The six AF Corse and GPC Sport-run Maserati GranSport Lights will occupy positions halfway up the starting grid for the two full races after the new breed of Trident GT3 racer took to the track in anger for the first time during the two qualifying sessions held at at a wet Silverstone circuit today. Thirty six of the new GT3 cars qualified for today and tomorrow's inaugural pair of races during the two qualifying sessions.

Pole position in session one went to German veteran racer Klaus Ludwig in a Corvette Z06 GT3 (1'54"404) ahead of the first Ferrari F430 Challenge, driven by the experienced Allan Simonsen (1'54"537.) Continuing the rich diversity on offer, third fastest was the Aston Martin DBRS9 of Marcello Zani (1'54"640,) ahead of the Dodge Viper of Anthony Reid (1'54"708,) the Porsche 997 Cup GT3 pedalled by Sean Edwards (1'54"712,) and the Ascari KZ1R of Aaron Scott (1'55"416.) Session two was topped by the Porsche of Morgan Traffort (1'54"359) ahead of two Dodge Vipers driven by Frederick Makowiecki (1'54"502) and Marco Cioci (1"54.631.)

The two qualifying sessions saw the six Trident racers consistently improve their individual performance as they kept in touch with the leading cars. Lorenzo Casè and Christian Passuti, in the team AF Corse Light, set the 21st fastest time (1'58"503). They bettered the time set by Roberto Sperati and Andrea Palma (1'58"506) and the two Trofeo drivers, Alberto Cerrai and Diego Alessi (25th in 1'58"725).
 

Free practice proved tough for the two GPC Sport-run GranSport Lights as the drivers tried to get the best out of their cars. Fabrizio Gini and Bruno Barbaro came home in 37th place (2'01"276), slightly ahead of their team mates Giuseppe Arlotti and Paolo Cutrera (2'01"574).

The aim of the new European FIA GT3 Championship is to bring together 'gran turismo cars' from the most prestigious automobile marques. The cars are slightly less well equipped compared to the road-going versions and they will appear on the most demanding and exciting circuits in Europe. The Maserati GranSport Light fully respects the spirit of these regulations. The Modenese vehicle will be up against much more powerful cars but each race is a test of the Trident gran turismos' reliability. Further, as Alberto Cerrai, Diego Alessi’s participation demonstrates (both in Trofeo Maserati 2006) and Andrea Palma (winner of Trofeo Maserati 2004 edition), the continental series offers the Trofeo Audemars Piguet Maserati Europa drivers a new sporting test and a natural step forward in their motorsport career.