15.01.2003 MASERATI GEARS UP FOR RACING RETURN AS TROFEO SERIES FILLS OUT
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| Maserati makes its official
return to motor racing in April, with the launch of the Maserati Trofeo
Championship for identical V8 Coupe Cambiocorsa-based race cars. The high-profile
seven race series is supported by Vodafone and visits five European countries
– Britain, Italy, Germany, France and Spain. Two events, in Italy and Britain,
will be held in conjunction with the Formula 1 Grand Prix, and four will
be Endurance events, supporting the FIA GT Championship and German DTM
series. The last race will be held with the traditional “Finali Ferrari”
racing days.
There will be 26 Trofeo cars on the starting grid, and it will be possible to enter two drivers for endurance events. All the Trofeo race cars will be prepared and run directly by the Maserati factory, to guarantee technical equality and similar performance. Built on the regular production line at Maserati’s recently refurbished Modena factory, the specially developed front-engined, rear-wheel drive Coupe Cambiocorsa Trofeo weighs less, goes faster, and has even sharper responses than its sister road car. Extensive testing of the prototype Trofeo by Ferrari F1 drivers Michael Schumacher and Luca Badoer has ensured that the specification of the 2003 race cars will offer drivers a challenging and rewarding experience and exciting racing for spectators. All the Maserati Trofeo models are fitted with 4.2-litre engines with revised electronics to boost power output by 6% to 413 bhp. To encourage close racing, each engine is tested, and certified to produce the same power, before being sealed for the season. The Trofeo has been put on a tough diet and stripped of the regular Coupe’s air-conditioning, sound-proofing, and all non-essential accessories. Total saving is over 460 lbs, cutting the racer’s weight to just 3,014 lbs. This weight-loss is achieved despite the addition of FIA-standard safety kit, and an impact-resistant 100-litre fuel tank. Mechanical changes from the road car are few – the engine is mechanically entirely standard – while other changes to make the cars race-fit include an upgraded braking system, specific damper and spring settings, racing seat, safety roll-over cage, larger diameter and wider wheels (9” x 18” front, 10” x 18” rear), slick Pirelli racing tyres and aerodynamic additions to the body. |
| > provisional calendar:
5-6 April Barcelona,
Spain FIA GT
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