An FIA GT1-class JMB Racing Maserati MC 12 and a Larbre Competitione Ferrari 550 Maranello, joined a number of the other FA GT Championship cars in Central London yesterday.

To the backdrop of Buckingham Palace, the two Italian sportscar contenders, which have already won a race each in this year's FIA GT Championship, were joined by the Aston Martin DBR9, which is making its series debut in Sunday's race.

After the Prodrive-built car's dream racing debut when it won the GTS class at the Sebring 12 Hours earlier this year, all eye's will be on the Aston's performance this weekend. Completing the line-up in the Mall of car which will be competing in the centenary edition of the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy at the Northamptonshre circuit, was a GT1 Lister Storm, and a GT2 Porsche 996 GT3-RSR, presented by Team GruppeM.

This gathering was followed by a press conference in the impressive surroundings of the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall. Speaking to the media were a number of drivers and team personnel.

JMB Racing pilot Chris Buncombe, was asked: You have done two races now in the Maserati – what do you think of the car?

"I am very impressed with it," replied Buncombe. "The team have obviously come away from Magny-Cours on a high after my team-mates Karl Wendlinger and Andrea Bertolini were victorious. Obviously we hope to continue that success in Silverstone.  Personally, as a British driver, this is my home race. A little like David said, my father finished second on two occasions in the Tourist Trophy, and I would definitely like to go one better." Asked what Silverstone means to him personally, Buncombe replied, "It’s the biggest race of the year for me, so it’s very important.
 

"From a personal point of view I am still lacking a lot of time in the car, so it’s a shame this round is so early in the season.  But nonetheless I am sure we’ll have a great race."

"Larbre is delighted to be back at Silverstone, a circuit at which they have had a lot of success in the past, most recently last year when we won a race in another series!" commented Care Racing spokeswoman Fiona Miller. "With Ferrari having had such a great run of victories in the Tourist Trophy in the early 60s we hope we can recapture some of that glory again this weekend. Fabrizio Gollin, the reigning FIA GT Champion, will of course be with us again this weekend driving the Ferrari 550, a car in which he has had a great many wins. We know the competition will be very strong, with Aston Martin and Maserati in particular, but we are sure we can take the fight to them."

This weekend's round three should add yet another dimension to the FIA GT Championship, as the 500km, three-hour race will be the centenary edition of the RAC Tourist Trophy, a race with a long and prestigious history.

However, this time the Championship will run on the shorter International circuit, which is 3. 619km long. This decision, made by the Silverstone promoters, will ensure an exciting show for the spectators.