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The other two titles up for grabs have
already been secured. Maserati claimed the
GT1 Manufacturers’ Cup at Brno to repeat its
2005 success while the Vitaphone Racing Team
(above) has won its third straight teams'
title. |
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The final
round of the FIA GT International championship will take
place this weekend at the Belgian circuit of Zolder. The
track is close to Hasselt and hosted races in this
series from 1999 to 2001.
The circuit is quick and technical but it has none of
Spa’s continual ups and downs. It was been radically
changed over the years to improve its safety: in 1972 a
chicane was introduced in the stretch behind the pit
lane and three years later came modifications to lower
speed levels. In the eighties another chicane was
designed just before Terlamenbocht, scene of
Villeneuve’s terrible accident.
Despite these changes, Zolder’s characteristic features
have remained intact. The track now measures 3,977
kilometres and has its share of lengthy straights and
tricky sections. Wide curves and tighter turns, like the
90° one that spills onto the straight opposite the
start-finish line, as well as three chicanes, will give
the drivers lots to think about.
The race will decide the destiny of the one title still
to be decided. Thomas Biagi (55 points) at the wheel of
the Vitaphone Racing Maserati MC12 will have to defend
his overall lead from nine other drivers. These include
his team mates, Montanari/Ramos, and the Playteam
Sarafree duo, Bertolini/Piccini. Both crews are five
points off top spot.
Given that things are so close, the ballast the cars
will carry will play an important part. Montanari/Ramos,
after their third place at Nogaro, will have 85 extra
kilos to handle (25 kg of which is assigned by the
Federation to all the MC12s to even out the cars’
performance). Bartels/Biagi, second in France, will have
a total of 55kg of ballast. What will make the outcome
even harder to call is the weather as rain is not
entirely unusual in Belgium. The other two titles up for
grabs have already been secured. Maserati claimed the
GT1 Manufacturers’ Cup at Brno to repeat its 2005
success while the Vitaphone Racing Team won its third
straight team title.
Zolder - The last round of the Citation Cup will also be
run at Zolder. The category is reserved to gentleman
drivers and was won by Ben Aucott and his JMB Racing
Maserati MC12. Aucott made sure of the championship
crown by taking first place at Nogaro paired with
Stephane Daoudi.
The weekend in Belgium will kick off with two free
practice sessions (at 9.05 and 13.55). Qualifying will
take place at 17.35. The warm-up session is programmed
for Sunday at 10.05 with the two-hour race due to line
up at 13.15.
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