Master Maserati
Jun 19th
The Best Driving Course – Master Maserati Gets the Green Flag
‘Francois Bennahmias, CEO of Audemars-Piguet, noted that Master Maserati is exactly the sort of experience owners of his exclusive timepieces will relish. “Our customers can have anything they want. They crave always the best, which is why they buy truly rare products like Audemars-Piguet and Maserati. This course is something we can guide them to with pride, knowing it will enhance their skills and their lifestyle. Everything is first class, from the hotel and the hospitality to the school itself. My staff has been very impressed.”‘
In classes of no more than 18 people, split into groups of four or five, Master Maserati studends discover the skid pad, slalom, high-speed avoidance maneuvers, and the racing circuit driving in Maserati’s Coupe and GranSport. They learn the racing line in the world’s incomparable Maserati Quattroporte, and they feel super high performance in the Maserati Trofeo Race car. Master Maserati offers a unique sense of accomplishment from conquering the legendary Road Atlanta race track in the superbly balanaced, ultra-responsive, 400bhp GranSport.
Included in any applicable package are food, and accommodation at the luxurious Chateau Elan. Availability remains in twelve 2-day courses this year, priced at $3,400.
Guests will find deluxe accomodations at the Chateau Elan Inn and Resort, with complimentary use of workout and spa facilities, complimentary winery tour and tasting, complimentary breakfast in the Versailles Restaurant. One night is included in the Two-Day Program.
Chateau Elan is passionate about golf. So, it’s no wonder that both the 18-hole championship courses are considered some of the finest in Georgia. The Par 3, 9-hole walking course adjacent to the Inn, is ideal for a fresh air break in your racetrack schedule. Chateau Elan is also the site of the Legends, a private club golf course available to guests on a space-available basis.
For more information, please visit http://www.mastermaserati.com
MC-12 Corsa announced
May 26th
“Maserati is pleased to announce the production of the MC12 Corsa, a supercar build-to-order for a select number of Maserati clients.
The MC12 Corsa has been developed from the MC12 GT1 type which won the 2005 FIA GT Manufacturers cup, and will allow its owners to test their driving capability in the most exclusive gentlemen drivers’ environment. It will be used exclusively on track during private test sessions – or exhibition activities organized by Maserati. It will not be homogulated for road use or for any racing activities.”
With a price tag exceeding $1million dollars, this car will inevitably draw comparison to Bugatti’s Veyron. The Veyron is a W16 quad turbo (think Bentley Continental GT + two more turbos) making 1001hp. While the Bugatti makes almost 250 more hp than the MC12, it also weighs 4200lbs, over 1500lbs more than the Maserati. The Veyron ends up with a weight:power ratio of 4.2:1, while the Maserati is only moving 3.36lbs per horsepower. Put these two on a track side-by-side and the MC12 should prove to be king.
Be one of the lucky dozen to own one of these MC12s and you will feel like a king.
Victory for the MC12 at Silverstone
May 8th
This can’t be good news for the competition: Maserati MC12 driven by Michael Bartels and Andrea Bertolini wins first race of the season at Sebring, and takes home the prestigious ‘Tourist Trophy’. The Modenese car beat off Bert-Janis’ Saleen S7R and the Aston Martin DBR9 driven by Gollin-Babini.
The morning started with a wet track and uncertain weather, but after switching first to intermediate tires and then to racing slicks, the MC12s combination of speed, luck, and smart pit planning meant an easy 1st place finish.
Audemars Piguet Millenary MC12 Tourbillon watch unveiled
Apr 20th
The New Audemars Piguet watch was unveiled 4/5, and was created to celebrate the Maserati MC12’s victory in the 2005 FIA GT Championship. As with the MC12 road car, only exotic materials have been used in the construction of the MC12 watch, including a platinum body, a carbon fiber movement main plate and many aluminum moving parts.
The watch will go on sale exclusively to the official Audemars Piguet network from Autumn 2006.
Auto Hebdo Praises the Maserati GranSport
Apr 20th
Celebrating its thirtieth anniversary, the French magazine dedicates six pages to the test drive of the Maserati GranSport, placed for this occasion in the hands of a reader chosen by the editors and invited to find out what the life of a motoring journalist entails.
Dominique, the lucky reader selected to test drive the car, became more and more enthusiastic about the GranSport as his hours at the wheel of the Maserati increased: “It’s a perfectly balanced car; so much so that it is difficult to understand where its limits lie. Gear changes are simply stunning!”
The comments of the article’s author, the Journalist Romain Bernard, also confirmed his travelling companion’s enthusiast. In his oppinion, “Knowing you are going to spend a day at the wheel of a GranSport is one of the best antidepressants in the world”.
Upcoming Events
Apr 20th
Sunday April 23rd, from 1pm – 4pm at the Landmark Center in St Paul is Urban Expedition: Italy! We will have a few Maseratis on display, and it promises to be an educational and fun time.
http://www.landmarkcenter.org/ for more information
Wednesday June 14th, is the 24th annual wine tasting charity event, hosted by Campiello. This is a great event that has raised about $200,000 for the 8 neighborhoods of uptown. There will be some cars on display, plenty of wine and appetizers, and its for a great cause. More information coming soon.
Sunday June 18th, is the 3rd Annual Grille and Shine Car Show at Hazeltine National Golf Club. There will be a variety of vehicles on display, including some Maseratis, with Top 10, Peoples’ Choice, and Best of Show prizes to be given away. This event is open to the public, with a portion of fees donated to the CAP agency food shelf.
http://www.hngc.com/ for more information
Not just Schumacher…
Apr 20th
The drivers of the Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso teams have taken delivery of four Maserati GranSports for transportation during the 2006 F1 season. David Coulthard and Crhistian Klien of Red Bull Racing, as well as Tonio Liuzzi and Scott Speed of Scuderia Toro Rosso will be driving Touring Grey, Carbon Black, Mediterranean Blu, and World Championship Red GranSports. The cars were offered by Karner & Grossegger Autmobil Gmbh. & Co., KG, Wien.
What do Ferrari’s F1 drivers drive after work?
Apr 5th
During a recent behind-the-paddocks view of the F1 parking area at Bahrain it was revealed that the Prancing Horse team was using a Coupe and Quattroporte for transportation to and from the circuit in Sakhir. The use of the Trident vehicles is further confirmation of their widespread appeal as they have won over an ever-increasing number of VIPs, business people and opinion makers.
A busy year in racing for Maserati.
Apr 5th
Maserati has a busy 2006 lined up, competing in the FIA European GT3 Championship and Italian GT, while still running a full Trofeo series.
The first race of the 2006 Trofeo Audemars Piguet Maserati Europa season was run this past weekend at Monza. The race was won by Alberto Cerrai, winner of the 2005 Trofeo Maserati. The next race up for the Trofeo series will be held at Silverstone on May 7th, opening weekend for the FIA GT International Championship races.
Joining the FIA GT3 class this year is a brand new GranSport race car. This car is currently undergoing final testing in preparation for the May 7th debut at Silverstone.
In addition to the Trofeo and GranSport, the MC12 is currently competing in the Sara GT Italian Championship. The first round was held at the historic Italian circuit in Imola over the weekend of March 26th. Two MC12s took part in the race, with the Playteam Sara Free car taking the win. The next Italian GT race is scheduled for May 14th, at the Misano Adriatico circuit.
For more information about Maserati’s racing programs, check out www.maseraticorse.it