Trofeo Maserati at Valencia for the sixth round

Modena, 31 August 2011 – The Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, Spain, welcomes back the Trofeo Maserati GranTurismo MC a year since the last race here, this time for the sixth round of the season. The result of the pre-summer break meet at Donington went the way of Trofeo leader David Baldi who extended his lead over his two direct rivals. Before Donington the Tuscan had a 5 point lead over Nicolò Piancastelli but is now on 102 points, 14 up on Venezuelan Gaetano Ardagna. Ardagna, thanks to his win at the English circuit, is up into second spot.

The current standings highlight just how exciting the Maserati single-make series is and how the title is still wide open with just three races to go. Once the Spanish round is out of the way, next on the calendar is Vallelunga, on 18 September, before the grand finale at Mugello on 2 October.

Behind the front three is Dutchman Mathjis Bakker, paired with Mark Kroes, also from Holland; a crew that will be trying to trouble the leaders at Valencia. Also hoping to grab the spotlight in Spain will be Lebanese newcomers Tani Hanna and Joseph Ghanem, who will be racing together.

In the No.18 Radio Monte Carlo car will be Spanish journalist Jaime Hernandez. The Spaniard also appeared in the Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeo last year at Ricardo Tormo and will compete as a guest, meaning that he will not pick up any championship points.

The Team series will see leaders AF Corse (on 130 points) line up with Cedric Sbirrazzuoli and Alessandro Chionna. Swiss Team, with Swiss drivers Davide Durante and Matteo Grassi, will be battling it out, as will Konvex Motorsport and their driver, Belgian Daniel Waszcinski.

Radio Monte Carlo will be tracking all the action at Donington with their weekly ‘RMC Motori’ and ‘RMC Music & Sport’ shows. Sunday’s link is programmed for 15.45 and the two races will be beamed by Italian satellite channel Nuvolari.

Video clips will be available on www.thenewsmarket.com while the www.maseraticorse.com website will provide in-depth reports and driver interviews throughout the weekend.

Maserati Corse Press Office, Filippo Ghialamberti, GSM +39 347 5339022, mediaracing@maserati.com
Photo: credits Maserati/Mario Chiarappa