As Title Battle Heats Up In All Categories
Narac-Pilet and Lietz-Roda, determined to erode the 26-points lead of Kaffer-BarbaFrezza-Couceiro to challenge Dayraut’s lead in Ferrari-dominated GTS classGiammaria-Toccacelo and Villois Aston GT2, key outsiders for overall winDebut for the SunRed SRX, the new supercar built by the Spanish outfit
The International GT Open is heading this coming week-end to one o its mosttraditional and exciting week-ends: the majestic Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, withits history, its tifosi and the superb scenery of the Parco Reale in early autumn, hasbecome one of the series’ landmark events. Not last because its position in thecalendar makes the two-race event in Lombardy critically important with regard to thetitle battle.
This is the case also this year, as two Porsches will attempt to threaten the 26-pointlead of the AF Corse Ferrari of Pierre Kaffer-Álvaro Barba. The German machines ofIMSA Performance (Narac-Pilet) and Autorlando Sport (Lietz-Roda) are tied in secondposition and will use the competitiveness regained in the second part of the season tokeep the suspense alive until the very last race in Barcelona. On the contrary, Kafferand Barba will logically do their utmost to increase their advantage, hoping that thehome track of the Cavallino will give their F430 the momentum shown in the first halfof the year.
In the role of outsiders, the EdilCris Ferrari of Giammaria-Toccacelo, while the leadingF430 of CRS Racing will be driven this time by Tim Mullen and Adam Christodolou. Theyoung Brit, who has a F.Renault UK and a Mazda Star title under his belt, issubstituting for Chris Niarchos, who is taken by business commitments. Also to betaken into consideration is the Aston Martin Vantage GT2 of Italian team Villois Racing,that Guerrero-Wiser took to a brilliant maiden win in Brands Hatch.
Monza will also see the debut of the SunRed SRX, the latest supercar designed andbuilt by the Spanish outfit. It represents the third model generation, after the CupraGT and the SR21, in the original production of Joan Orús and will be powered by aJudd V8. WTCC star Jordi Gené and Ferrán Monje will be at the wheel.
Close fight also in the GTS category, where Frenchman Jean-Philippe Dayraut (LuxuryRacing) has a 12-point lead on the Marco Frezza-Pedro Couceiro. The Kessel Racingpair lost a good opportunity to close the gap at Brands Hatch, where the F430 wastwice victim of a fire, but is still in a position to fight for the title in an all-Ferrariduel. But candidates for race wins also include the other Kessel machine of Livio-Bontempelli, the Autorlando Porsche GT3 of Deverikos-Gruber, the RPM Ford GT ofBamford-Mortimer and the Villois Aston of Lancieri-Busnelli.
The Monza entry list includes 25 cars and some novelties: are back, in Super GT, thetwo AF Ferraris of Gerber-Griffin and Garofano-Rangoni, while the RCA-prepared F430entered by the Automóbil Club d’Andorra will make its first appearance, driven byManel Cerqueda and Sintu Vives, who usually race in the Spanish GT championship. InGTS, are back the second Luxury Ferrari and the third Kessel Ferrari of Freddy Kremer.All the action from Monza can be followed by fans via the live broadcasts in Italy(Nuvolari), Spain (Sportmanía, Canal + Deportes; Intereconomía TV), Portugal (SportTV) and Poland (nSport) and in 50 countries throughout Europe by Motors TV.
Additional delayed coverage is offered by OTV in Lebanon and the Middle East and byFox Sports and ESPN in Central and South America.
Monza Timetable / Horario Monza
Friday Ast October 2010 / Viernes 1 Octubre 201011:00-12:00 Free Practice 1 / Libres 113:30-14:30 Free Practice 2 / Libres 2
Saturday 2nd October 2010 / Sábado 2 Octubre 201010:20-10:35 Qualifying 1 GTS / Clasificación 1 GTS10:35-10:40 Qualifying 1 SGT + GTS / Clasificación 1 SGT + GTS10:40-10:55 Qualifying 1 SGT / Clasificación 1 SGT13:05-13:20 Qualifying 2 GTS / Clasificación 2 GTS13:20-13:25 Qualifying 2 SGT + GTS / Clasificación 2 SGT + GTS13:25-13:40 Qualifying 2 SGT / Clasificación 2 SGT16:25-17:35 Race 1 (70’ - Rolling Start) / Carrera 1 (70’ – Salida lanzada)
Sunday 3rd October 2010 / Domingo 3 Octubre 201012:45-13:35 Race 2 (50’ - Rolling Start) / Carrera 2 (50’ – Salida lanzada)
