Following an exciting opening round at Monza, Italy, the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo series will return to the UK for rounds four, five and six at the newly-revised Silverstone Circuit on 3-5 June 2011.
The Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo race weekend will be the first to make use of the track’s innovative new pit and paddock complex, ‘The Silverstone Wing’. The FIA GT1 World Championship will also be in action at the Grand Prix Circuit.
Several competitors will make their series debut in the UK. American Le Mans Series driver and 2008 runner-up in the prestigious Sebring 12 Hours, Marino Franchitti, will compete in an Automobili Lamborghini VIP car as a guest of the series alongside Autosport journalist Ben Anderson. Also looking to push his V10 ‘Iniezione Diretta Stratificata’ engine to the limit will be EVO Magazine Middle East Editor-in-Chief Bassam Kronfli.
As in Monza, Bonaldi Motorsport will field two series debutants: former FIA GT Championship front-runner Lee Cunningham will pilot the #3 entry alongside Italian Pro-Am newcomer Maurizio Piatesi.
Thanks to a double podium visit during the opening weekend, 2009 Pro Drivers’ Champion Fabio Babini leads the way in the Pro Drivers’ Standings on 27 points, with former 24 Hours of Le Mans class-winner Peter Kox just eight points behind. In 2009, both series regulars scored one victory apiece at Silverstone, and remain potential race winners following strong season campaigns last year.
Changes are expected in the Pro-Am Drivers’ Standings this weekend. Reigning Pro-Am Champion Eugenio Amos currently leads after two
hard-fought races in Monza: however, the Italian pilot will miss the Silverstone rounds, providing the perfect opportunity for Babini’s team-mate Matteo Zucchi to eliminate Amos’ 11-point advantage. Meanwhile, fresh from his first solo victory in Monza, Cédric Leimer lies just one point further back and will be keen to repeat his success and challenge for the top spot.
In the Teams’ Standings, just 11 points cover the top three outfits. Touringauto leads the way on 38 points with Autocarozzeria Imperiale S.R.L. just two points adrift. Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Suisse follows the pair closely in third.
Each entry will compete with the Super Trofeo race car, a lightweight version of the road-going Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 that achieves a top speed of 325km/h thanks to its 570hp ‘Iniezione Diretta Stratificata’ engine, robotized e.gear six-speed gearbox and four-wheel drive system.
The Super Trofeo race cars will run on bespoke Pirelli tyres, which have been upgraded with a new tread compound for the 2011 season.
“We are obviously very excited to be racing at the new Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit,” said Maurizio Reggiani, Automobili Lamborghini Director of Research and Development, and responsible for motorsport. “We have already seen a very competitive start to the season, with cars racing wheel-to-wheel. Race fans are in for a treat at Silverstone.”
Source: Lamborghini Super Trofeo
