UK launch for Pirelli Grand Prix Challenge

The Pirelli Grand Prix Challenge, which first went live in the US in 2011, has now been expanded to the UK market. The tyre maker has high expectations for the online Formula One prediction game – last year, the American GP Challenge website received 140,000 unique visits and had over 700,000 page views. Prizes to be won through the challenge include a trip to the 2013 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.

“Pirelli introduced the GP Challenge to America last season, and we were delighted to hear that 29,000 users had signed up to the game in its inaugural year,” commented Pirelli UK marketing director, Wayne Nickless. “Fantasy games have become increasingly popular over the past few years and we have been pushing to have the game introduced to the UK market for quite some time.  With the excellent prizes on offer, and the fact that the game is free and easy to use, we hope that the GP Challenge will prove just as successful in the UK as it has been across the Atlantic.”

Four rounds remain in the 2012 F1 season, each comprising four Formula One races.  After every four races, Pirelli announces a round winner and all players will start again with a zero points balance.   In addition to the individual GP and Round winners an overall winner who has accumulated the most points throughout the season will be announced.  There is no purchase required to participate and users can sign up at any time during the season.

A host of well-known names have already signed up to forecast their predictions in the interactive game, including former British racing driver and TV presenter, Tiff Needell, Pirelli test driver Lucas di Grassi, Autosport magazine’s F1 editor Edd Straw and F1 journalist and correspondent for BBC Radio 5 Live, James Allen. Users can view celebrity predictions ahead of each race, and use their knowledge and expertise as a guide when making their own forecast. Participants will also be able to set up competitions in the Pirelli GP Challenge group game, allowing individuals to create a separate group with friends, family or colleagues.

In addition to the main prize of a VIP trip to the Austin Grand Prix, the best predictions after each round will be awarded prizes such as limited edition Raidillon watches, Intro-Tech Automotive’s Pitstop Racing chairs and sets of Pirelli tyres.  Other prizes on offer will include a driving experience for two, Apple products and tickets to Silverstone.

Registrations for the Pirelli Grand Prix Challenge can be made at the www.pirelligpchallenge.co.uk website.