Three new Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo champions were crowned as the 2010 season concluded at Vallelunga, Italy, on 24-26 September 2010.
Italian Mirko Venturi claimed the 2010 Pro Drivers’ title after securing 156 points, 30 more than his closest rival, 2009 Pro Drivers’ Champion Fabio Babini. Twenty-five year old Touringauto pilot Eugenio Amos secured the 2010 Pro-Am Drivers’ title following a stream of strong drives, despite pressure from second-placed Tommaso Maino and third-place finisher Ferruccio Bellini.
A win in the final round of the season ensured that Black Bull Swiss Racing was awarded the 2010 Super Trofeo Teams’ title. The Swiss outfit overtook Touringauto following round 16, and two strong finishes helped it to pull out a gap of 17 points to claim the title.
In the 2010 season 51 different drivers of 11 nationalities competed during the six pan-European race weekends. Five different teams claimed pole positions, with the closest race finish of the season taking place at
Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, where Venturi and Babini crossed the line just 0.526 seconds apart. With the title fights coming down to the wire, the competitiveness of the series is evident.
The final race weekend of 2010 was celebrated by the launch of a very special super sports car: the new Gallardo LP 570-4 Blancpain Edition. Honouring the success of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo series, the Gallardo LP 570-4 Blancpain Edition is equipped with the 570 hp V10 Superleggera engine used in the Super Trofeo race car and is one-hundred per cent road legal.
Qualifying
MIK Corse’s Fabio Babini secured pole position for round 16 after setting a fastest lap time of 1:37.250 during the 30-minute qualifying session, putting team-mate Gian Luigi Piccioli on the front row in the #22. Mirko Venturi positioned the #46 Black Bull Swiss Racing entry alongside after lapping the Italian track in 1:37.361.
Blancpain Reiter Engineering driver Peter Kox set a fastest lap of 1:38.596 to put the #24 Super Trofeo third on the grid, while Nicolas Navarro set the fourth fastest lap time in the #63 Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse entry.
“To take the pole here in Rome is a great feeling,” said Babini. “I know Vallelunga very well. I am a little surprised because we had some difficulties yesterday but the car is very quick now. I had a great lap with no errors and no traffic, which is when I recorded the fastest lap.
“For me the most important result this weekend is that my previous co-driver Giorgio [Bartocci] is here. He is in our pit watching the races. I claimed pole position for him: this is the biggest victory.”
Round 16
Pole-sitter Piccioli took the lead, but soon received pressure from Kox’s team-mate Marc A. Hayek in the #24, who managed to get around him for the lead on the second lap. From fifth on the grid Automobili Lamborghini VIP driver Johnny Cecotto Sr. charged through the field to climb up to second place by the fourth lap, and inherited the lead when Hayek spun on lap 7. Behind, Cedric Leimer was running in second place at the wheel of the #63, with Maino in the #46 entry behind.
During the pit window Automobili Lamborghini VIP driver Jochen Uebler spun in the #2 Super Trofeo race car, bringing out the safety car. With just two laps remaining the safety car pulled in, allowing leader Cecotto Jr. to take the win. Maino’s team-mate Venturi finished second in the #46, with Hervé Leimer in the #19 Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse third.
“I am really happy with the victory,” said Cecotto Jr. “I told my Dad before the race to hand me the car in first place and that is exactly what he did! It’s great to be racing together with him. We have been trying to do this for a long time but it never really worked out: it’s great that it finally did!”
Johnny Cecotto Sr. leads the field across the start line
Round 17
The 2010 Pro Drivers’ title was decided in round 17: Mirko Venturi claimed the eight points he needed to put him ahead of the competition and take the honours.
From pole, Cecotto Sr. charged into the lead in the #1 Automobili Lamborghini car, pulling away from Maino in the #46. However, Cecotto Sr. was soon under pressure as Babini made his way through he field in the #22, charging from 11th on the grid. The Italian was soon on the tail of the Venezuelan, and passed to take the lead on lap 6.
With the pit window open at the 15th minute of the race, Babini remained on track to extend his lead to over a minute before handing the #22 over to team-mate Piccioli. The #22 returned to the circuit ahead of the #1, but Cecotto’s son and team-mate Cecotto Jr. had a win firmly in his sights. The 21-year-old driver charged after the #22 and passed to claim the race win.
Behind, a battle for the remaining spots on the podium ensued. Piccioli in the #22, Navarro in the #63 and Kox in the #24 all fought for position, with Piccioli coming out on top. The trio crossed the line in that order, just 0.622 seconds apart.
“It was a perfect race. A bit wet and slippery in the beginning but it was getting better with every lap,” said Cecotto Sr. “The car is easy to drive in all conditions. We had a big gap after the pit-stop but could catch up and take the win.”
2010 Pro Drivers’ Champion Venturi said: “I am very excited for my title win. It was a team effort: they worked day and night for this and deserve it, so many thanks to them.”
Round 18
Yet again on pole, Cecotto Sr. had a strong start, but hot on his heels were Babini, Kox and Charouz-Gravity Racing pilot Jarek Janiš. Just over a second separated the top four as they jostled for position. On lap 7 Cecotto Sr. pulled away, leaving the remaining three to decide the order amongst themselves. Kox managed to pass for second place, but this was short lived, as Babini was back ahead soon after and reeling in the leader.
Babini caught Cecotto Sr. and made a move to pass: however, the Italian made contact with the #1, causing Cecotto Sr. to spin. Babini took the lead but was issued with a drive-through penalty for contact with the #1 Automobili Lamborghini entry.
Having served his penalty, Babini handed the wheel to team-mate Gian Luigi Piccioli on the following lap but the #22 had slipped to sixth in the order. Venturi took the lead in the #46, while the #63 with Navarro at the wheel, was running second. Navarro began to close the gap between him and the leader, but was unable to get close enough to pass before the chequered flag. Venturi claimed the final win of the 2010 season, with Navarro second and Amos third.
Consistent performances from Amos resulted in him being crowned 2010
Pro-Am Drivers’ Champion, while Black Bull Swiss Racing’s final win of the weekend put it at the top of the 2010 Teams’ standings.
“I am happy for myself and the whole Black Bull Swiss Racing team for winning the Pro Drivers’ and the Teams’ titles,” said Venturi. “A special thanks goes to Mr Casartelli and Mr Lovat. We fought hard with Fabio for the title and in the end I won!”
“In Italian we call this feeling ‘liberazione’: it means that I feel free and relieved that I have won the championship,” said Amos. “This morning I was really nervous, as there was a lot of pressure on me. Thinking about the points and the standings made it difficult to perform. Now I can relax and it is a really great feeling.”
“Today’s racing has been everything the series stands for: incredibly close but fair,” said Manfred Fitzgerald, Automobili Lamborghini’s Director of Brand and Design. “For the second season, the champions have not been crowned until the final race weekend, yet again reinstating the fact that we have a great platform.
“Right now we’re working on plans for 2011, which due to the success of the current format, will again be 18 races over six weekends. Discussions are still ongoing with partnering series, but we’re looking forward to more tough battles and exciting action next season.”
Radio Monte Carlo (RMC1), one of Italy’s most popular radio stations, provided updates from the series throughout the Vallelunga race weekend, with coverage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday on RMC1 and via its website www.radiomontecarlo.net/home.
Qualifying results
1. Babini/Piccioli (#22), MIK Corse, 1:37.250
2. Venturi/Maino (#46), Black Bull Swiss Racing, + 0.111
3. Hayek/Kox (#24), Blancpain Reiter Engineering, + 1.346
4. Leimer C./Navarro (#63), Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse, + 1.410
5. Cecotto/Cecotto Jr. (#1), Automobili Lamborghini, + 1.521
6. Janiš/Stovicek (#88), Charouz-Gravity Racing, + 1.546
7. Bellini (#3), Bonaldi Motorsport, + 1.588
8. Amos (#69), Touringauto, + 1.804
9. Tenchini/Uebler (#2), Automobili Lamborghini, + 3.309
10. Leimer H./Jenny (#19), Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse, + 4.291
11. Charouz/Urban (#77), Charouz-Gravity Racing, + 4.441
12. Invernizzi (#23), Black Bull Swiss Racing, + 5.250
13. Pronk (#76), Blancpain Reiter Engineering, + 10.078
Round 16 results
1. Cecotto/Cecotto Jr. (#1), Automobili Lamborghini, 40:51.221
2. Venturi/Maino (#46), Black Bull Swiss Racing, + 1.313
3. Leimer H./Jenny (#19), Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse, + 2.990
4. Leimer C./Navarro (#63), Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse, + 3.084
5. Janiš/Stovicek (#88), Charouz-Gravity Racing, + 3.591
6. Hayek/Kox (#24), Blancpain Reiter Engineering, + 4.022
7. Charouz/Urban (#77), Charouz-Gravity Racing, + 8.855
8. Invernizzi (#23), Black Bull Swiss Racing, + 27.911
9. Amos (#69), Touringauto, + 1 lap
10. Pronk (#76), Blancpain Reiter Engineering, + 1 lap
11. Babini/Piccioli (#22), MIK Corse, + 2 laps
Not classified
12. Tenchini/Uebler (#2), Automobili Lamborghini, + 11 laps
13. Bellini (#3), Bonaldi Motorsport, + 17 laps
Round 17 results
1. Cecotto/Cecotto Jr. (#1), Automobili Lamborghini, 40:50.571
2. Babini/Piccioli (#22), MIK Corse, + 3.355
3. Leimer C./Navarro (#63), Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse, + 3.475
4. Hayek/Kox (#24), Blancpain Reiter Engineering, + 3.957
5. Venturi/Maino (#46), Black Bull Swiss Racing, + 6.029
6. Janiš/Stovicek (#88), Charouz-Gravity Racing, + 1:06.195
7. Bellini (#3), Bonaldi Motorsport, + 1:06.388
8. Amos (#69), Touringauto, + 1:09.924
9. Invernizzi (#23), Black Bull Swiss Racing, + 1 lap
10. Leimer H./Jenny (#19), Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse, + 1 lap
11. Pronk (#76), Blancpain Reiter Engineering, + 2 laps
Not classified
13. Charouz/Urban (#77), Charouz-Gravity Racing, + 20 laps
Round 18 results
1. Venturi/Maino (#46), Black Bull Swiss Racing, 41:16.127
2. Leimer C./Navarro (#63), Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse, + 2.936
3. Amos (#69), Touringauto, + 38.173
4. Bellini (#3), Bonaldi Motorsport, + 43.170
5. Cecotto/Cecotto Jr. (#1), Automobili Lamborghini, + 54.099
6. Babini/Piccioli (#22), MIK Corse, + 1:07.844
7. Invernizzi (#23), Black Bull Swiss Racing, + 1:24.759
8. Janiš/Stovicek (#88), Charouz-Gravity Racing, + 1:26.732
9. Hayek/Kox (#24), Blancpain Reiter Engineering, + 1 lap
10. Leimer H./Jenny (#19), Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse, + 1 lap
11. Pronk (#76), Blancpain Reiter Engineering, + 1 lap
Not classified
Charouz/Urban (#77), Charouz-Gravity Racing
2010 Pro Drivers’ Standings
1. Mirko Venturi (ITA), Black Bull Swiss Racing, 156 pts
2. Fabio Babini (ITA), MIK Corse, 126 pts
3. Peter Kox (NED), Blancpain Reiter Engineering, 107 pts
4. Nicolas Navarro (FRA), Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse, 85 pts
5. Jarek Janiš (CZE), Charouz-Gravity Racing, 30 pts
6. Erik Janiš (CZE), Charouz-Gravity Racing, 9 pts
7. Adam Lacko (CZE), Charouz-Gravity Racing, 8 pts
2010 Pro-Am Drivers’ Standings
1. Eugenio Amos (ITA), Touringauto, 138 pts
2. Tommaso Maino (ITA), Black Bull Swiss Racing, 136 pts
3. Ferruccio Bellini (ITA), Bonaldi Motorsport, 116 pts
4. Marc A. Hayek (SUI), Blancpain Reiter Engineering, 107 pts
5. Cedric Leimer (SUI), Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse, 99 pts
6. Jan Stovicek (CZE), Charouz-Gravity Racing, 60 pts
7. Hervé Leimer (SUI), Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse, 59 pts
8. Albert von Thurn und Taxis (DEU), MIK Corse, 45 pts
9. Andrea Invernizzi (ITA), Black Bull Swiss Racing, 43 pts
10. Petr Charouz (CZE), Charouz-Gravity Racing, 39 pts
11. Gian Luigi Piccioli (ITA), MIK Corse, 38 pts
12. Luigi Moccia (ITA), MIK Corse, 35 pts
13. Nico Pronk (NED), Blancpain Reiter Engineering , 30 pts
14. Laurent Jenny (SUI), Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse, 29 pts
15. Jan Urban (CZE), Charouz-Gravity Racing, 23 pts
16. Giorgio Bartocci (ITA), MIK Corse, 16 pts
17. Dominique Lucas (SUI), Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse, 14 pts
19. Claudio Rossetto (ITA), MIK Corse, 10 pts
20. Giovanni Berton (ITA), MIK Corse, 10 pts
21. Milan Urban (CZE), Charouz-Gravity Racing, 4 pts
2010 Teams’ Standings
1. Black Bull Swiss Racing, 155 pts
2. Touringauto, 138 pts
3. MIK Corse, 129 pts
4. Blancpain Reiter Engineering, 119 pts
5. Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse, 119 pts
6. Bonaldi Motorsport, 116 pts
7. Charouz-Gravity Racing, 75 pts
