- 1 -
FORMER F1 STAR TESTS MASERATI AT CALDER AHEAD OF PGTC DEBUT
Former Ferrari Formula One pilot Ivan Capelli made a surprise visit to Melbourne’s Calder Park on the Monday immediately following the Australian Grand Prix (17 March 2008), but not as a spectator, the Italian star getting behind the wheel of Jim Manolios’ Maserati Trofeo GT3 for some ‘hot’ laps.
“This was a double-edged session,” Trofeo Motorsport’s Rod Wilson explained. “Ivan is a friend of ours and we have been speaking to him over recent months about getting him into the car whilst he was here - for two reasons.. One, as a former Maserati instructor and race driver, his knowledge of the car and the package would be invaluable, as would his immense experience as a driver.
“Secondly, we have been long discussing the possibility of inviting Ivan to compete in a couple of rounds of the Pirelli Gran Turismo Championship, and he wanted to see for himself what it would be like.”
With the mercury continuing to hover around the low 40s as it had done all Grand Prix weekend, Capelli strapped himself into the Maserati GT3 and was quickly introduced to the new MoTeC logging system now adapted to the cars in Australian spec. From there it was a quick tug on the harness before slipping the electro-hydraulic F1 style paddle-shift selector into first and exiting pit lane.
From lap one it was clear Capelli needed little time to acquaint himself with either the car or the circuit, a plume of white smoke from the left front corner signalling that he was indeed ‘on it’ immediately.
Changes in ride-height, minor rebound adjustments on the front shock absorbers and a fresh set of tyres provided both Capelli and Trofeo Motorsport with all the data they needed.
“That was an incredibly valuable session,” Rod Wilson agreed. “Ivan is regarded as one of the quickest drivers in the world, and he showed us exactly why, he was very quickly onto the pace we’d set here just a week ago (in much cooler conditions) and was very detailed in his feedback.
“In one way we’re a little frustrated because we wanted to find that he was five seconds a lap faster.. In the end his best lap on old rubber was within thousandths of a lap we did last week. On new rubber he set the car’s fastest time, which gave us a great benchmark..”
“The car is very good,” Ivan confirmed. “Apart from very slow gear selection with the Ferrari inspired shift system, it behaved very well, it was predictable in the way it handled, although there are a couple of things that could improve it’s overall handling, but Rod and Jim were already aware of that. It is a very good car and very well prepared, I look forward to driving one of the Trofeo Motorsport cars in the Grant Turismo Championship very soon..”
As one of Italian television’s leading Formula 1 analysts, Capelli travels the world with the world championships commentating on every round, so maintains a busy schedule, however he has confirmed to the PGTC team that at this stage he will be available during August and November to contest rounds of the championship in Trofeo Motorsport’s third Maserati GT3.
“It is a great coup for the championship and great profile for GT competition in Australia,” said PGTC’s Jim Manolios. “Ivan is a terrific guy and very approachable, and with his media talents will provide us more than just a focal point to benchmark our performances, we’re really looking forward to his return.”
For now the Trofeo team and the rest of the entrants in the Pirelli Gran Turismo Championship are focussing on the second round of the series which will be held at Melbourne’s Calder Park Raceway on April 26-27.
2008 Pirelli Gran Turismo Championship points (after round one)
1. Rod Wilson - Maserati Trofeo GT3 (30 points)
2. Graeme Cook - Porsche 996 RS (26)
3. Scott Lyddiard - Dodge Viper GT3 (17)
4. Roger Lago - Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Car (16)
5. Jim Manolios - Maserati Trofeo GT3 (12)
2008 Pirelli Gran Turismo Championship Calendar
Rnd#1 WakefieldPark, NSW (March 1-2)
Rnd#2 CalderPark, VIC (April 26-27)
Rnd#3 Queensland Raceway, QLD (May 17-18)**
Rnd#4 Winton, VIC (June 14-15)
Rnd#5 Adelaide International, SA (July 25-26)**
Rnd#6 CalderPark, VIC (August 30-31)
Rnd#7 Queensland Raceway, QLD (September 27-28)
Rnd#8 Winton, VIC (November 1-2)
Rnd#9 WakefieldPark, NSW (November 29-30)**
** 1-hour endurance format
(ends)
For further information, please contact
Edward Butler
/ Tel: +61 2 9701 8000General Manager / Fax: +61 2 9701 3555
MaseratiAustralia and New Zealand / E:
Edward Rowe
/ Tel: +61 2 9701 8000Public Relations Manager / Fax: +61 2 9701 3555
Maserati Australia and New Zealand / Mob: +61 407 913 244
E:
Maserati Media web site:
Australia:
New Zealand:
Release Number: Maserati_152
Date of release: 10/24/2018 8:25:03 AM