Italian GT, Mugello - GT2/3 Race Two Report
Autorlando Domination 

Fine weather and pleasant sunshine was the setting for the second race of the major classes at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello. All 13 starters among the two classes were on the grid, with the hope being that the racing would be the talking point on this occasion. But before looking at how things turned out, the usual time penalties:

GT2 Moncini-Montermini 25 seconds, Cioci-Perazzini 20, Cirò-Rugolo 15 and Palma-Mugelli 10

GT3 Albuquerque-Bonanomi 25 seconds, Gattuso-Lavio 15, Roda-Lietz and Capello-Giraudi 10

As the green lights went green (quite late we have to say…) things already were quite a bit “messy”, with a three-wide Ferrari battle for first position into the first corner; Cirò having the upper hand and taking the lead, from Cadei, Palma and Moncini. Fifth overall and first in GT3 was Bontempelli, then Bonanomi and Roda – who was being pressed by Perazzini and Dalle Stelle in the remaining GT2 Ferraris. The main straight, however, was very much Porsche territory and Roda blasted past Bonanomi, causing the Audi to lose momentum and another place to Perazzini.

But it was a short-lived glory for Perazzini as he outbraked himself and parked the AF Corse Ferrari in the gravel trap without any chance of escape. Another move was made by Moncini, who got Palma for the third overall spot.

other early retirements were Bontempelli, with mechanical gremlins, and Garofano, who for several laps experienced brake problems at the “Bucine” (the last turn) and flat-spotted the right front, until inevitably exiting in big way. After crashing out Roda in race 1, it was not a good weekend for the AF Corse team.

By this point in the race there were only 10 cars still racing.

Cirò eased away from Palma - now second - who was himself being hunted by Moncini. It was a very pleasant surprise to see Roda fourth overall and strongly leading the GT3 class and gradually pulling away from Bonanomi (some 25 years of age between the two…), while third and fourth in GT3 were Lavio and Giraudi.

Just as Roda was preparing his assault on Moncini, at the end of the main straight the right front of the Villorba Corse Ferrari exploded in a big way. Moncini was able to maintain control of the car and return to the pits, but a full lap was lost.

The mandatory stop was now very close and after it the position hadn’t changed much, with Rugolo-(Cirò) still leading by about 10 seconds, from Lietz-(Roda). Third overall and second in GT2 was Mugelli-(Palma), then Valentini-(Dalle Stelle) and the two Audi R8s, with Albuquerque-(Bonanomi) in front of Capello-(Giraudi) and a fast recovering Gattuso-(Lavio).

The final part of the race saw the perfect expression of “domination” by the “man from Venus” Richard Lietz, gaining (despite all the penalty in weight and power restriction) some 1 to 1.5 seconds per lap on Rugolo. The overtaking manoeuvre was a master piece, coming on the outside of the “Scarperia” - historically a place where only the “big right foot” drivers can overtake.

Lietz completed a perfect race for the Autorlando team, taking the chequered flag first overall and of course first in GT3; this time strongly supported by his teammate Roda, in one of the best performances from the gentleman-driver. Rugolo finished second (first in GT2) only by a blink of an eye from Mugelli. Fourth, and completing the GT2 podium, was the black Ferrari of Dalle Stelle-Valentini, while the final laps saw another recovery drive by Gattuso, who got the two Audis one after the other and finished second in GT3.

It was not perhaps the “earthquake” weekend we were afraid of - Autorlando is still top in GT3 and the title will likely not be resolved until race two in Monza in October. The Audis are the other main title contenders, but don’t count out Gattuso and Lavio, who are constantly scoring huge points.

GT2 is still close, despite all the dramas this weekend, because every pair has to drop two (big) scores and right now the standings are closer than ever.

Race result - here

Gabriele Tosi