GreenBkk.com Ferrari | The fight is on already between Gai and Blancardi in the new 458 Challenge

The fight is on already between Gai and Blancardi in the new 458 Challenge

Valencia, 7 April –The Ricardo Tormo Circuit at Valencia today saw the start of the second round of the European Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli. Twenty three cars tackled the qualifying session to decide the grid for the race which takes place tomorrow. Pole position in Race 1 went to Stefano Gai (Rossocorsa) while the second qualifying session had to be cancelled because of a violent storm that hit the Valencia circuit in the afternoon. The starting grid for Race 2 will be based on the best times set in Race 1. The drivers continue to be very enthusiastic about the surprising performance of the 458 Challenge, proving it has lived up to expectations in terms of being a very competitive package. As part of the special programme being run here, many Ferrari owners were able to test themselves on track at the wheel of their own cars, in the “Emozioni in pista” programme.

The fight for pole position in the first qualifying session of the Trofeo Pirelli saw the winner of the Italian Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli in 2010 and the Italian classification leader, Stefano Gai (1.38.675), who takes the coveted position today in Valencia. Gai in the Rossocorsa 458 Challenge was ahead of Max Blancardi, Motor Malucelli (1.38.879) and Alexey Vasiliev, Ferrari Moscow, (1.38.921) and tomorrow he will leave the line from the number one slot. Of the gentleman drivers entered in the Coppa Shell, the best time in the first session was set by Philippe Prette, Motor Malucelli, (1.40.088) ahead of Johnny Laursen, Formula Automobile, (1.40.219) and Fons Scheltema, Kessel Racing, (1.40.240). Of those tackling at the wheel of the F430 Challenge, the fight for pole position in the first session ended in favour of Gerald Grohmann, Warm Up (1.46.568) followed by Vladmir Kirilyuk, Ferrari Moscow (1.48.128) and by Howard Blank, Motor Piacenza, (1.48.288).

Tomorrow’s programme features two races, at 9.30 and 14.30, with three categories taking part in races with separate classifications.

Credit: Ferrari S.p.A. (www.ferrari.com)