MASERATI IN THE NEWS

Trofeo Vodafone Maserati Europa - Valencia (E), 2 October 2005

Alberto Cerrai wins the Trident series

Briton Maurizio Fabris won yesterday the last race of the Trofeo Vodafone Maserati Europa, finishing ahead of Italian Alberto Cerrai and Swiss duo Hans Notter/Max Cattori.

Thanks to his second place, Italian Alberto Cerrai has won the Trofeo Vodafone Maserati Europa at the third attempt.
The championship victory was a deserved one for the Italian driver. He scored wins in Barcelona, Silverstone and Nuerburgring and also secured two second and two third places. Cerrai notched his first pole position in the Trident single-make series in Valencia. He finished second overall in 2003 and third in 2004.

In the overall classification, the Swiss crew of Max Cattori and Hans Notter ended the season in second place thanks to four second places, a third, a fourth and a fifth place. They ended this year in the same position as last when they enjoyed a tight duel with Andrea Palma until the very end. Unfortunately, the pair had to be content with the silver medal once more.

Maurizio Fabris was the other main player in the Trofeo Vodafone Maserati Europa. He was the only other driver to triumph on three occasions: Imola, Spa and here at Valencia. He also finished on the podium when he came third at Monza. Fabris was unlucky at Nuerburgring otherwise he would have been in with a chance of victory.

Emanuele and Stanislao Smurra remain fourth in the overall classification after their retirement at Valencia. They were one place ahead of the crew formed by Francesco Ravasio and Diego Alessi.

The result hung in the balance right up until the chequered flag. Diego Alessi took the lead at the start. Just behind him was former Spanish F3 Champion Marcel Costa, in the Pirelli VIP car, and Alberto Cerrai. These two went all out for the lead and Cerrai, with half an eye on the title, made way for Costa. Behind them Fabris was waiting for his moment to strike.

Costa was forced to pull out of the race at the pit stop, after a stone cracked the radiator of his car. Fabris moved into the lead while Cerrai held second from Ravasio/Alessi. In the end they would be overhauled by Notter/Cattori and Andrea De Megni. De Megni, in the Pakelo VIP car, took the overall win in the Sponsored Drivers' Classification.

Ravasio/Alessi scored their best result of the season finishing ahead of Alberto Vescovi in sixth. Zenere/Harada (GFL23 VIP car second in the Sponsor Drivers' table) were seventh and Fiata/Panacci came eighth. Walter Forer crossed the line in ninth, just in front of Armando Roggero.

The other VIP cars had an unfortunate time as Marcel Costa/Francesco De Beaumont (Pirelli VIP car) had to retire and the Eurosport car with David Serra Cervera/Fabio Francia on board twice left the track.

The Vitaphone VIP car driven by the young German pairing of Kati Droste/Mario Kossmehl ended the race in seventh but were hit with a 25 second penalty for an infringement during the rolling start. Thus, they classified thirteenth.

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A total of 10 ex-formula 1 drivers have taken part in the Maserati Trofeo Championship, as VIP guests, since its start three years ago. Among these Britons are Johnny Herbert and Tiff Needell, and Irishman Ralph Firman who each shared a drive with supermodel Jodie Kidd in the Pirelli VIP car in the 2005 season.

Lady drivers were also featured prominently in the Trofeo series. A total of 11 women took turns at the wheels of Maserati Trofeo GranSports, including ex-F1 driver Giovanna Amati, TV presenter Vicki Butler-Henderson, Jackie Ickx’s daughter Vanina and supermodel Jodie Kidd. Jodie, who couldn’t take part in the last two races of the Championship as they clashed with her wedding and honeymoon, still managed to finish 4th in the Sponsored Drivers’ Championship, behind Andrea De Megni, Gianmarino Zenere and former 250cc motorbike World Champion Tetsuya Harada.

In the Dealers’ Championship, Ferrari Maserati UK came second, behind Rome’s SAMOCAR.

The Trofeo Maserati still has another two dates in the calendar. On 4 December the city circuit of Florianopolis in Brazil will host the invitation-only Finals. On the day a select group of drivers from the Trofeo Vodafone Maserati Europa and the Trofeo Brazil (which ends on 20 November at Interlagos) will be battling it out. The Trofeo will also be making an appearance at the Bologna Motorshow (dates to be confirmed), where supermodel Jodie Kidd and Fabio Babini will be defending the Trophy conquered last year in the Maserati Trofeo Pirelli car.

Maserati also plans to hold a Trofeo Maserati championship in the United States, details of which will be released soon.

Notes to Editors:
1. The Maserati Trofeo GranSport is the racing version of the Maserati GranSport. Built at the Maserati factory in Modena on the same production line as the GranSport, the Trofeo was designed to offer the driver an easy-to-drive car capable of stirring the emotions on the race track. The 4200cc V8 engine produces 415 bhp and coupled to the six-speed gearbox from the standard road car it allows the driver to make the most of the power without compromising the torque. The ride height has also been reduced by 50 mm. All non-essential accessories have been removed, substantially reducing the weight of the Trofeo and improving the handling of the car.

2. Trofeo Vodafone Maserati Europe – Racing Calendar 2005

8-10 April 2005 Monza, Italy – FIA GT
6-8 May 2005 Barcelona, Spain – F1 Grand Prix
27-29 May 2005 Imola, Italy – FIA GT
8-10 July 2005 Silverstone, UK – F1 Grand Prix
28-30 July 2005 Spa, Belgium – Spa 24 Hours
2-4 September 2005 Nürburgring, Germany – European Le Mans Series
30 Sep-2 Oct 2005 Valencia, Spain – WTCC

Media contacts:
Al Clarke
Communications Director
Ferrari Maserati UK Ltd
e-mail: aclarke@maserati.co.uk

Silvia Pini
Media Relations Manager
Ferrari Maserati UK Ltd
e-mail: spini@maserati.co.uk

Jason Harris
Press Officer
Ferrari Maserati UK Ltd
e-mail: jharris@maserati.co.uk