MOTORSPORT NEWS ARCHIVE
Cerrai wins first round of Trofeo Maserati
Italian Alberto Cerrai, reigning champion of the Trofeo
Maserati, won the first race of the 2006 Trofeo Audemars Piguet Maserati
Europa yesterday (2 April 2006) at Monza. British driver Moz Fabris and
Italian Manuel Villa took second and third place respectively.
The final laps of the race witnessed a tight battle for
second spot between Manuel Villa and Andrea De Megni in the Pakelo VIP
car. De Megni nudged Villa into a spin from which he recovered to come
back onto the track in fourth. At the chequered flag, the race order was
Cerrai, De Megni, Fabris and Villa but a 20 second penalty for De Megni
relegated him to fourth place. It was the first podium in the Trofeo Maserati
for former rally driver Villa.
Starting from P2, just behind pole-man Diego Alessi, Cerrai
held second place until lap 14 when he eased into the lead and increased
his advantage lap after lap.
The safety car was called onto the track in lap four, after
Brazilian Beto Richa went off at the Ascari curve. The group compacted
once more, with Alessi in the lead. During the following lap, Nicolò
Oddi overshot turn one and ran into Moz Fabris's car first then into Alberto
Radaelli's. Oddi, who races with Matteo Cambi, owner of Italian fashion
label Guru, was forced to retire while Fabris continued to finish the
race and Radaelli managed to keep going until the 17th turn, before his
damaged car finally gave in.
Luigi Moccia and Stefania Grassetto, the only woman in
this race, finished a great seventh in the Toora VIP car. They were beaten
by Alberto Pizzicannella (fifth) and Alberto Vescovi (sixth). The third
VIP car, bearing Audemars Piguet colours, finished 15th with former WRC
driver Jean Claude Andruet and Philippe Liechti on board.
The other UK driver, Phil Burgan, at his debut in the Maserati
Trofeo series, finished a respectable 11th.
The next round of the Trofeo Audemars Piguet Maserati Europa
will take place at Silverstone (UK) on 7 May 2006. The event will support
the FIA GT International Championship.
Trofeo Audemars Piguet Maserati Europa - Monza, 2 April
2006
Final standings:
1. Cerrai 23 laps in 51'38"907
2. Fabris + 23"294
3. Villa + 31"154
4. De Megni + 31"592
5. Pizzicannella + 33"806
Drivers' classification:
1. Cerrai 25 points
2. Fabris 20
3. Villa 16
4. De Megni 13
5. Pizzicannella 11
Trofeo Audemars Piguet Maserati Europa - Race 2006 Calendar
1 - 02 April Monza (I) - WTCC
2 - 07 May Silverstone (UK) - FIA GT
3 - 28 May Brno (CZ) - FIA GT
4 - 02 July Oschersleben (D) - FIA GT
5 - 29 July Spa (BE) - FIA GT (24h)
6 - 17 September Mugello (I) - FIA GT
7 - 08 October Valencia (E) - WTCC
Maserati Trofeo GranSport
The Maserati Trofeo GranSport is the racing version of the Maserati GranSport.
Built at the Maserati factory in Modena on the same production line as
the GranSport, the Trofeo was designed to offer the driver an easy-to-drive
car capable of stirring the emotions on the race track. The 4200cc V8
engine produces 415 bhp and coupled to the six-speed gearbox from the
standard road car it allows the driver to make the most of the power without
compromising the torque. The ride height has also been reduced by 50mm.
All non-essential accessories have been removed substantially reducing
the weight of the Trofeo and improving the handling of the car.
Pirelli are a sponsor and sole tyre supplier of the
Trofeo Audemars Piguet Maserati Europa. Pirelli P0 tyres have been specially
developed for Maserati Trofeo GranSports.
©
italiancar.com.au 16/04/06
