FIA GT 2004: Pirelli victory at Imola with Saleen and Ferrari, "virtual" second Maserati.

Great week-end again for Pirelli: all the three steps of the podium have been occupied by cars Pirelli equipped, after a dramatic race that it has seen also the return to the competitions of Maserati with the new MC 12 Pirelli equipped. The performances of the Saleen of the Konrad - Vitaphone team, that it has demonstrated once again a good reliability joined to the great performances, have dominated the Maserati and Ferrari 550 of the competition also marking the best lap. A double stint with the same Pirelli PZero tyres has allowed Bartels and Alzen to remain leaders for nearly all the contest. Once again Alzen thanks the Pirelli tyres: " Although the high temperature of asphalt tyres has maintained performances for all the double stint always offering an optimal grip for 65 laps: thanks to this we have been able to hold le leadership regarding Maserati also in the last laps of the race". Regarding Maserati, is to note that drivers and cars have express a great potential in terms of power and reliability, arriving in second and thirds place virtually, because the FIA rules they cannot take points in classification. "Real" second and thirds have been therefore the Ferrari 550 of Scuderia Italia team, respectively with Gollin and Calderari. Clamorous in NGT class the Ferrari 360 Modena of Pescatori and Alexander: it has demonstrated an optimal performance in all the situations, always holding head to the Porsche squadron and winning with nearly half minute on the competition, after obtained the pole position. Final Classification: 1 5 1 5 GT Bartels/Alzen Saleen 97 1:47.399 2 33 GT Bertolini/Salo Maserati MC 12 + 1 LAP 1:48.202 3 34 GT Herbert/Simone Maserati MC 12 + 1 LAP 1:48.400 4 2 GT Capellari/Golli Ferrari 550 + 2 LAPS 1:47.685 5 3 GT Livio/Calderari Ferrari 550 + 2 LAPS 1:48.665 6 13 GT Naspetti/Morbid Ferrari 575 + 3 LAPS 1:48.778 7 11 GT Peter/Babini Ferrari 575 + 3 LAPS 1:49.823 8 1 GT Bobbi/Gardel Ferrari 575 + 3 LAPS 1:47.699 9 62 NGT Pescatori/Alexander Ferrari 360 + 4 LAPS 1:52.498 10 17 GT Wendlinger/Melo Ferrari 575 + 4 LAPS 1:49.066