FIA GT Championship

FIA GT round 2: Magny-Cours preview — Britisch GT’s join GT2 field

What a race that was! The 2005 season got off to a thrilling start in Monza, and now all eyes are turning to the French circuit of Magny-Cours to see how the next installment in this breathtaking drama will unfold in Monza, Larbre Competition’s Ferrari 550 Maranello, driven by Pedro Lamy of Portugal and Gabriele Gardel from Switzerland, claimed a narrow victory over the two Vitaphone Racing Team Maserati MC12 cars.

© Phil / MotorShots

A fascinating race around the fast circuit saw impressive challenges from the new Corvette C5R, which looked certain of a podium finish until an oil line broke, as well as a fine start from the Russian Age Racing Ferrari 550 Maranello. With the Saleen and Lamborghini cars likely to be more competitive on the challenging French circuit next week, an excellent battle is in prospect.

GT2 will be equally exciting. In Monza, the main competition was between the two Gruppe M Porsche 996 GT3 cars, with no quarter given between the battling teammates. In France, they will face their main rivals from 2004, as the GT2 cars from the British GT Championship join the fray. With Scuderia Ecosse and their two Ferrari 360 Modena cars, LNT with the competitive TVR T400R, and a number of Porsches including the Embassy Racing and Eurotech cars, a fascinating race is in prospect. The cars will be eligible for GT2 points, but will also score towards the British GT classification. Additional cars will also join the Balfe Motorsport Mosler in the G2 category.

What the drivers think…
“Magny-Cours is now my home circuit, as I live in the neighbouring countryside. The circuit is technical and very interesting from a driver’s point of view. Despite the recent changes, it is still one of the most interesting circuits of the year. The only problem about the track is the weather, as it often rains…” said Christophe Bouchut of Russian Age Racing.

Paolo Ruberti, Graham Nash Motorsport: “Although Magny-Cours is not one of my favorite circuits, I find the Nevers area very picturesque!”.

“Magny-Cours is a tricky circuit, where the experienced driver can make a big differ-ence. I really like the long right-hand corner before the Mistral straight. There are a number of fast chicanes where you can improve or lose time… ” says Gabriele Gardel of Larbre Competition.

Michael Bartels, Vitaphone Racing Team: “The track requires medium to high downforce, and in terms of grip and balance, it is more dependant on track temperature than on any other circuit. The car must be aerodynamically efficient and manoeuvrable; the only real overtaking opportunity is in the braking zone for the Adelaide hairpin.”

Entrylist
The provisional entrylist can be found here.

Tv programming Magny Cours
Eurosport International
Race LIVE 11:10 - 11:30 and 12:45 - 13:00
Chequered flag LIVE 14:15 - 15:00
GT teaser: 15:50 - 16:00 (between FIA WTCC)

Sunday May 1st
FIA GT Race Highlights 19:30 - 20:00

Eurosport 2
Sunday May 1st
FIA GT Race LIVE 11:30 - 12:45 & 13:00 - 14:15

Sportitalia
Sunday May 1st
15:40 - 16:05 and 17:00 - 17:30

Timetable - Magny Cours
Friday 29th April
10.30 - 12.00 FIA GT Free Practice 1
13.30 - 14.00 European Alfa Challenge ree Practice
14.30 - 16.00 FIA GT Free Practice 2
16.30 - 17.00 European Alfa Challenge Qualifying 1

Saturday 30th April
09.00 - 09.30 FIA WTCC Free Practice 1
09.45 - 10.30 FIA GT Free Practice
10.45 - 11.15 European Alfa Challenge Qualifying
12.30 - 13.00 FIA WTCC Free Practice 2
14.15 - 15.00 FIA GT Qualifying 1
15.05 FIA GT Press Conference
15.15 - 15.45 FIA WTCC Qualifying
16.20 European Alfa Challenge Race 1 (12 laps)

Sunday 1st May
09.00 - 09.15 FIA GT Warm-up
09.25 - 09.40 FIA WTCC Warm-up
10.10 European Alfa Challenge Race 2 (12 laps)
11.20 FIA GT Race 114 laps (500 km / 3 hrs)
15.45 FIA GT Press Conference
15.10 FIA WTCC Race 1 ( 12 laps)
16.15 FIA WTCC Race 2 (12 laps)