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MC12
Road Version Ready For Delivery
August
31, 2004 – Modena

Maserati has presented the 25 road versions of the MC12 to
the FIA (Federation Internationale Automobile).
The
25 supercars are ready to be delivered to customers. Three racing
versions of the MC12 were also presented, the one unveiled
last March
at the Geneva Motor Show and the couple that will make their
debut at Imola for the AF Corse team.
The
drivers who piloted the stunning MC12 at its debut in the FIA
GT championship at Imola are the Englishman Johnny Herbert
and
Italian Fabrizio De Simone in one team. The Finn Mika Salo
and the Italian
Andrea Bertolini make up the other team.
First
comments from the
management and the drivers a week before the Imola race
Martin Leach (Maserati C.E.O)
The
history of Maserati is one of sporting success, splendid and
fascinating automobiles and exclusive clients.
We
have completed the series of 25 MC12 roadcars and they are ready
for delivery to the clients and the track cars
in which
we will
make our racing return to an international championship
are being prepared.
For
us then, it is a historic moment: a supercar (as well
as a complete range), the races and the celebration
of
90 years
since
Maserati’s
founding. Keep track of us, the Trident is
back.
Claudio
Berro (Director Maserati Corse)
It
is an exciting moment as it marks the return of a great automobile
manufacturer to competition after
a
gap of thirty
years.
All
the cars have been completed and selected and so all that remains
is for the track to give its
verdict.
We believe
that
we have worked
well over the past two years. Even the group
that works on the production of the road cars has made
a huge
contribution and
I think that the
blend of road and race cars is a good one. We
will find out
at Imola whether it is also a winning combination.
Giorgio
Ascanelli (Technical Director Maserati Corse)
The
race version is derived from the road version of the MC12, with
a close eye kept on performance
and
costs. We
would like
our future
clients to possess an easily manageable car
with great performance and good reliability.
The times
set during
testing have been
satisfying.
We
worked very hard on improving reliability. We tried to build
a product that our clients
can fully
exploit.
For this
reason,
drivability
and interior comfort – important factors when different drivers
will be racing – are very good.
Andrea
Bertolini (Driver)
The
road going car and the race spec car are very similar. The MC12
is a very
easy vehicle
to drive,
and one in
which it is
easy to find
the limit.
We
work well with Mika Salo. We completed the last three tests together
and,
most significantly, we
give the technicians
similar
feedback
on the car.
I
am really pleased to see Fabrizio De Simone again as he was my
team
mate last
year. Johnny
Herbert,
with his
insights,
is someone
else who will also be able to improve
the car even more.
It’s quite exciting. It has been very busy testing, and I think
we should be ready for the race. I can’t wait to get to Imola.
It’s a very comfortable car to drive, very well balanced, very
comfortable especially for the long run. The car is perfect for long
races.
It’s very easy to drive, and you don’t have to push it
very hard like a normal race car to get a good time. I’m expecting
good results from the first race.
I
am more than satisfied because we signed the agreement
a few
days ago
and the
first test at
Mugello went
extremely well.
I
know what
to expect from the car.
The MC12 is a pleasant car to
drive. Comfort
is
very
important
in races of this
type.
A car
has to be set up
in two specific ways
for two different drivers,
and I think
that the
perfect combination has
been found.
Maserati
is an automobile brand with a rich racing
tradition
behind it
and I am
honored
to be chosen
to drive for
them (Maserati) in
the FIA GT championship.
Fabrizio
de Simone (Driver)
The
first sensation is that the MC12
is an extremely
precise and reliable
car to
drive.
What I found
was that it was
easy to establish
the right feeling
with this
car.
I was pleased about
this, and it cheered
me
up. Anyway,
the car is an
exceptional one
to drive.
For
me it is an honor to have Johnny
Herbert
as
a team mate.
He has
lots of experience,
like very
few
other
drivers. For
me this
is an
opportunity to
learn and improve.
In any
case, everything
will
be easier as
the kilometers are
clocked up.
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