Two Maserati MC12s will start from the second row tomorrow in the fourth round of the FIA GT Championship race at Imola.

The third quickest time overall was set by JMB Racing's Phillippe Peter during the morning session. The thirty-six year old, who holds dual Austrian and Swiss citizenship, selected the early part of the session to go for the fast lap.

With temperatures increasing in the afternoon, the result was that none of the drivers were able to improve on their times, while the number 16 car, crewed by Peter,  Buncombe and Rusinov, did not take to the track after experiencing a problem with the distributor. The team were forced to switch engines and were not able to complete the job before the start of the second qualifying session. Nonetheless, the drivers have high hopes for tomorrow. A good start will be fundamental in establishing an advantage over the pack and maintaining the lead after the pit stops.

The man from Sassuolo, Andrea Bertolini, and Karl Wendlinger in the other JMB Racing MC12, did not have the same opening as their scuderia team mates enjoyed during the morning as they ran into traffic on the track just as they were setting out for their fast lap. The two JMB Racing drivers still revealed that they were satisfied with the race set up. They tested different fuel loads after taking into account the ballast assigned for this race.

Splitting the two blue JMB Racing cars are two from the Vitaphone Racing Team. The first, with the fourth fastest time, is formed by the German pairing of Michael Bartels and Timo Scheider. Bartels, winner of the race here at Imola in 2004, is particularly at home on the Emilian circuit. Despite the 80kg of extra weight, the car is well balanced and competitive. Equally pleased are the Emilians Fabio Babini and Thomas Biagi who classified in seventh. The two drivers, also with 80kg of ballast on board, are sure that they will do well tomorrow and will be going on the attack. Pole position went to the Corvette driven by Hezemans-Longin-Kumpen. In second was the Lamy-Gardel 550. The pole car was not hindered by extra ballast and the car in second had 10kg on board.
 

The 2005 FIA GT Championship is currently headed by three Maserati crews: Bartels / Scheider, Babini / Biagi and Bertolini / Wendlinger, all of whom are locked together on 22 points. Making it a sweep for the Trident marque, Vitaphone team lead the team's championship, while Maserati are in number one spot in the Constructors’ Cup.

MASERATI TROFEO EUROPA AT IMOLA

Meanwhile the Maserati Trofeo Europa runners were at Imola today for qualifying ahead of tomorrow's race. Diego Alessi and Francesco Ravasio were the quickest at the end of the qualifying session. The Roman stopped the clock at 2:03.049, a time just 0.487 faster than overall leader Alberto Cerrai.

Qualifying was held in intense heat and fully tested the drivers and the cars. Despite the warm temperatures the times set were quicker than last season when the crew on pole, Ravasio/Alessi, clocked 2:05.319. The sessions were not without thrills. The first four cars are split by one a second and the first nine just one and a half seconds off pole position. Alberto Cerrai, with a lap in 2:03.536, took second but will have to contend with a 12 second penalty during his obligatory pit stop following his win in Barcelona. In third came a fine Rob Wilson in 2:03.993.

Agostino Alberghino and Manuel Villa pairing performed excellently to come fourth in a time of 2:03.998. They headed the Swiss crew of Hans Notter and Max Cattori, who took fifth on the grid in a time 1.137 down on pole.

The guest crews did well here: Jodie Kidd and Fabrizio De Simone, at the wheel of the Pirelli VIP car set the sixth quickest time. They edged out the Smurra brothers and Maurizio Fabris, awarded the Trofeo Buziol here. Daniele Massaro and Marco Cioci, on board the Sportitalia VIP car, claimed a in the fifth row, just ahead of Andrea DeMegni. Loris Reggiani and Alberto Sabbatini, in the Toora sponsored car, set the fifteenth fastest time.