The Italian GT series returns (without any vengeance) this weekend for its second round, with a trip outside the border in the beautiful surroundings of the Austrian Alps at the Red Bull Ring.
Last time out, about one month ago, the 2013 version of the Porsche GT3 R dominated both races, with a win each for EbiMotors and Antonelli Motorsport; and guess what? The BoP strikes again! Basically, we understand that if you win both races you’ll be hit with some penalty, and this time the Weissach horses will carry 30 kgs more than the last time. The BMW Z4, meanwhile, will be 10 kilos lighter.
There are some new entries and some driver changes for this round in the main class, with the Lamborghini Gallardo of Mik Corse having Giacomo Piccini and Eugenio Amos taking the normal duties of Luca Rangoni and Andrea Mulacchiè – a switch for overall victory? – while Easy Race will have a 458 Italia for Fabio Mancini and Francesco La Mazza. Michela Cerruti will once again race solo in her BMW Z4. Right now, there is still no sign of the Mercedes SLS of GDL Racing or the McLaren of Baytech. There are no changes and no new entries in the Cup Class, which will have the same five cars as at the first round, for a total of 16 in both classes.
The very unpredictable weather could play a major role in the outcomes of the two Sunday races, and the time penalties will hit the Porsche runners hard, with 25 seconds for Passuti-Mapelli and 20 for Postiglione-Lucchini. New race winners? Probably.
Gabriele Tosi
