|
The super-fast
Silverstone in England circuit will this weekend host the
first round of the FIA GT and the newly created FIA GT3
Championships. Also on the track will be the second round of
the Trofeo Audemars Piguet Maserati Europa.
In the top category for GT1 cars, the Vitaphone Racing Team
MC12s will be out to defend the title they won last year.
The team is in determined mood and is also focusing on
securing the Drivers’ crown with crews formed by Andrea
Bertolini and Michael Bartels and by Thomas Biagi and Jamie
Davies. After the disappointment of Bahrain, the Modenese
company’s official test driver is ready for another attempt
on the title. At his side will be a solid driver in Michael
Bartels. In the German outfit’s second car will be Thomas
Biagi – 2003 FIA GT Champion – and Englishman Jamie Davies.
Davies starred in the MC12 both at Spa and Bahrain in 2005.
|
 |
|
Maserati's single-make series is being held at the
English circuit for the third time. Much is expected
of current points leader Alberto Cerrai (above), as
well as Maurizio Fabris and Andrea Demegni. |
|
 |
|
The Team Racing Box
MC12 made a winning debut in the GTN class of the
Caprino Spiazzi held at
Verona late last month. With Adriano Baso behind the wheel, the MC12
impressed the crowds along the 7.3 km circuit. The
track has a height difference of 320 metres with a
slope of 6%. Making its first appearance in this
type of race, the Modenese 12 cylinder was
victorious in the GTN class and came home fourteenth
overall. The event, now in its twenty-eighth year,
saw over 109 vehicles line up on the grid. |
|
|
 |
|
The FIA GT3 Championship will be hosting its first
ever event on the 5.141 km Silverstone circuit where
six Maserati GranSport Light cars will be in action. |
|
|
The FIA GT3 Championship will be hosting its first ever
event on the 5.141 km Silverstone circuit. The cars that
will compete in this brand-new low-cost series are much
closer to standard production models than the race-ready GT1
vehicles. The sporting format sees the event start with
two one-hour free practice
sessions; two 20 minute qualifying sessions, separated
by 10 minutes. Each driver takes part in one session;
The first qualifying session sets the grid for the first
race; The second qualifying session sets the grid for
the second race; The fastest driver in each car starts
the second race, the slower driver starts the first
race; Race day will see two one-hour races, with a compulsory driver
change between the 23rd and 37th minute, with a rolling
start.
The team AF Corse and GPC Trofeo GranSport Lights will be
appearing in the championship. Team GPC will be fielding two
cars with Arlotti/Cutrera and Gini/Barbaro on board. The
squad from Piacenza will have three Trofeo GranSports on the
grid. These will feature Palma/Sperati, Casé/Passuti and
Alessi/Cerrai.
Andrea Palma, after winning the 2004 Trofeo Maserati,
followed this up last year by taking the Italian GT3 series
with Danilo Zampaloni. Curiously, the Roman duo of Diego
Alessi and Alberto Cerrai will also be racing in the Trofeo
Audemars Piguet Maserati Europa. The Modenese company’s
single-make series is being held at the English circuit for
the third time. Much is expected of current leader Alberto
Cerrai, Maurizio Fabris and Andrea Demegni. At the wheel of
the Trofeo GranSport will be Sergio Rota, who participated
in the first two editions, supermodel Jodie Kidd (partnered
by Jean Coulomb) and Antonio Andolfato.
|
|
|
|
