24.03.2004 REFETTLED AND REFINED: BMS SCUDERIA ITALIA ARE READY TO DEFEND THEIR FIA GT CHAMPIONSHIP CROWN

Reigning FIA GT Champions, BMS, are all set and confident for the start of a very competitive 2004 season with a virtually unchanged driver line up and three tried and tested 6 litre, V12 engined Ferrari 550 Maranellos.

“All three chassis were re-jigged and re-checked by Prodrive during the winter, and they are now all like brand new,” remarked Technical Director, Marco Gadola.  “For this year we have a brand new, state-of-the-art AP brake system, featuring the latest innovations in braking, and we also did some small detail work on the cars over the winter. 

"Essentially though, they are the same as last year.  All three cars are exactly the same, very consistent.  We are looking to do some aerodynamic work soon but this is subject to discussions with the FIA on the series’ aerodynamic regulations.”

Team Manager, Tiziano Minuti, offers the team’s perspective for the season.  “This is our third year with the Ferrari 550 and we now know it very well.  As a team, we have paid a lot of attention to all technical aspects of the car and we are very comfortable with the operation and running of it. 

"We know we are capable of getting great results, and we are just waiting for the other competitors to show us what they can do.”  

FIA GT Champion Matteo Bobbi is the only BMS driver with a new partner this year, Gabriele Gardel of Switzerland replacing Thomas Biagi.  Bobbi said after the Monza test a few weeks ago,  “I am very confident for the coming season.  It would be difficult to repeat what we did in 2003, although of course I think it’s possible.  I am sure we can do a very good job. My new team-mate was impressive during the Monza test days.  We tested many different things, always running with a heavy fuel load. I also did a long run in race configuration, and the lap time was very good, so I think we have good reason to be pleased.”

Car no.1’s Gardel was very upbeat after his first laps in the Maranello:  “The handling is very good and easy, a bit like a F3000 car.  The torque is something completely different though, not like a F3000 car.  It’s fantastic!”

Luca Cappellari and Fabrizio Gollin are renewing a strong working relationship in car no.2 with a view to improving on their second place finish in last year’s Championship.  For Luca, the Monza test was a welcome opportunity to get behind the driving wheel and he relished every moment.  “It was my first time in a car for nearly five months.  The temperatures were a little cold at the beginning of the month but otherwise it was just great to be back.”

Gollin echoed this view,  “I raced at Interlagos in January with a Viper so at least I’ve done some driving over the winter, but it’s really good to get back into the Ferrari.  For sure it will be harder in the Championship this year because others will be more competitive, but we are confident we having a winning team and a winning car.”

As last year, BMS Scuderia Italia will be managing an entry of a Ferrari 550 on behalf of Care Racing.  The driver line up of Lilian Bryner, Enzo Calderari and Stefano Livio remains the same as last year, and all three are looking forward to the increased challenge in competition. 

The highly experienced Enzo Calderari, speaking on behalf of car no 3’s drivers, is very aware of where the dangers lie:  “I think the Saleen this year will be very strong and quick, especially if they have two strong drivers in a car.  We know that the Ferrari 575s have the capability to win races, and it will be interesting to see how their pace and reliability is.  From our point of view, it’s good to have the same driving team as last year, the continuity helps with our race preparations.”