Italian GT, Imola - Preview
Fireworks Under The Sun

Round 4 of the Italian GT Championship will held this weekend at Imola, where the constant theme should be the “tropical” conditions - the sun will blaze well over 35°C but heavy showers are expected during the two days.

A rather disappointing 20 cars, among all classes, are on the entry list - the only major change in the driver pairings is in the GT Cup, where the title contender Porsche 997 of Baccani will have the services of multiple Touring Car legend Fabrizio Giovanardi who will take the normal duties of Bellini who has had a domestic accident; nothing serious but he can’t race.

In GT3 we’ll have the return of the Corvette, so at least the Autorlando-Audi Sport Italia duel will have another contender. GT2 will have the lonely Coggiola brother’s 997 RSR. The GT Cup will be the usual duel between the Gallardo of Sanna-Stancheris and Livio-Piccini, versus the Italian pride of the “old” 430 of Malucelli-Pierleoni, and the usual angry pack of Porsches. GT4 will be another all-Ginetta war, with plenty of fireworks.

Race 1 takes place on Saturday afternoon, with race 2 on Sunday; again live on Italian TV.

Gabriele Tosi