14.02.2004 COURT OF APPEAL VERDICT MEANS GABRIELE TARQUINI IS FINALLY CONFIRMED FIA ETCC DRIVERS CHAMPION

The International Court of Appeal met in Paris, on Thursday February 12, in order to examine the appeal introduced by the Knac Nationale Autosport Federatie on behalf of Carly Motors B.V., car no21 Duncan Huisman, against the decision taken by the Italian Court of Appeal on December 11, 2003, concerning the incident during the final round of the 2003 FIA European Touring Car Championship run at Monza on October 19, 2003.

An incident in which involved Huisman and Autodelta’s driver Gabriele Tarquini. Between 10:30 and 14:30, the Court presided by Mr. José Macedo e Cunha (Portugal), and composed by Mr. Vassilis Koussis (Greece), Mr. Graham Stoker (Great Britain) and Mr. Jan Stovicek (Czech Republic), heard both drivers and three technical experts: Jacques Berger (FIA), Andreas Bellu (BMW Motorsport) and Michele Caporaso (Autodelta).

Having heard the explanations of both parties and examined the various documents and other evidence, the Court quashed the decision of the Italian National Court of Appeal, and decided to fine both competitors Carly Motors and Autodelta by $25,000 for an infringement to Appendix L, chapter IV (Code of Driving Conduct on Circuit), and to Articles 152 and 153 of the International Sporting Code.

The decision of the Court meant that Gabriele Tarquini can now finally be named 2003 FIA European Touring Car Drivers’ Champion.