that is now one of performance motoring’s most iconic brands. To this day, every new Ferrari car is fuelled first with Shell V-Power when it leaves the storied Maranello works near Modena, Italy, as well as being protected by Shell Helix engine oil and other lubricant products.

Shell fuel and lubricant products bear the message ‘Developed with Ferrari’ to indicate the robust technical partnership between the two leaders of their respective industries.

Performance enthusiasts, who understand Ferrari’s uncompromising approach to performance, appreciate the significance of Ferrari’s choice of Shell for its exclusive products.

"The Ferrari Panamerican will be a fantastic way for Shell to demonstrate our partnership with Ferrari" said Alberto Friedrich, Global Sponsorship Manager. "Just like in Formula One, Ferrari will count on Shell expertise, technical support and logistical support. Shell will be there when Ferrari needs us, just like we are for motorists the world over."

Shell supported a similar trek across China in 2005 with Ferrari 612 Scagliettis. The 2006 crossing of the Americas is an ambitious 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.

The newest Ferrari retains the hallmarks of Ferrari sportiveness and exclusivity. It is powered by a 620 hp V12 engine, accelerates from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of more than 205 miles per hour. The 599 GTB Fiorano makes extensive use of technology transfer from Formula One, including the electronic control of the gear-change sequence of the vehicle’s technically sophisticated, hydraulically activated gearbox. F1-derived software ensures that the gear-change sequence is carried out in only 100 milliseconds from the time the driver actuates the steering-wheel-mounted, paddle-style controls.

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

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.