VITANTONIO LIUZZI (MERCEDES C63 AMG) TO LINE-UP AS THE CHAMPIONSHIP LEADER IN BELGIUM - ANDREA PALMA (FERRARI 458 ITALIA) LEADS THE GTSPRINT CHARGE
The spectacular Spa-Francorchamps circuit, a world-renowned and adrenalinic venue located in Belgium - close to the Ardennes forest - will be providing a sensational frame for round six of the 2012 SUPERSTARS INTERNATIONAL SERIES, starting this weekend (July the 14th and 15th). As the stars of the FG Group-promoted championship will be battling on one of the World's finest circuits, Vitantonio Liuzzi will be lining-up as the championship's leader after his successful run at the Hungaroring. The former F1 racer, fielded by Caal Racing AMG, currently has a 6-point edge over 2010 Champion and BMW runner Thomas Biagi.
Despite having lost the point in standings, young Swede Johan Kristoffersson, fielded by the KMS team on an Audi RS5, is ready to fight back soon after having left a strong impression so far. Gianni Morbidelli will also be back for the Audi brand on a circuit where he previously entered four Formula 1 races with a best result of 6th in 1994 on a Ford-powered Footwork.
Also joining the Mercedes camp will be Roma Racing Team with Nico Caldarola returning as a driver/manager. The Rome-based squad's second Mercedes will be shared by Alessandro Garofano and Luca Rangoni, who won the team's maiden race last season at Misano.
Mika Salo will be back under the Maserati banner with Swiss Team. The Finnish ace, who made a positive debut earlier this season at Monza, will try to make his way to the front again in Belgium alongside his team-mate Mauro Cesari. Another new entry will be running for Team BMW Dinamic, where British racer Jeff Smith will join Biagi and Stefano Gabellini who will be back for more glory after his double podium finish at Mugello.
Looking for his maiden win, Colombian Camilo Zurcher will be back after coming inch-close at the Hungaroring. Alongside his team-mate, who achieved the same goal at Mugello, he will defend the colors of Team Romeo Ferraris. On the other hand, Jaguar will be relying on the service of veteran Max Pigoli, who brought the British brand back to win at Monza before losing ground due to several tough breaks suffered in the following rounds. Last but not least, Race 2 winner at Mugello Francesco Sini will be behind the wheel of the Solaris Motorsport Chevrolet Lumina, determined to do it all again in Belgium.
The GTSPRINT SERIES is landing at Spa-Francorchamps with Andrea Palma getting closer and closer to clinching his maiden title aboard his Black Team-prepared Ferrari 458 Italia. The Italian squad, directed by Oscar Berselli, will also field a 430 model for the young pair of Francesca Linossi and Simone Pellegrinelli. The GTS2 pack is also set to feature the powerful Porsche 997 lined-up by Autorlando Sport for Glauco Solieri. The Bologna-based man is looking forward to grab his first win of the season.
In the GTS3 category, the Corvette Z06 R of Roberto Del Castello and Roberto Benedetti will be facing an all-Ferrari opposition. Alongside the class-leading Ferrari 458 Italia driven by Mario Cordoni for Ombra Racing Team, same-powered rookie Francois Perrodo will be joining the ranks for the famed AF Corse squad.
In the GTS Cup Trophy, Colombian Steven Goldstein will be lining-up as the points leader and will return aboard the GDL Racing Porsche 997. An all-american muscle car will join the battle in the hands of multiple Finnish F.Ford Champion Antti Buri, as LMS Racing will be fielding a powerful Dodge Viper. Another Porsche will be brought on-track by Vittorio Bagnasco, with the duo of Roberto Delli Guanti and Gianfranco Bocellari representing Ferrari with a 430 model.
The many fans of the two championships are expected to support a really intense series of events from the grandstands and in the paddock. The popular Paddock Show entertainment will be back at the series' arena with interviews, autograph sessions and much more. For the fans back at home, a wide live TV coverage plan will provide all the SUPERSTARS excitement in 175 countries worldwide. In Belgium, SUPERSTARS and GTSPRINT will be covered by Motors TV.
