Maserati Trofeo race series launched for GCC

The Maserati Trofeo one-make racing championship was launched this week for the GCC region, at an event in Dubai. The series is backed by the Maserati factory in Modena, Italy and will feature up to 16 mechanically-identical Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeo race cars battling it out over 12 races across the Middle East.

This championship will be set in circuits around the region with races planned to take place at Formula One tracks in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain as well as Qatar’s Losail Circuit and the Dubai Autodrome in the UAE.

Drivers from across the Middle East are able to sign up for the ‘arrive-and-drive’ championship. The cars are supplied and maintained by Maserati to ensure identical performance across the grid. The Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeo has already proved its race capabilities in the region after two cars were entered into the 2010-2011 UAE GT Championship and secured three race victories out of a total of six podium finishes.

The Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeo is the racing version of the GranTurismo road car. The race car’s set up is tuned for the track use. It is powered by a 488 hp 4.7-litre V8 engine which drives the rear wheels through a paddle-shift gearbox able to change gears in just 60 milliseconds.

Packages on offer to drivers allow them to compete individually or in a pair for the season. All-inclusive costs range from Dhs 495,500 to Dhs 532,000 depending on the options chosen. The packages include the logistical management of the car, technical assistance at the circuit, a Maserati Trofeo race suit and VIP hospitality for driver and guests.

The formula for each race weekend will consist of two free practice sessions lasting 40 minutes, two qualifying sessions of 20 minutes and two races of 30 minutes duration.

The Maserati Trofeo JBF RAK Middle East is set to debut in November 2011, with races taking place throughout the winter months into early 2012.