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Alberto Cerrai
won the seventh Trofeo Vodafone Maserati Europa race of the season, one in which
Andrea Palma’s fourth place was enough to secure him the championship.
The young Roman ends the season on 117 points, and with wins at Vallelunga,
Hockenheim and Imola under his belt. Second overall came the Notter/Cattori
crew, four points back. The Swiss duo finished third though they hounded Sergio
Rota and Max Cattori for second place. As already mentioned, fourth went to
Andrea Palma.
The race was a spectacular one right from the off. In the Pirelli VIP car,
Babini, in particular, was involved in a tight struggle with first Notter and
then Palma. The experience of the Pirelli test driver, sharing the drive with
the famous English model Jodie Kidd, told in the end.
Up ahead Alessi and Cerrai, author of a great start, stretched the pack with
Babini in hot pursuit. However, Babini couldn’t close the gap on the leaders or
get near enough to launch an attack on Cerrai.
A number of drivers caught the eye before the round of pit stops, among them,
Luca Frigerio, author of a great comeback, and newly crowned Brazilian Trofeo
champion Lico Kaesemodel.
One of the drivers in with a shot of the title, Maurizio Fabris, saw his chances
disappear when a contact saw him retire from the race.
The race order had a new look after the obligatory stops. The fans could now
enjoy a new duel between Frigerio and Cattori (Notter’s substitute). Following a
clash between the two, the man from Bergamo was forced to pull out while the
Swiss driver managed to continue, though with a damaged car.
Alberto Cerrai was holding a lead over Sergio Rota, who thanks to a spot-on
strategy, managed to take second place. Behind them came Max Cattori, Andrea
Palma, Alberto Vescovi and Andrea De Megni.
The positions remained unchanged until the chequered flag. Cerrai enjoyed the
joy of crossing the line first and Andrea Palma the satisfaction of being the
2004 champion.
This was Cerrai’s second straight win on this track though last year it was
Emanuele Smurra’s turn to be crowned champion.
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