28/05/2006 - Vallelunga

The Maserati MC12s fielded by Playteam Sara Free came away from Vallelunga with maximum spoils. Giannoccaro and Vilander consolidated their lead in the Italian GT with a double victory. The Racing Box Maserati MC12 took second place with Cappellari and Perazzini, making his return. The car was eliminated from race 2 after a clash with a back marker.


Race-1

Cappellari was not caught unawares by Giannoccaro at the rolling start. Giannoccaro, in turn, had to be wary of Lancieri’s Saleen. Cappellari tried to pull away from his pursuers and duly set the best lap time of 1’33”734, one that would not be topped during the race. The advantage held by the Racing Box Maserati grew progressively and three seconds separated the two MC12s by lap eight. The overtaking of the back markers began on that very lap but none of the leading trio overtook. The minutes ticked by and the situation was unaltered. Cappellari held a 4”5 second lead over Giannoccaro who, despite the attentions of Lancieri, did not commit any errors. On lap 15 (24’ into the race), Giannoccaro came into the pits to be replaced by Tony Vilander; Cappellari was still in the driving seat and still hounded by Lancieri. The two came in together on lap 19; it was the race’s decisive moment. The pit stop allowed Montermini’s Saleen to overtake Perazzini (Cappellari’s replacement). An MC12 was still the lead car once the pit stops had been concluded. Vilander was the man up front after a fine series of fast laps. Perazzini hassled Montermini in trying to claim back second spot, allowing Vilander to build a 10” gap. On lap 24, Perazzini attacked and overtook Montermini at Cimini. Thus, two Maseratis filled the top places. The closing stages did not hold any further surprises and Vilander and Perazzini paraded across the finish line in first and second, respectively.

Race-2

Polemen Vilander and Perazzini both started brightly but, after just a few curves, Vilander had established a lead. Perazzini was overhauled by Montermini in the Saleen, who then set off after the leader. The two up front were lapping at 1’33”3-1’33”4. Vilander, though, edged away from Montermini who himself had to look over his shoulder at Perazzini. The rhythm was kept high and the chronos were lower than those of race 1. On lap eight, Montermini developed a problem and the Racing Box Maserati MC12 inherited second spot, 5” off Vilander. The two MC12s enjoyed a healthy lead over the pack with the driver in third some thirty seconds down and the gap growing ever larger. With the headlights on, Vilander began to reel in the back markers as he sought to complete his stint by attempting to hand over to his partner the biggest lead possible. His top time of 1’33”159 was not bettered on the day but Perazzini would not give in and resolutely hung on. The Playteam Sara Free MC12 pulled in on lap 21 and Giannoccaro took over in the driving seat from Vilander. On the following lap, Cappellari replaced Perazzini but, just as he came out of the pit lane, he clipped Pasini’s Ferrari 430 GT2 at Curvone, spun and crashed into the left hand barriers. Retirement was inevitable. Giannoccaro held a lead of over a minute from Chiesa’s Ferrari with a quarter of an hour to go. The MC12 driver’s only concern was to stay out of trouble. This he did and the Maserati crossed the line in triumph to cap a wonderful day for Playteam Sara Free. Giannoccaro and Vilander have strengthened their lead with four wins from six races, giving them a tally of 95 points.

D.T.