Bad weather conditions here at Silverstone in the UK where the qualifying practices for the TT Trophy -the first round of the FIA GT International Championship - are being held. The races were delayed by approximately 15' due to rain, which forced carmaker teams to an emergency pit stop for tyre replacement. After mounting intermediate tyres, Vitaphone Racing's two MC12s tried to repeat the brilliant performance of the morning's free practices (Bertolini 3rd and Negraõ 4th), but the tyres' failure to cool down in the few remaining laps left did not allow the two cars to perform at their full potential. 22-year-old Brazilian Alexander Negraõ's last lap was very good, getting eighth place with 1'56"647 and thus lowering his own personal best lap by over one second. «I have waited many laps to have more possible grip, had explained the Brasilian, in the final lap I had forced my MC12 machine, but I think to have again a little margin for the race of tomorrow. The five position in race for me are realistic target».


No such luck for Andrea Bertolini who, slowed down by the traffic, was unable to take advantage of the last turn and ranked 15th clocking in at 2'00"005. «This is the a very bad qualifying day for my, had explained the Italian driver. The wet asphalt and the red flag had changed totally our strategy. Tommorrow for me it is necessary a very strong depart and quickly remount ». Driven by Peter Kutemann (NED) and Ben Aucott (GBR), who are defending the Citation Cup trophy reserved to gentleman drivers won in 2007, the JMB Racing MC12 got the 12th row with and 24th place with a 2'06"683 time.

The warm-up is scheduled for tomorrow at 10, whilst the race will start at 13.15, broadcast live on ITV 4.