THE 2013 MASERATI TROFEO MC WORLD SERIES KICKS OFF AT PAUL RICARD (FRA), 27-28 APRIL 2013

The Paul Ricard circuit at Le Castellet, in the South of France, will stage the opening round of the 2013 Maserati Trofeo MC World Series. This first round will signal the start of an ever-more global championship, with races to be held in Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East.At least 24 Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeos will be on the grid, with many names from last year opting to sign up for another season. Among them, is the reigning champion: Renaud Kuppens; Konvex Motorsports Belgian driver will be out to defend the crown he won in 2012. Hoping to stop him will be the Alan Simoni-Riccardo Ragazzi pairing (who finished second last year) and Giuseppe Fascicolo, third in 2012, who will have a new partner in Andrea Ceccherello this time round. Making a return to Maseratis single-make series is Frenchman Jonathan Sicart, winner of the GT4 title in the 2010 edition of the Maserati Trofeo; teaming up with him will be Ange Barde, a driver who took part in a few of last seasons races.A new race format awaits the entrants, one that will raise the standards and make each round even more exciting than before. For the 2013 season, there will be two 30-minute events and one lasting 50 minutes (with a compulsory pit stop for all cars and driver change for crewed ones). However, the real change will be the introduction of added time for the quickest drivers: the top five drivers in the weekends first two races (determined by totalling their times) will have to pit from 5 to 20 seconds longer, on top of their compulsory 45 seconds, during the endurance race.The winner (or winners) of the Championship crown will be awarded an exclusive, numbered and name-plated Maserati 8CTF single speed bicycle. The bike derives from the Maserati 8CTF Limited Edition and has been produced by Montante Cicli in a limited run of 200, celebrating Wilbur Shaws 1939 and 1940 wins in the Indianapolis 500 at the wheel of the Maserati 8CTF.Maseratis media partner, MotorsTv, will cover the Trofeo Maserati events but for Italy an agreement has also been reached with Sportitalia. This weekend, races 1 and 3 will be beamed live from France and Radio Monte Carlo will be broadcasting live from Paul Ricard and will follow the whole season.Round 1 ProgrammeFriday 26 April Free practice 1: 12.2513.10 Free practice 2: 16.5517.40Saturday 27 April Qualifying 1: 10:30-10:50 Qualifying 2: 13:00-13:20 Race 1: 17:35- 18:05Sunday 28 April Race 2: 9:55-10:25 Race 3: 14:35-15:25MASERATI TROFEO MC WORLD SERIES - PRICESThe Maserati Trofeo MC World Series is open to all gentlemen drivers around the world, in possession of an International C race licence.RACE PROGRAMMESOFFICIAL TEST (Apr 13) + ROUND 1 (Paul Ricard - FRA):                30,000.00 + tax OFFICIAL TEST (Apr 13)+ EUROPEAN SERIES (3 events):                70,000.00 + tax WORLD SERIES (Official Test Apr 13 + 6 events):                            120,000.00 + taxTHE MASERATI GRANTURISMO MC RACE CARThe Maserati Granturismo MC keeps the same specifications of the successful car used in 2012. All cars competing in the Trofeo MC are prepared by a dedicated group of technicians to guarantee the same performance level.Private teams can also enter the Trofeo MC with their own Maserati GranTurismo MC.The cars specification must comply with the technical homologation released by Maserati (Model year 2010, 2011 or 2012).All cars, including the private Teams cars, must adopt the same set up applied by the Technical Director, over the weekend.CHASSIS AND BODYWORKBodyworkCarbon fibre.WindowsWindscreen, rear and side windows in Lexan.ChassisSteel with welded integral rollcage structure, FIA approved.InteriorBackward-set driving position, with racing seat, dashboard and console in carbon fibre throughout. 6-points seat-belt compatible with HANS protection system.Electrical systemSpecific, with data acquisition system integrated in the dashboard.Fuel tank110 l with a carbon safety frame homologated by the FIA.BrakesRacing system without ABS, with steel discs. Front disc: 380 mm, rear disc: 326 mm. Front callipers: 6 pistons. Rear callipers: 4 pistons.WheelsFront: 11x18. Rear: 13x18.TyresFront: 305/660/18, Rear: 325/705/18.Shock absorbersRacing type, fixed setting with preload adjustment.DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTWidth1914 mmLength4935 mmHeight1300 mmFront overhang 930 mmRear overhang 1064 mmWheelbase2940 mmFront track1618 mmRear Track1580 mmWeight< 1400 KgWeight distribution51.3% front / 48.7% rearENGINE AND TRANSMISSIONEngineV8Displacement4,691 ccPower488 CVIgnitionBoschdigital systemAir intakeDouble cone racing type filterExhaust systemRacing type with removable catalysersLubricationWet sumpGearboxRear, longitudinal gearbox, with transaxle scheme 6 gears + reverse, syncromesh Electrohydraulic activation, with F1-type controls