Not the greatest maiden race, but promising. Melo behind the helmet.
By Roberto Motta
Photos: Ferrari-Media
March 19-20, Sebring, Florida
The Sebring 12 Hours started the season of the American Le Mans Series and the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Making their international debut was the Houston’s Risi Competizione 458 Italia GT2 and the Tequila Patron 458 Italia GT2. The Risi 458 was closely observed by Ferrari managing director, Amedeo Felisa, in Florida to witness this special moment.
458GT2 is competitive but retired due to electrical problems.
During the qualifying laps, the old AF Corse F430 GTC captured the pole in the GT class proving that the old Ferrari is still extremely competitive. The F430 GTC was entrusted to ex-F1 pilot Giancarlo Fisichella with teammates Gianmaria Bruni and Pierre Kaffer. The F430 GTC, prepared by the team from Piacenza, made its fastest time of 2.01.561 on its third lap, only 182 thousandths faster than the Corvette Racing car of Oliver.
Fisichella and the F430GTC was penalized and finished 15th overall.
After a while in open practice the Risi Competizione 458 Italia GT2 wheeled by Jaime Melo made the fifth fastest lap in qualifying at 2.02.290. For the new Ferrari there is still a lot of testing and development to do before the 458 will dominate over the 430 GT.
The AF Corse F430 in the pits for a night stop.
During the race, the 458 GT2 showed plenty of potential but it will be important to quickly solve the teething problems and find more reliability for the car. At the end of the race, Antonello Coletta, head of the Ferrari Corse Clienti department says “I was positively surprised with how the 458 Italia GT2 went and the drivers were also very impressed with its performance. It is an encouraging sign for the future.” The new Ferrari was forced to retire around ninety minutes from the end of the race by an electrical problem.
Farnbacher, Sharp, Vanoberbeek teamed up for the Patron 458GT2 entry.
Ferrari’s honor was saved by the old F430.The 430 GTC entered by AF Corse was forced to make an additional visit to pit lane for a drive-through penalty that cancelled the advantage of starting from pole, and ended up fifteenth overall. However, the Ferrari F430 GTC entered by the Krohn Racing team won the GTE-AM class. American driver Tracy Krohn crossed the line with a significant advantage over the Proton Competition Porsche. This is the first win in the American Le Mans Series for the team and the first victory for the crew of Krohn-Jonsson-Rugolo.
Risi entry with Jamie Melo out on the track.
The next round of the American Le Mans Series takes place on 17 April at the Long Beach street circuit in California. You can also see the AF Corse team and all the other competitors in the Le Mans Series during the weekend of 3 April, at the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit.
Melo in the office.
Risi 458GT2 entry was driven by Melo, Salo and Vilander.
Risi ponders the rest of the season. Despite the problems, the 458GT2 is promising.
A fun way to spend money, but it means absolutely nothing–to me at least. “Competition adjustments” and such pernicious stuff means you get nothing as to how two different showroom models will perform for the amateur owner at a track day. Current rules are absolutely ridiculous.