Trofeo Maserati GranTurismo MC 2011 - Monza (I) - Qualifications

Stefano Gai: two pole positions on his home circuit

Stefano Gai secured pole position for tomorrow’s two races at Monza after qualifying at round two of the Trofeo Maserati GranTurismo MC series. Behind the Lombardy driver came Manuel Villa, who clocked the second best time in both sessions.

David Baldi came third in qualifying for Race 1 and was just pipped for the same spot by Gaetano Ardagna at the very end of session two.

The Venezuelan posted his best time on the very last lap, outdoing the overall Trofeo leader. Ardagna had not had an easy time of it after a hitch with his car forced him into the back up.

In the Team standings, the morning’s best time went to the AF Corse pairing of Sbirrazzuoli/Chionna who topped the timesheet (fourth overall) with the Monaco-based driver at the wheel. Quickest in session two was Lorenzo Casè from Swiss Team (seventh overall).

Jimmy Ghione, the “Striscia la Notizia” italian reporter appearing as a guest in this round of the Trofeo Maserati GranTurismo MC, finished twelfth in the morning and fourteenth later on.

Stefano Gai: “It was obligatory to do well on this track: I had to make up for the disappointment of the first round at Imola. I have shown that I am pacy if the car is working well. I am really pleased with my times considering the advantage over the others. Also, the two poles give me two points to close up the gap on championship leader David Baldi”.

Cedric Sbirrazzuoli (Team): “Qualifying went quite well. I had a little problem that meant I couldn’t really push 100%. The important thing was to have taken the point on offer for the category pole position, a time that was good enough for fourth overall. If I get off to a good start tomorrow and stick to the right bunch of drivers, I think I could do well. In Race 2, my team-mate Alessandro Chionna will be taking on Lorenzo Casè, the fastest of the Team entrants”.

Race 1 is programmed for 9.50-10.30 tomorrow (Sunday 15 May) and Race 2 for 16.10-17.00. Both races will be shown live on Nuvolari TV and RMC will transmit interviews with the drivers at 15.25.

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