Posts tagged corse
Maserati takes Superstars Series title
Oct 25th
Truth be told, I hadn’t heard of the Superstars Series, which is similar to the German DTM, Japanese Super GT, and Australian V8 Supercars series. The competitive field is made up of naturally aspirated V8 two and four door cars like the Mercedes C63 AMG, BMW M3, Audi RS4, Cadillac CTS-V, Jaguar S-Type R, Porsche Panamera S, and Maserati Quattroporte EVO. The EVO is a specialty race version of the Quattroporte featuring the bad ass widebody setup you see above, in full race trim.
Driver Andrea Bertolini drove his Swiss team Maserati Quattroporte to the championship, after trailing by 20 points leading into the final races at Vallelunga. Bertolini is a driver and test driver for Maserati and Ferrari, and previously won the FIA GT series in the Maserati MC12 in 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010 – the only Italian driver to have won four international FIA titles.
Here’s a rather raw video of some highlights from the race at Monza, earlier this year:
The Swiss team was founded in 2008, to kick off the Maserati Quattroporte Superstars project. Based in Switzerland, the team now consists of 13 people, with Engineer Giuseppe Angiulli acting as Technical Director. Giuseppe’s experience covers 5 years in F1, 2 years in Alfa’s DTM project, 2 years working for BMW Motorsport, and work on ALMS prototypes. He collaborated with Michelotto Corse in developing the Ferrari F360 and F430, and worked with team Villorba Corse’ F430 in the Italian GT series. He worked for Vitaphone racing for two years as Track Engineer while they competed in the FIA GT championship, running Maserati MC12s.
Here are some more photos of the fantastic Maserati Quattroporte EVO:
GranTurismo MC Corse In-Car Video
Dec 15th
I ran across this in-car video of the GranTurismo MC Corse testing at Monza on YouTube today and had to share:
GranTurismo MC Corse Concept Revealed
Sep 29th
9/24 – Maserati’s new concept car was unveiled during the Maserati Day, an event held at Monza. No word yet on whether this car will be produced for GT racing, but I think we’ll see this competing in 2009, in either the FIA GT3 European Championship series that the Gran Sport Light used to compete in, or possibly the GT4 class that the Trofeo Light currently competes in.
Maserati’s race engineers have fine tuned the GranTurismo S’ aerodynaic efficiency with a new front bumper – increasing airflow to the engine and brakes, and a front “chin spoiler” for additional downforce. The hood features a new large air intake plus cooling vents towards the rear.
The front of the car now features side air-vents which lead into the new side skirts under the doors. To the rear of the car the boot spoiler has been re-sculpted to produce increased down force to match the front splitter. The lower rear bumper has been re-worked to incorporate additional air vents and centrally located tailpipes.
The Maserati Racing Department engineers have made major improvements to reduce the car’s weight while also enhancing its performance. The chassis has been significantly lightened and stiffened with the application of an integral rollcage, to meet FIA regulations.
The coachwork, partially modified to meet new FIA regulations, is in composite material. This has led to better weight distribution and an overall weight under 3,100 lbs, a 1,000 lb reduction from the production GranTurismo S.
The suspension, brakes, wheels and tires have seen upgrades to meet racing specification including: Single-rate racing dampers, larger brake discs with moobloc racing calipers, and new 13×18″ rear and 12×18″ front wheels wrapped in racing slicks.
The engine has been revised to further increase performance without impairing reliability. The 4.7L V8 now generates 450 hp, and 376 lb-ft of torque at 4750 rpm. The intake and exhaust systems have been revised through a new open element air filter beneath the large hood inlet, and a full racing exhaust system with race-type catalytic converters and silencers.
Specifications:
- Engine: V8
- Displacement: 4,691 cc
- Maximum power: 450 hp
- Maximum torque: 376 lb-ft at 4,750 rpm
- Power to weight ratio: < 7lbs/hp
- Body: In composite material. Windscreen, rear, and side windows in Lexan.
- Chassis: In welded steel with integral rollcage structure, FIA approved
- Interior: Backward-set driving position, with racing seat, dashboard and control console in carbon througout. 6-point HANS compatible seat-belt.
- Electrical System: Specific, with data acquisition system.
- Fuel Tank: 26.4 gallon, with carbon safety structure, FIA approved.
- Brakes: Steel discs, front ⌀ 15″, ⌀ rear 12.5″, without ABS.
- Wheels: Front 12×18″, rear 13×18″
- Tires: Racing slicks
- Weight: < 3,100 lbs
Links:
maseraticorse.com
FIA GT 2006 Roundup
Dec 12th
After dominating the 2005 FIA GT series, Maserati had many challengers vying for a piece of their success in 2006. The MC12 teams competed against six teams running Aston Martin DB9Rs, two Saleen S7Rs entries, and one Corvette C6R.
Overall the MC12s won five of ten races, and collected both Team and Drivers titles. These important wins brings the Maserati MC12’s international titles to four; (one Constructors’, one Drivers’, and two Team), a total of 10 wins, 21 podiums and two consecutive wins at the 24 hour of Spa-Francorchamps.
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.
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
2005: A look back at Maserati’s victorious return to racing.
Feb 3rd
With a couple of months until the 2006 racing season starts, here is a look back at 2005, a major year in the history of Maserati racing.
For 2005, two customer teams each raced MC12 cars in the full FIA GT Championship; the German team, Vitaphone Racing, ran two cars in their distinctive black and green livery, while Monaco-based JMB Racing also had two cars, in dark blue. The races were designed to be a true test of man and machinery; most races were three hours in length, with a 24-hour race thrown in at mid-season.
Right from the beginning of the season, at the historic Monza circuit in Italy, the MC12 proved itself the perfect car for the series. It claimed four of the top five places in the season opener, and followed that up with a clean sweep of the podium at Magny-Cours, in France, three weeks later. These two races set the pattern for the season; the MC12 was fast and consistent, and at least one Maserati finished on the podium at each of the eleven races.
In their first ‘official’ season of competition since 1957, Maserati took the Manufacturers’ Cup, and Vitaphone claimed the Teams’ Championship from JMB – in both competitions, Maserati racked up more points than the rest of the competitors combined. The MC12 took four wins, eight second places and six thirds – eighteen podium finishes from 44 starts, a remarkable rate of success.