{"id":8645,"date":"2010-09-27T22:52:55","date_gmt":"2010-09-28T02:52:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/?p=8645"},"modified":"2010-09-27T22:55:06","modified_gmt":"2010-09-28T02:55:06","slug":"risi-competizione-aiming-to-bid-farewell-to-the-ferrari-430-in-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/alms\/risi-competizione-aiming-to-bid-farewell-to-the-ferrari-430-in-style\/","title":{"rendered":"Risi Competizione Aiming To Bid Farewell To The Ferrari 430 In Style"},"content":{"rendered":"

Houston, Texas, September 27, 2010.\u00a0 How does one honor the end of a racing era?\u00a0 For Houston-based Risi Competizione, there is only one way and that is to echo a familiar theme throughout the competitive life of the Ferrari F430 GTC \u2013 with a win in the GT2 class at the American Le Mans Series\u2019 season finale, Petit Le Mans Powered by Mazda2.\u00a0 The 1000 mile or 10 Hour (whichever comes first) race takes place on Saturday, October 2 at the Road Atlanta road course in Georgia.<\/p>\n

But there is more at stake for Team Principal Giuseppe Risi, his all-star cast of international drivers and the highly committed and professional group of staff that makes up the Risi Competizione team.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter the most intense and competitive season of GT racing that I\u2019ve ever witnessed, we go into the final race with an opportunity to win Championship titles,\u201d says Giuseppe Risi.\u00a0 \u201cThat three different manufacturers and teams are still in the running at this stage of the year is a testament not only to our own successes and the consistency and reliability of the F430, but also to the level of our competitors.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Team Principal continues, \u201cThis has been an incredible season of racing, with Ferraris, Porsches, BMWs and Corvettes all equally capable of achieving victory every time the flag falls.\u00a0 These major auto manufacturers, TV audiences and fans at home and abroad have witnessed some really exciting racing throughout the year and I\u2019m sure Petit Le Mans will be no exception.\u00a0\u00a0 With the F430 we have, since its introduction in 2006, achieved 19 ALMS victories, two Le Mans GT2 titles and four Championships.\u00a0 That\u2019s no mean feat for a small, privately-funded team \u2013 and to win this event for a third consecutive year would be a perfect way to sign it off into the history books.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

To bring this desire to reality, Risi Competizione has assembled the strongest line up of drivers possible and made a significant strategic change in the partnerships to balance speed, experience and set up preferences.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the #61 car, newly re-built after a heavy accident at Mosport at the end of August, Jaime Melo will bring his considerable experience and raw talent together with that of Mika Salo\u2019s canny racing know-how.\u00a0 Melo is now fully recovered from the illness which prevented him from racing at Mosport.\u00a0 The Brazilian-Finnish duo, of course, won the 2007 ALMS Drivers\u2019 championship together, taking eight victories from the 12 races in that season.\u00a0 They will be joined by Giancarlo Fisichella who, with 231 Grand Prix starts to his name, is one of the most experienced drivers within the Ferrari stable.\u00a0 This will be Fisichella\u2019s third start in the ALMS \u2013 a series which he has very much enjoyed to date.<\/p>\n

The line up for the #62 car will be the same as that which took the start of round 8 at Mosport, the pairing of Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Vilander \u2013 who finished a strong second in the GT class despite being forced to take the start from the back of the grid.\u00a0\u00a0 With Pierre Kaffer not being available due to a clashing round of the International GT Open series, and a championship title of his own at stake in that arena, Bruni and Vilander have elected to do the race between them.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Joining the Risi Competizione team at the 2.54 mile, 12-turn Road Atlanta track will be a over 50 Ferrari owners, bringing their own vehicles to a Corral to witness the F430\u2019s ALMS swansong, and guests from the team\u2019s major sponsor, Pennzoil Ultra TM.<\/p>\n

Pennzoil Ultra TM is a technical partner, not only with Risi but also with Ferrari, and is the official motor oil of Risi Competizione.\u00a0 It is not only on the hood of the car, but also under it.\u00a0 The Pennzoil Ultra TM 5W40 that is used in the two Ferrari F430 GTCs on the track is the same that can be bought right off the shelf for use in our own cars.\u00a0 Just as the first Ferraris which drove through the gates of the Maranello factory in 1947 were powered and protected by Shell products, so the F430 is today.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Every element of the team\u2019s preparation, both technically and otherwise, will need to be pinpoint-perfect in order to achieve success at Petit Le Mans.\u00a0 Not only is the event the final race in the ALMS calendar, but it is also the second round of the ACO\u2019s newly-launched Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and the entry list has been boosted considerably from last year.\u00a0 With Bruni and Melo\u2019s GT2 victory at the ILMC\u2019s opening round at Silverstone two weeks ago, Ferrari now leads the points tables in this category, a position it is anxious to consolidate.<\/p>\n

The field of 45 cars includes 12 prototypes and some fierce competition amongst the 17 entries in the expanded GT2 class.\u00a0 In last year\u2019s rain-shortened Petit Le Mans, Melo, Salo and Kaffer took victory in GT2 after an inspired early strategy call for wet Michelin tires saw them take the lead over their more cautious rivals.\u00a0 The race was suspended, and eventually flagged, after four hours and 49 minutes of running due to a flooded track.\u00a0<\/p>\n

About Risi Competizione<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Risi Competizione is a Houston-based Ferrari racing team lead by Managing Director Giuseppe Risi. Official team sponsors include Krohn Racing, Ferrari of Houston, Boardwalk Auto Group, Pennzoil Ultra, Motorola, AdShip, Ferrari Fort Lauderdale\/Long Island and Ferrari of Ontario.<\/p>\n

The next round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patr\u00f3n will be Petit Le Mans Powered By Mazda at Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia on Saturday, October 2.\u00a0 The 1,000 mile race (or 10 Hours, whichever comes first) race will start at 11:15 am EST and will be shown live on SPEED beginning with Pre-Race at 11:00 am EST.\u00a0 Coverage from 11:00 am – 9:30pm EST.\u00a0 Live radio coverage will be available on American Le Mans Radio presented by Porsche \u2013 a production of Radio Show Limited \u2013 as well as Sirius Channel 127 and XM Channel 242.<\/p>\n

RISI COMPETIZIONE DRIVER QUOTES AND DETAILS:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gianmaria Bruni, Risi Competizione Ferrari No. 62<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Nationality:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Italian<\/p>\n

Birthdate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 May 30, 1981<\/p>\n

Residence:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rome, Italy<\/p>\n

Notes:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 An open-wheel champion in Europe from the get-go, got to the top with Minardi in 2004 F1 World Championship.\u00a0 After two further seasons in GP2, switched allegiance to sportscars in 2007, runner up in FIA GT Championship.\u00a0 Winner of 24 Hrs Le Mans in 08 with Risi, and FIA GT(2) Champion with AF Corse.\u00a0 Beaten to 09 Le Mans Series title one point and runner up in FIA GT Championship.\u00a0 3 victories this year in ALMS (Sebring 12 Hours, Salt Lake, Mid Ohio), making debut at Road Atlanta.<\/p>\n

Gianmaria Bruni (on the size of the field at Petit Le Mans):\u00a0 \u201cI think it\u2019s going to be difficult during the race because of the big field of 45 cars, especially when it\u2019s getting dark.\u00a0 I\u2019ve never raced there but I\u2019ve done two days of Michelin testing two years ago and will have another two days the weekend before the race so I feel I know the layout of the track already and have shown this year that learning a new track is not a problem for me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

(On his Championship chances):\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a long race and obviously we are still fighting for the championship; there\u2019s a small chance still open for us and we all know that anything can happen at these longer races.\u00a0 It will be good to get back there \u2013 it\u2019s a fast and smooth circuit, a driver\u2019s circuit \u2013 so I\u2019m looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giancarlo Fisichella, Risi Competizione Ferrari No. 61<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Nationality:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Italian<\/p>\n

Birthdate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 January 14, 1973<\/p>\n

Residence:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rome, Italy<\/p>\n

Notes:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One of Formula One\u2019s most experienced drivers, with 231 Grand Prix starts to his name, and Ferrari\u2019s official F1 reserve driver.\u00a0 A former Italian F3 champion, did two years in International Touring Cars with Alfa Romeo before being snapped up by Minardi for the start of a 14-year F1 active career with teams such as Benetton, Jordan, Renault and Ferrari.\u00a0 Making debut at Road Atlanta.<\/p>\n

Giancarlo Fisichella (on competing at Petit Le Mans):\u00a0 \u201cRoad Atlanta will be another new race for me in the American Le Mans Series but I\u2019ve heard a lot about it from my team mates and I\u2019ve looked at the onboard footage.\u00a0 The track looks fast but quite difficult to pass in places, and it will be even harder with a lot of cars.\u00a0 Being at Silverstone recently for the 1000 Km race was good preparation from that point of view, with 45 entries there too and a similar mix of prototypes and GT cars.\u00a0 It will, of course, be challenging but I like that, just as I like racing in the ALMS.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jaime Melo, Risi Competizione Ferrari No. 61<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Nationality:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brazilian<\/p>\n

Birthdate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 April 24, 1980<\/p>\n

Residence:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rome, Italy<\/p>\n

Notes:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 An open-wheel champion in F3000; switched to sportscars in 2004 and has not stopped winning since.\u00a0 Official Ferrari GT development driver, together with Bruni.\u00a0 2006 FIA GT Champion with AF Corse.\u00a0 2007 ALMS GT2 Driver Champion and winner of 12 Hours Sebring with closest winning margin in race\u2019s history, 2008 24 Hours Le Mans and Petit Le Mans GT2 winner, 2nd 2009 ALMS Drivers Championship, 2009 Sebring 12 Hrs, 24 Hours Le Mans and Petit Le Mans GT2 winner.\u00a0 Winner with Bruni of 3 races this year (Sebring 12 Hours, Salt Lake and Mid Ohio).<\/p>\n

Jaime Melo (on Petit Le Mans as an event):\u00a0 \u201cPetit Le Mans is always really difficult because it\u2019s a very fast track and very busy.\u00a0 It\u2019s narrow, especially the first part of the track, and there\u2019s not much room for overtaking.\u00a0 There are a lot of cars and we need to be patient with the traffic and during the first part of the race.\u00a0 We have used a spotter in the past which helps some of the drivers.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

(On his approach to the final race of the F430 GTC):\u00a0 \u201cOur approach will be to try to score maximum points we can for the Team and Manufacturers\u2019 championships and for sure to try and protect the car to reach the end of the race without any trouble.\u00a0 We had a good car last year, although the weather was a bit strange, but thinking back to the year before we do well here so I am confident for 2010.\u00a0 Hopefully we can end the Ferrari 430\u2019s life in the ALMS in the best way possible.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mika Salo, Risi Competizione Ferrari No. 61<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Nationality:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Finnish<\/p>\n

Birthdate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 November 30, 1966<\/p>\n

Residence:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Monte Carlo, Monaco<\/p>\n

Notes:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Former F1 driver with 111 Grand Prix starts, including 6 races for Scuderia Ferrari, and one of the most accomplished road racers in the world. After illustrious career in formula cars, including Champ Car, started in sportscars in 2003. 2007 ALMS GT2 Driver Champion and winner of 12 Hours Sebring, 2008 24 Hours Le Mans and Petit Le Mans GT2 winner, 2009 Sebring 12 Hrs, 24 Hours Le Mans and Petit Le Mans GT2 winner.<\/p>\n

Mika Salo (on Petit Le Mans): \u201cIt\u2019s always a tough race because of the traffic and, like last year, anything can happen.\u00a0 We weren\u2019t the fastest but we managed to win the race on strategy.\u00a0 It\u2019s going to be hard for everyone as there\u2019s so much at stake in the championship; this year is very important for us.\u00a0 Of course it\u2019s also important for Ferrari which is why we have two strong cars and every chance to win the race.\u201d<\/p>\n

(On race strategy):\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t afford to relax for one second in this race and the amount of traffic will be important in how you get through the field, especially from Turn 1 to Turn 5 where it is difficult to pass.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toni Vilander, Risi Competizione Ferrari No. 62<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Nationality:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Finnish<\/p>\n

Birthdate:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 July 25, 1980<\/p>\n

Residence:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kankaanpaa, Finland<\/p>\n

Notes:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 GT cars have been where Vilander has come of age, improving year on year.\u00a0 Coming from single seaters into 2005 Italian GT championship, won GT2 class in rookie year and went on to win GT1 title in following year.\u00a0 Two FIA GT(2) championships have followed with AF Corse (07 with Muller, 08 with Bruni), and runner up in 09.\u00a0 Has blossomed as team leader with Fisichella and Alesi in 2010 Le Mans Series.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Toni Vilander (on Petit Le Mans):\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s good to continue on the ALMS program and I\u2019m looking forward to driving with Gimmi again.\u00a0 I\u2019ve seen some onboard footage from daytime and night and it seems very impressive \u2013 especially at night.\u00a0 There are a lot of curbs and high speed corners but it will be easier after you\u2019ve learned the circuit which we\u2019ll do at the test.\u00a0 Everyone tells me it\u2019s a very, very nice event, the same as the other ALMS events but bigger!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

(On the 45-strong field): \u201cIt doesn\u2019t make any difference to me about the size of the field.\u00a0 It\u2019s good for the series to have more cars and hopefully the track is safe and wide enough for this number [45].\u00a0\u00a0 I hope the GTC and slower LMPC cars don\u2019t give us any problems, in amongst and with the bigger number of faster prototypes, but that\u2019s part of the game and the same for everyone \u2013 not just us.\u00a0\u00a0 Like in the past, we\u2019ll concentrate on our performance and our work and try to optimize the time we have and if all goes to plan we\u2019ll be ready for the race!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
YEAR<\/strong><\/td>\nCAR<\/strong><\/td>\nDRIVERS<\/strong><\/td>\nQUAL<\/strong><\/td>\nRESULT<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2009<\/td>\nFerrari F430 GT (GT2)<\/td>\nKaffer\/Melo\/Salo<\/td>\n10th<\/sup><\/td>\n1st<\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008<\/td>\nFerrari F430 GT (GT2)<\/td>\nMelo\/SaloKrohn\/Jonsson\/van de Poele<\/td>\n1st <\/sup>(JM)6th <\/sup>(NJ)<\/td>\n1st4th<\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2007<\/td>\nFerrari F430 GT (GT2)<\/td>\nMelo\/Salo (Mowlem)Jonsson\/Krohn\/Turner<\/td>\n1st <\/sup>(JM)10th<\/sup> (TK)<\/td>\n6th <\/sup>(electrical problems)DNF (oil pump)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2006<\/td>\nFerrari F430 GT (GT2)<\/td>\nKelleners\/Ortelli\/PalttalaMediani\/Lazzaro\/Franchitti<\/td>\n1st <\/sup>(RK)3rd<\/sup><\/td>\nDNF (accident)2nd <\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2005<\/td>\nMaserati MC12 (GT1)<\/td>\nBertolini\/Babini\/de Simone<\/td>\n6th<\/sup><\/td>\n4th<\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2004<\/td>\nFerrari 360 Modena\u00a0 (GT)<\/td>\nLazzaro\/Kelleners\/de Simone<\/td>\n6th<\/sup><\/td>\n4th<\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2003<\/td>\nFerrari 360 Modena (GT)<\/td>\nLazzaro\/Kelleners<\/td>\nNot held<\/td>\n3rd<\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2002<\/td>\nFerrari 360 Modena GT<\/td>\nLazzaro\/Kelleners<\/td>\n4th<\/sup><\/td>\n3rd<\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2001<\/td>\nDNE<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2000<\/td>\nDNE<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1999<\/td>\nFerrari 333 SP (LMP)(Doyle-Risi)<\/td>\nCaffi\/Montermini\/TaylorAngelelli\/de Radigues\/<\/p>\n

Pompidou<\/td>\n

9th<\/sup>10th<\/sup><\/td>\nDNF (alternator)DNF (alternator)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1998<\/td>\nFerrari 333 SP (LMP1)(Doyle-Risi)<\/td>\nCollard\/Taylor\/van de Poele<\/td>\n4th<\/sup><\/td>\n1st<\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a9 RIF | Risi Competizione – Fiona Miller<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Houston, Texas, September 27, 2010.\u00a0 How does one honor the end of a racing era?\u00a0 For Houston-based Risi Competizione, there is only one way and that is to echo a familiar theme throughout the competitive life of the Ferrari F430 GTC \u2013 with a win in the GT2 class at the American Le Mans Series\u2019 …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[9,2120],"tags":[5264,5334,792,272,431,108,103,104,2239,109,5281,110,1750],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8645"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8645"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8645\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8649,"href":"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8645\/revisions\/8649"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8645"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8645"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}