20.10.2003 THE LAMBORGHINI MURCIELAGO R-GT HAS MADE A BRIEF COMPETITIVE DEBUT AT MONZA
The Lamborghini Murciélago R-GT made its much anticipated race debut at Monza in the final round of the FIA GT Championship. The R-GT, which appeared in the same 'carbon-fibre' colour scheme which it was unveiled in at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month was driven by test driver Rinaldo Capello and five times Le Mans 24 Hour winner Tom Kristensen, the pair contracted to parent company Audi.

The car ran for the first time in competitive conditions for the first time in Thursday's two 90-minute free practice sessions, and again on Friday in the 45-minute qualifying session. The three outings have provided development team Reiter Engineering the opportunity to further test the car on the fast straights offered by the Monza circuit.

However concerned by the 6.0-litre V12 engine's inability to cope with the top end speeds required by the Monza circuit, the team chose to withdraw the R-GT prior to the race.

Photos: Carlo Ombello
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