Maserati Reparto Corse have been testing privately at the Paul Ricard in the South of France once again this week, with two customer team's also getting a first chance to try out the GT1-class MC 12 sportscar.

The four scheduled days of testing kicked off on Tuesday at the 5.759km Paul Ricard HTTT test circuit, a favoured location of race teams to carry out test and development work. Maserati test driver Andrea Bertolini, and Pirelli tester, Fabio Babini, were both on hand to drive the 2005-specification V12-engined machine.

The MC12, now full homologated for the new GT1 class, clearly shows off the bodywork changes that have been forced on it by the FIA in order to meet their technical requirements for 2005. The test, which is once again being held in private has been shrouded in secrecy, and apart from 'tyre development work' and 'new technical features', little is officially being given away.

However Maserati are known to be working on technical solutions this week to allow the MC 12 to make a last minute appearance in this years stateside American Le Mans Series. Negotiations have been on-going all winter between ALMS, IMSA and the ACO in an effort to get the car accepted, and a last minute dash to the season opener at Sebring has not as yet been ruled out.

Also present at Paul Ricard this week are the MC12's first customer teams. Vitaphone Racing, with the German Michael Bartels on hand, and Team Racing Box, with Giuseppe Perazzini and Gabriele Matteuzzi at the wheel, were also running at this test session. The two teams will be competing in this year's International FIA GT championship, and the Italian GT championship, respectively.
 

Testing started on Tuesday with Bertolini covering 48 laps, posting a best of 1:48.108, while Babini ran 31 laps, his quickest a 1:48.108. Wednesday saw the official Maserati test driver complete 62 laps, stopping the clock at 1:48.317, while the Pirelli driver ran 45 laps with a best time of 1:49.347. The conditions continued to remain dry yesterday and Babini began the running in the morning, completing 68 laps, and registering a fastest time of 1.48.640. Andrea Bertolini took over in the afternoon, and he ran 24 laps, setting a best time of 1.48.166.

Alongside the MC12 this week, two Maserati Lights have been pounding Paul Ricard, brought by Scuderia Giudici and AF Corse. Both teams will be running the car in the Italian GT Championship this year. The first Light was driven by Gianni Giudici and Diego Romanini, while the second one was pedaled by Portuguese driver Rui Aguas.

Derived from the Trofeo model, this version is lighter, powerful and uses different bodywork. Last year the Maserati Light scored a string of excellent results in the Italian GT series and in the US Grand Am series. This car, which complies with FIA GT3 rules, is now under further development.

Vitaphone and Racing Box concluded their test programmes yesterday, but Bertolini and Babini will be on hand today to drive the Reparto Corse MC 12 for a fourth and final day.