Michael Satterfield
Maserati claimed both races at Monza in Round 1 of the Competition102 GT4 European Series. It was an fine achievement for the Maserati GranTurismo MC GT4s as they made their debut in this European Series in the best way possible. Race 1, held on Saturday afternoon, saw the Luca Anselmi-Giorgio Sernagiotto crew from Villorba Corse take the win. On Sunday, victory went to Romain Monti.
It turned out to be a fantastic weekend for the team from Veneto: they also celebrated Patrick Zamparini-Alessandro Fogliani’s win in the AM category (fifth overall), the third spot claimed by Piotr Chodzen and the twelfth place secured by his son, Antoni, in Saturday’s event.
Romain Monti, was able to count on the backing of the staff that oversaw the Maserati Trofeo in years gone by and, thanks to his 2015 title in the single-make series, he earned the right to drive a round in a European GT4 series. The Frenchman pocketed top spot in Race 2 as he left the pit lane following his compulsory stop; he was fourth in the early stint. Monti claimed victory even though he was overtaken by two Chevrolet Camaros because the red flag was flown two minutes from the end, freezing the positions as they were on the previous lap when the safety car was on. Race officials decided to call time on the race as one of the cars had leaked oil all over the track, making racing too risky.
In Race 2 came another encouraging result for Villorba Corse as Anselmi/Sernagiotto took eighth and the pairing of Fogliani-Zamparini again finished on the podium with third in the AM category (tenth overall).
Completing the “Squadre Clienti Maserati” line up was Swiss Team, with its crew of Giuseppe Fascicolo-Mauro Calamia, winner of the 2014 Maserati Trofeo World Series. The Italo-Swiss pair were hampered by a suspension problem, one that made qualifying tough and race results a struggle.
Another name from Maserati Trofeo history, Alessandro Iazzetti, appeared behind the wheel of a GranTurismo MC GT4. He finished in eighteenth and twelfth, respectively.
Luca Anselmi (Villorba Corse) – Race 1 winner: “I am really pleased with this result. It was my first race in a GT Championship and it took a bit of time to get used to the car, one that I feel is very competitive for this series. I would like to thank the entire team and my team-mate, Giorgio”.
Giorgio Sernagiotto (Villorba Corse) – Race 1 winner: “It is always a pleasure being linked to the Maserati name. I am proud to have made a winning debut; it is a great start to the championship”.
Romain Monti – Race 2 winner: “I’d like to thank Maserati for giving me this opportunity. The car is really quick and competitive and I’m happy to have won again in a Maserati. I couldn’t defend my first position once the safety car had gone off as the other cars were faster in the straights. Then came the red flag that gave me the win”.
Race 1 result
1) PRO Anselmi/Sernagiotto, Villorba Corse, Maserati GranTurismo MC GT4, 25 laps in 53:44.362 minutes
2) PRO Van der Ende/Van Oranje, Racing Team Holland, Ekris M4 GT4, +6.034
3) PRO Knap / Severs, Racing Team Holland, Ekris M4 GT4, +7.543
5) (1 AM) Fogliani/Zamparini, Villorba Corse, Maserati GranTurismo MC GT4, +10.691
12) (3 AM) Piotr Chodzen/Antoni Chodzen, Villorba Corse, Maserati GranTurismo MC GT4, +1:00.780
Race 2 result
1) PRO R. Monti, Maserati GranTurismo MC GT4, 20 laps in 45:02.297
2) PRO D. Huisman/L. Braams, V8 Racing International, Chrevrolet Camaro GT4, + 0.196
3) PRO J. Beelen/M. Nooren, V8 Racing International, Chrevrolet Camaro GT4, + 0.533
10) (3 AM) Fogliani/Zamparini, Villorba Corse, Maserati GranTurismo MC GT4, + 5.432
