The Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo European series got underway in Monza last weekend, with its largest ever grid of 22 cars, new teams and drivers, an all-new Gallardo race car and a fulfilled promise of exciting racing on the legendary Italian circuit.
RACE 1 2012 Champion Cédric Leimer kicked off the 2013 season where he had left off last year by winning a carefully managed and tactical race. But it was Adrian Zaugg who set the pace in the early running and brought the Bonaldi Motorsport #3 car to the pit window with a clear leading margin. His amateur team-mate Federico De Nora sustained the South African driver’s lead until lap 15 when the Safety Car was deployed following a heavy crash for Swede Oscar Ortfeldt following a puncture. At the re-start, just 6 minutes remained on the clock and De Nora fought valiantly to fend off a challenge from Cédric Leimer, but the Swiss driver’s commitment proved overwhelming and on lap 22, Leimer took the lead that he carried to the flag. The Bonaldi car claimed a highly creditable second pace and the Laurent Jenny, who had been consistently quick all weekend, added another Swiss and Autovitesse driver to the podium and in the process took maximum points for the Amateur class.
RACE 2 Andrea Amici had been forced into early retirement in race 1 due to a brake problem, but in an epic demonstration of speed and racecraft, the young Italian raced from 16th on the grid to victory and on one lap overtook no less than five of his rivals! Amici’s win was claimed on the outside of the last corner of the race as he overtook race 1 winner Cédric Leimer. The other race contender, Adrian Zaugg saw his leading challenge fade on lap ten as a puncture forced his retirement. After an impressive first race for the VIP #1 car that saw Italian TV celebrity Jimmy Ghione across the finish line in 8th place, race two was more of a torrid affair as the car suffered a brake problem necessitating additional pitstops and the occasional trip through the gravel. Lamborghini test driver Mario Fasanetto and Ghione were forced to retire on lap 17.
