28.01.2004 FABRIZIO GOLLIN AND LUCA CAPPELLARI BACK FOR ANOTHER FIA GT SEASON WITH SCUDERIA ITALIA

Fabrizio Gollin and Luca Cappellari on their way to victory at Monza last year

Fabrizio Gollin and Luca Cappellari have agreed terms to drive for BMS Scuderia Italia again in this year's FIA GT series, continuing a relationship that saw them finish second in last year's championship.

Gollin and Cappelari moved to the Brescia based team last year having driven together in a Chrysler Viper during 2002. Winning the final race of the year at Monza was some consolation for a difficult season where their rapid pace was hindered by much ill-luck.

BMS Scuderia Italia won all bar two races last year with the Prodrive built Ferrari 550 Maranellos, walking away with the teams title. The team's pilots meanwhile filled the top six places in the driver's series, eventual champions Thomas Biagi and Matteo Bobbi, winning the opening race and leading the series all year.

With the team again committing to run three of the Care owned Ferrari 550's in the FIA GT Championship, the race is on to fill the remaining seats. The team are keen to retain the runaway pairing of Matteo Bobbi and Thomas Biagi. While Bobbi is believed to have agreed a new contract, talks are on going with Biagi, who is believed to have had offers from a number of teams, Including JMB Racing and new outfit GPC.

Wieth Racing, who ran a self developed Ferrari 550 Maranello last year in the FIA GT series, have confirmed that Wolfgang Kaufman has been retained for the coming season. Vittorio Zoboldi, who also drove for the German team in their debut year in the FIA GT Championship, is believed to be close to a seat. The team, run by Niko Wieth, had a difficult rookie season and for the coming campaign they have made key signings to strengthen their technical side. They will also run a 550 Maranello in the French GT Championship for Thierry Stepec and Richard Balandras, while a second car in the FIA GT series is being considered.

Elsewhere at JMB Racing, former Ferrari F1 engineer Ralf Hahn will join Hugues Lardy, who worked last year on their 575 GTC program,  to manage the technical side of the team's 575 GTC Ferrari entries in the 2004 FIA GT Championship.