For the third round of the 2003 season, the LG Super Racing Weekend series is heading to its southernmost point, the Italian track of Pergusa, on the island of Sicily. 

The multi-series platform first visited the track last September, when an excellent weekend of racing saw wins for the Lister Storm of Jamie Campbell-Walter and Nicolaus Springer and the Freisinger Porsche 996 GT3-RS of Ortelli and Lieb in the FIA GT Championship, while both rounds of the FIA European Touring Car Championship were won by Fabrizio Giovanardi, then driving an Alfa Romeo 156 GtA. 

The spectators flocked to the 4.95 km circuit, set in the natural basin formed by an extinct volcano, and the excellent weather provided a perfect backdrop for the sport. This year, Giovanardi has moved to BMW, but is determined to maintain his excellent record at the circuit. 

In the FIA GT Championship, both Lister Storm and Larbre Competition must be hoping to put bad luck behind them, while BMS Scuderia Italia aims for a hat-trick of wins. In the N-GT category, Porsche is still looking for its first win of the season, after victory in Barcelona and Magny-Cours went to the Ferrari 360 Modena cars of JMB Racing and Team Maranello Concessionaires; the German manufacturer's cars were dominant last year in Pergusa. 

Although the Renault Sport Clio Trophy and Renault Sport Elf Clio International Cup will be present in Italy as the support races, the Formula Renault V6 Eurocup has opted to cancel the Pergusa round, in order to continue the development of the new cars. 

BMS SCUDERIA ITALIA HOLD COMMANDING GT LEAD

Thomas Biagi and Matteo Bobbi proved that their Barcelona win was no fluke when they took a second consecutive victory at Magny-Cours, while Fabrizio Gollin and Luca Cappellari finished in second place, increasing the team's point score to 36, giving the Italian team a 22-point lead over Lister Racing. Pergusa is likely to be more difficult for the team, however, as the Ferrari 550 Maranello cars struggled over the chicanes in 2002. "We are realistic about Pergusa. Our car does not appreciate the kerbs," team logistics manager Marco Streparava explained. "Therefore, we will run a defensive race, trying to obtain as many points as we can, but it will be hard. However, we are very pleased with our results in the first two races, for which we have to thank the team, drivers and Michelin. We know we are quite lucky to have such a good lead at this stage of the season." Thomas Biagi is looking forward to the race. "I know Pergusa really well; I did my first race there, in 1993, in Formula Europa Boxer. I like racing in Sicily, the fans are very passionate about racing, so the atmosphere is great. I am really looking forward to the race, as I am enjoying the FIA GT Championship very much. I know the Ferrari cars had problems there last year, but I am confident we can do a good job. The team is working hard, even during the public holiday yesterday, and we are all pushing hard to win, working on our dreams. I know that 80 kg penalty weight will be difficult, especially over the kerbs and under braking, which is important at Pergusa, but I am still positive - I'm aiming for 100 kg !" 

TEAM MARANELLO CONCESSIONAIRES LEADS CHAMPIONSHIP DESPITE EXCLUSION

After Team Maranello Concessionaires' two Ferrari 360 Modena cars led the N-GT class at Magny-Cours, the nr 89 car of Burt and Turner was later excluded from the results, due to the capacity of the fuel tank. The team has appealed the decision, and a hearing will be held shortly. With their team-mates Davies and Mullen inheriting the win, the British team provisionally has a lead of 11 points over second placed JMB Racing and Freisinger Motorsport. "In our maiden year, TMC are clearly delighted to be leading both the drivers' and team Championships at this early stage of the season," TMC Commercial Director John Newman explained. " Although our victory with car 89 remains provisional at this stage as our exclusion is under appeal, we are confident that Kelvin Burt, Darren Turner, and the team will have the points they worked so hard to achieve in Magny-Cours restored shortly. We now look forward to competing in Sicily and, knowing that Enna is a particularly punishing circuit, the team are working tirelessly to prepare both cars for the challenge that awaits us. Given the dedication and skill inherent in the team, from drivers, engineers and mechanics, we are confident of further success in a week's time." 

BERTOLINI CONFIDENT FOR JMB RACING AT PERGUSA

Andrea Bertolini and Fabrizio De Simone crossed the line in 7th place in Magny-Cours, provisionally inheriting sixth place. Added to the points for their Barcelona victory, JMB Racing is currently joint second in N-GT. "We had engine problems in Magny-Cours," Bertolini explained. "The car was good for the first six laps, and then we lost power. As for Pergusa, the important thing there is to be fast through the chicanes. I'm not keen on the circuit, I prefer tracks like Spa-Francorchamps, Brno or Mugello. However, I am optimistic for the race, and hope the car will be better this year than it was in 2002." 

The French team also has two Ferrari 550 Maranello cars running in the GT category. Neither car was able to finish the Magny-Cours race, although the drivers seemed optimistic concerning the progress made. "The car had a good set-up at Magny-Cours, and Philipp Peter managed some good times, but we are still lacking reliability," Fabio Babini explained. "Pergusa is a very fast circuit, and to do three hours with the accelerator pedal on the floor will not be easy for us, but the project is still very new, and the whole team is working very hard. Last year, I was on the podium, but this year I will be happy if we get to the end." 

NEW CAR FOR AUTOPALACE FOR PERGUSA

French team Autopalace has made an excellent start to its first season in the FIA GT Championship, finishing fourth at Barcelona. Despite losing a door, the team crossed the line in fourth place at Magny-Cours, inheriting third afterwards. With 11 points, Gomez and Hiesse are currently joint fifth in the Drivers Classification. However, the team is expecting to take delivery of a new car today, and will be testing on Friday and Monday to prepare for Pergusa. "It is a new Michelotto chassis, which has been in the hands of an Italian tuner. It has a mechanical gearbox, while waiting for a sequential one. The car has been prepared as an endurance car, and will be perfect for Spa," press officer Sophie Bassaler explained. "We need this new car, especially the gear-box, in order to be able to fight with JMB and TMC. We're very pleased with our progress so far; compared to the leading teams, we are a very small outfit, but we will do all we can to be competitive. With only one car, we can't aim for the Team title, but we hope our drivers can aim for the podium"