FIA GT: race reports

Another podium for Pirelli Ferrari

Magny-Cours, April 27th, 2003 - In front of 47000 spectators a hard race took place at the redesigned Magny-Cours circuit, with an uncertain final: the race classification in the N-GT category saw the victory of the Team Maranello Concessionaires but their Ferrari 360 Modena N 89 was later excluded by the FIA Authority due to the suspicious capacity of the fuel tank, that is probably not in keeping with the official rules. This means that, if the exclusion will be confirmed (Team Maranello Concessionaires have appealed the decision), the Autopalace Ferrari 360 fitted Pirelli P Zero with Gomez and Hiesse become third in the race classification. Good performances also for RWS Porsche 996 of Lechner Jr. and Daudi, which leaded almost all the second part of the N-GT race.

In the GT category Matteo Bobbi and Thomas Biagi of team BMS Scuderia Italia (Ferrari 550) take their second win of the season and confirm their reliability. Pirelli teams were tormented by mechanical problems but, in the first part of the race, the Force One Chrysler Viper of Mike Hezemans climbing up to second place, overtaking both the BMS Ferrari 550 and the Lister on one lap, before retiring on lap 18 because engine problem. The JMB 550 Ferraris, which had demonstrated their high performances during the warm up session, were once again tormented by reliability problems: their drivers rely on the future development program.

The FIA GT Championship has returned to the French circuit for the fourth year in succession. However, the circuit has undergone significant work over the winter, redesigning the final chicane, but the asphalt grip has remained always slippery, especially during both Saturday's qualifying session during which the track was under heavy showers. The weather made the qualifying session very interesting, without any accident, and has demonstrated the high performances of the PZero tread in the worst adherence conditions.

Next race: Pergusa circuit, Italy, May 10th - 11th

GT Podium:

1st Biagi/Bobbi Ferrari 550 Maranello 3:01:44.710 151.38 kph
2nd Cappellari/Gollin Ferrari 550 Maranello 3:01:46.094 151.36 kph
3rd Deletraz/Piccini Lister Storm 3:02:10.476 147.01 kph


N-GT Podium (to be confirmed after FIA decision):

1st Davies/Mullen Ferrari 360 Modena 3:02:41.380 146.25 kph
2nd Ortelli/Lieb Porsche 996 GT3-RS 3:03:38.904 145.49 kph
3rd Gomez/Hiesse Ferrari 360 Modena 3:03:14.092 143.77 kph