FIRST DAY AT MONZA: THE CHALLENGE IS ALREADY BETWEEN RIGON AND NUNES (MINARDI/GP)

3rd Ricci (ELK), in front of Andersen (G-TEC). There is also Cecotto Jr.

Davide Rigon and Diego Nunes were the leading drivers in the free practice of the penultimate F.3000 round takingplace in Monza. The two Minardi/GP Racing drivers were the fastest in both non official sessions. Their bestchronometric results have arrived in the morning, when Rigon, with 1'39''354 has beated his Brasilian team-mate whohad timed 1'39''598. During the afternoon session the two have scored the same order but without improving.

Only another driver has run under 1'40'': it's Giacomo Ricci, who has swapped to Elk Motorsport, and who in thesecond round of practice has scored a time of 1'39''894. The fourth time is for the Dane Kasper Andersen who, afterthe brilliant debut in Spa, has continued with G.Tec: 1'40''067 his time in Monza. Fifth place for Luiz Razia (ElkMotorsport) who's followed by the south African Jimmy Auby (Auto Sport Racing).

Worth noting is the presence of Johnny Cecotto Junior, who found a deal with Elk Motorsport on the eve of the race.For the driver it's his second experience in F.3000, after his debut last year during the race in Barcelona. An absolutenewbie is the Swedish eighteen-year-old Martin Kudzak (G-Tec).

The official practices will take place tomorrow (Saturday 20th) at 10:20 a.m. Race-1 will be at 4:10 p.m. (13 laps) liveon TV on Nuvolari satellite channel.