Ahead of the FIA GT Championship’s opening round in Barcelona next weekend (5/6 April), Team Maranello Concessionaires’ two Ferrari 360 N/GT race cars undertook two days of comprehensive testing at Estoril over the weekend of 29/30 March.  Despite inclement weather on Saturday 29, both cars provided drivers Kelvin Burt, Jamie Davies, Tim Mullen and Darren Turner with an opportunity to complete a total of 200 laps of the circuit in preparation for the season opener in Barcelona next weekend.  In addition, the TV cameras were on hand to record the team’s activities as part of episode one of ‘Ferrari Racing’, TMC’s 10-part documentary programme, scheduled for broadcast on Sunday 6 April on Sky Sports 2.

Kelvin Burt (car 89) : “We could always do with more time and the weather didn’t help but at least Darren and I had a chance to complete 100 laps of Estoril today (Sunday).  We have a few minor issues to rectify before Barcelona but the team will sort these out in readiness for Spain.  I must say, the car feels good and I feel confident about our chances next weekend.”

Jamie Davies (car 88): “We have spent a lot of time with Dunlop this weekend trying different tyre compounds which is always productive.  In view of the weather yesterday though, our circuit time on Saturday was restricted to pit stop practice but this will ensure that by the time we race in Spain next weekend, we will be able to save critical seconds in the pit lane.  The weather also highlighted a small problem with the heated front screen which the team had a chance to rectify.  Tim and I also had an opportunity to try out the car’s new brakes which are simply awesome and the car is running really quickly!”

Tim Mullen (car 88) : “The car felt good today (Sunday) and its just a shame that the weather prevented any real time on-track yesterday.  Nevertheless, a full day today with the circuit to ourselves has taught us even more about the car and both Jamie and I should be able to put this knowledge to good use next weekend.”

Darren Turner (car 89): “This is exactly what we needed.  Despite being rained off on Saturday, Kelvin and I had an opportunity to spend a lot of time in our car today (Sunday).  It will make our lives a lot easier come testing in Barcelona next Friday in preparation for the first race.”

Team Manager, Rod Benoist, commented, “After a quick shakedown at Silverstone last week, the Team were keen to travel to Estoril to ensure that the cars and the drivers were ready for Barcelona.  Although the season is 10 races long, we are keen to kick off with a good result and are confident that the work we have done to date will enable us to achieve success in Spain.  Despite the weather yesterday (Saturday), the team were able to capitalize on the time and conduct a series of practice pit stops.  This will make a critical contribution to our performance next weekend.”

Commercial Director, John Newman, added, “Our goal is to impress from day one.  We have continued to invest in the team in readiness for the FIA GT Championship in order to ensure that we repeat the success we achieved last year in Britain.  The cars look impressive in their new TMC race livery, all team members are working extremely well together and we have strong leadership in the hands of Rod.”

Silverstone’s Stowe circuit provided an ideal opportunity to shakedown the two cars on 24 March ahead of the team leaving for Portugal.  Young Scottish talent, Andrew Kirkaldy (who will join the team for the Spa 24 hour race in July) was on hand at Silverstone to complete pre-season photography with his fellow drivers and the Team’s newly-liveried transporter.