26.06.2004 The exciting new Maserati MC12 'Stradale' prototype ran in anger for the first time in public up the famous hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed today

The new Maserati MC12 'Stradale' prototype ran for the first time in public up the famous hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed today, an event which claims to be the 'world’s biggest and most diverse celebration of the history of motor sport'.

It is the only occasion where you can see in action the greatest competition cars and star drivers from all eras: everything from 19th century steam carriages to current Formula One, fabulous racing motorcycles, 2500bhp Land Speed Record cars alongside engineless soapbox racers, plus motor sport legends like Moss, Surtees, Brabham and Andretti rubbing shoulders with today's hottest properties such as Jenson Button and Colin McRae.

The supercar paddock is always brim full with the most potent of machines and this year the MC12 was part of a line-up from Italy that included the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti as well as the Lamborghini's Gallardo and Murcielago. Other sporty names included Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Noble, Marcos, Morgan and Spyker.

The MC12 Stradale, which will see just fifty examples built over the coming year, held its own, grabbing the attention of onlookers drawn to its stunning, aggressive lines.

From the MC12 Stradale a GT racing version has been developed. The result will be that 37 long years after its last victory in an international championship the Trident is returning to the track. And with the MC12 is will be returning in style, and at the front.

The car has beed designed for high level road use, it can exceed 330 km/h at full throttle, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Although easy and pleasant to drive on the road, the MC12 is also a brilliantly dynamic car. It handles very sweetly and fluidly yet the driver can still feel all the power of a genuinely sporty thoroughbred under the surface.

The new model adds the definitive flourish to Maserati’s return to the racing circuits after the recent and highly successful debut in the Daytona 24 Hour Race, of the Trofeo Light, inspired by the equally impressive single-series protagonist. Under the guidance of engineer Giorgio Ascanelli, Maserati’s Racing Division is currently developing the new car to meet the rules of the major international championships.

The client version for road use will be available exclusively in a white and blue livery, harking back to an old Trident tradition. In fact, blue and white are the colours of the America Camoradi (Casner Motor Racing Division) Scuderia which raced the famous Maserati Tipo 60-61 Birdcages in the very early 1960s with Stirling Moss as their lead driver.

The MC12 will be living its life in the public eye, and its first runs publicly in anger, up the famous 'Goodwood Hill' have taken place in front of the watching world, and the huge enthusiastic crowds, estimated at around 250,000, over the course of the weekend. On its first major public engagement since it was revealed at the Geneva Salon in March, Maserati's brand new supercar did not disappoint.