By Sam Tickell
The Maserati Trofeos are the drawcards to the series and the team management is the driving force behind the Pirelli GT
“We have the control tyre, which is the Pirelli which is the spec part of it, otherwise things are pretty much open.”
Is there anything better that one can say in motorsports?
These were the words uttered by Melissa Roberts, the Operations and Events Manager for the Pirelli Gran Turismo Series.
This new series in the Australian motorsport landscape is attempting to do what so much of Australia’s motorsport cannot do – make an open series appealing to both fans and competitors.
When we caught up with the series last weekend at Queensland Raceway, the series was conducting its third weekend and certainly in a building phase.
“We weren’t looking for big numbers at the start – we knew it would be small and we are still building,” said Ms Roberts.
Small yes – the series has yet to crack a ten car grid but the quality of the cars has been second to none.
At Queensland Raceway, there were two GT3 spec Maserati Trofeos, two Ferrari 430s, a Porsche 997 Cup Car and Dodge Viper GTS. When you can only have six cars, that is the six to have.
The fields are still small but there is hope for more in coming rounds
The management of this series are in talks with other car owners and have seen additional Porsche's and Lamborghini's at previous rounds. Luck was not on their side for round three as many potential competitors had other commitments for that weekend.
But they will continue and should gain popularity amongst fans and competitors alike as the series progresses.
The series has already caught the eye of former F1 pilot turned journalist – Ivan Capelli. The Italian who raced for Tyrell, Leyton House/March, Ferrari and Jordan thoughout his F1 career has tested the Maserati Trofeo with a view of driving the car in selected rounds of the series.
“He joined after the [Australian F1] GP, and test drove one of the Maseati's at Calder Park. We received great input from him, and it has been fantastic,” Ms Roberts said.
The test was valuable, not just because Capelli might boost the Championship’s profile but also it ironed out a few problems in the Maserati’s behaviour.
“Apart from very slow gear selection with the Ferrari inspired shift system, it behaved very well, it was predictable in the way it handled, although there are a couple of things that could improve,” said Capelli after the test at Calder Park.
The Italian was immediately on the pace of the regular drivers, setting fast lap times almost immediately. He will definitely be competitive when he races in future rounds.
Ultimately, the Pirelli Gran Turismo Championship will be bigger than one driver.
Spawned out of a need to fill a gap in the Australian motor racing scene, the series co-exists with the Australian Motor Racing Series, a national series that has races for many types of cars.
Currently, the series caters more for the amateur driver as the black hole of funds and development is still found at the V8 Supercars gate. But competitive, multi-model sportscar racing will always have a place in Australian motorsport and this series could be what takes that style of racing into the future.
This is all helped by at TV deal that is the envy of most sports.
The series has a dedicated 30 minute show after each race that airs on network television during a Sunday afternoon.
“We have a great TV package” confirmed Ms Roberts, “which is called the Pirelli Gran Turismo Championship Series.”
Its initial programs have aired, proving worthy of such a timeslot.
The series will grow – it has committed partners, a great TV package, top line cars and most importantly – open regulations.
John Tuelan was the to beat at Queensland Raceway
For the record:
John Teulan in his Ferrari 430 won the 1hour race at Queensland Raceway that made up round three of the Pirelli Grand Tursimo Series. He was about 25 seconds ahead of Roger Lago in a Porsche 997 with Rod Wilson in his Maserati coming in third.
Scott Lyddiard had a heartbreaking end to the race when his Dodge Viper came into the pits with five laps remaining with a smoking left front.