Frassineti-Beretta (Lamborghini Huracan) in Super GT3 and Tujula-Vainio (Lamborghini Huracan) in Super GT Cup are the winners of Race-1 of the 5th round of the Italian GT Championship. In the race of the highest classes, Ombra Racing’s pairing proceeded the Ferrari 488 driven by Malucelli-Cheever (Scuderia Baldini 27) and the BMW M6 GT3 of Comandini-Cerqui (BMW Team Italia), while in the single make configuration series Vincenzo Sospiri Racing’s lineup got on the top step of the podium leading Antonelli Motorsport’s Ruberti-Hurata and Kasai-Basz. The victory in the other classes went to Bontempelli-Niboli (GT3), Pisani-Palazzo (GT Cup) and Neri-Veronesi (GTS). Race-2 for classes SGT3 and GT3 will get green lights tomorrow at 13,55 with live coverage on Raisport, while the start for classes SGT Cup, GT Cup and GTS will be at 15,50 with live coverage on AutomotoTV.
SUPER GT3: Flawless victory for Frassineti-Beretta, the pairing that secured their second win of the season keeping the provisional classification very short. Now five lineups are within 26 points, all having the same chances in the title quest. The victory of Ombra Racing’s pairing is rooted in qualifying when Frassineti claimed a splendid pole position. The Italian driver has been very quick at the start and, behind him, Malucelli and Cerqui could not do anything to stay ahead of him. Beretta was handed the leading car. The young driver did not have problems to lead his Huracan to the top step of the podium ahead of the Ferrari 488 of Malucelli-Cheever and the BMW M6 GT3 of Comandini-Cerqui, as the latter led the non-PRO classification. At the feet of the podium, Agostini-Zampieri, with the driver from Padova completing a great overtaking move on Treluyer in the first stint, as the latter managed to clinch P5 together with co-equiper Ghirelli. The young driver from Puglia managed to fend off several attacks moved by Rugolo who, together with co-equiper Gai, was sixth leading Veglia-Galbiati, Cioci-Schirò, Cassarà-Gentili and Palma-Baruch. Gai is still leading the classification at 114 points, while Malucelli-Cheever are second (106) and proceed, Frassinti-Beretta (105), Agostini-Zampieri (96) and Schirò (88).
GT3: The return of the Audi R8 run by Audi Sport Italia for Rangoni-Magnoni produced good spectacle in class GT3 with a battle comprising the three different brands: Ferrari, Porsche and Audi. The victory went in the end to Bontempelli-Niboli on the 458 Italia run by MP1 Corse, but the challenge could have been even more open if GT3 poleman Rangoni had not been penalized by a contact with Palma, allowing Niboli, to get the lead, while the duel involving Veronesi and La Mazza inflamed the fight for P3. After the pit stops, Magnoni, who took over from Rangoni, took the lead proceeding Bontempelli, Magli, Baccani and Colajanni, but a drive through handed to Audi’s driver due to pit lane speeding handed the lead of the race to the MP1 Corse driver. At the flag, Bontempelli led Magnoni and Baccani, who managed to get past La Mazza with four laps to go, taking fourth and leading Colajanni. The provisional classification sees Venerosi-Baccani on top at 129 points, leading Niboli (100) and La Mazza-Magli (94).
SUPER GT CUP: A all-Vincenzo Sospiri Racing duel is being fought on top of the classification reserved to the Lamborghini Huracans. The victory in Race-1, went to Tujula-Vainio that managed to lead team mates Liang-Ortiz by just two points, as the latter were fourth at the flag. The victory of the Finnish lineup has never been questioned, thanks also to an exceptional first stint by Tujula and a perfect second part of the race by Vainio, who were 29s clear of Ruberti-Hurata, the latter at the debut in the Italian series, while the third step of the podium, after an incredible comeback due to a pitstop, went to Basz-Kasai. Perolini-Negra were a great fifth leading Lewandowski-Miszkowski, Pastorelli-Bonacini, Ryan Hardwick, Giudice-Perlini and Desideri-Necchi, the latter had to recoup from the final place after a contact early on. Cazzaniga-D’Amico were hit by bad luck as they were second after the drivers change but had to retire with eight laps to go due to an excursion at Rivazza.
GT CUP: The victory of Pisani-Palazzo (Porsche 997-Siliprandi Racing), that added 20 points to the stunning score of the driver from Genova, who is close to the Italian title. Pisani took an early lead proceeding his rival Giuseppe Nicolosi (Porsche 997-Ebimotors) and, despite 45s of handicap served at the pit stop, Walter Palazzo kept the lead of the race proceeding Francesco La Mazza.
GTS: A good victory Neri-Veronesi (Porsche Cayman) adds further uncertainty to the final classification, that is still led by Sabino De Castro (Porsche Cayman). Ebimotors color bearers, despite the start from the pits, were second 7s short of Kinetic Racing drivers, as Neri was good to take an early lead on Marchetti. The Nova Race driver got beached at Rivazza, forcing the deployment of the safety car. Neri and De Castro started a good duel leading Maino. At the end of the round of pit stops, Veronesi, who took over from Neri, kept the lead from Arrigosi to De Castro, as the latter had to serve a 30s time handicap. Arrigosi had to retire six laps before the end due to a technical problem, while De Castro installed himself behind Veronesi, who crossed the line first leading Ebimotors driver and Magnoni.
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