OZ Racing
| OZ SpA
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| legal form | Spa |
| founding | 4th January 1971 |
| Seat |
San Martino di Lupari ,
|
| management | Claudio Bernoni |
| Website | www.ozracing.com |
The OZ SpA is an Italian manufacturer of alloy wheels . The company is best known for its strong involvement in motorsport under the OZ Racing brand .
history
The company was founded on January 4th, 1971 in a garage in Rossano Veneto , by Silvano Oselladore and Pietro Zen. Their initials resulted in the company name OZ. In 1978 the company was converted into a joint stock company and a factory was built in San Martino di Lupari . In 1982, OZ acquired the luxury sports car manufacturer Lamborghini as an exclusive customer .
Two years later the racing department was founded and the company entered Formula 1 as a supplier to Alfa Romeo . Since then, there have also been world championship titles for teams and drivers equipped with OZ bikes such as Alain Prost ( Williams F1 ) and Fernando Alonso ( Renault F1 ). The Formula 1 commitment continues into the present. 2008 used BMW Sauber F1 and Red Bull Racing special wheels from OZ. OZ has been supplying the Ferrari team with light alloy wheels since 2012 .
Due to major growth in the 1980s, the factory was expanded significantly in 1992. In 1998 OZ was one of the first Italian manufacturing companies to achieve ISO 9001 certification. The OZ Group includes the two branches OZ Japan Ltd. and OZ Deutschland GmbH.
In addition to Formula 1, OZ is also active in numerous other racing series. The rally sport is best known , where drivers equipped with OZ bikes have won numerous titles - most recently Sébastien Loeb in 2007 . Other successes include victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans , the Indianapolis 500 , the FIA GT Championship and in the DTM . With Aprilia , a motorcycle team was also equipped in 1999 . The standard cars of Formula E are also equipped with OZ rims.
