Silverstone Ready for the FIA GT Championship

07 May 2005

After two fantastic races, and two different winners in each class, the 2005 FIA GT season is off to a great start. And round three should add yet another dimension to the Championship, as the 500 km, three-hour race to be held at Silverstone on 14-15 May, will be the centenary edition of the RAC Tourist Trophy, a race with a long and prestigious history.

The FIA GT Championship has raced at Silverstone on six previous occasions, including the very first season in 1997. The last visit was in 2002, when Fabio Babini and Marc Duez were victorious in the Paul Belmondo Racing Chrysler Viper GTS-R. However, this time the Championship will run on the shorter International circuit, which is 3. 619 km long. This decision, made by the Silverstone promoters, will ensure an exciting show for the spectators.

Silverstone will also see the Aston Martin DBR9 make its FIA GT Championship debut. As a manufacturer entry, according to the Sporting Regulations of the Championship, the two GT1 cars will not be eligible for points, but the homologated cars will otherwise be fully-fledged competitors for the Tourist Trophy - the UK round of the FIA GT Championship.

To make this round even more special, a photocall and press conference will be held in London on May 10th, with a display of current and historic GT cars in The Mall, followed by a press conference at The Royal Automobile Club.

29 cars are due to take part in Sunday’s 500 km race. Vitaphone Racing Team will be defending their Championship lead in both GT1 Teams and Drivers classfications, while Gruppe M have a healthy lead in GT2. As well as the two Aston Martin DBR9 and the return of the No.3 GPC Ferrari of Melo and Belloc, Silverstone should also see two Ferrari 360 Modena cars in GT2, entered by Cirtek and GPC Sport, a Team LNT TVR T400R and Sebah Automotive’s Porsche 996. Three Mosler MT900R will compete in G2, including Balfe Motorsport, Cadena GTC and Eclipse Motorsport

SRO

See series calendars for 2005 FIA GT Championship

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