Reigning world champions will boost their chances of retaining the 2007 title by entering a massive six cars in this years FIA GT World Championship, the first race will be held in China at the Zuhai circuit which is the only purpose built track in China, and the season starts on the 25^th March.

The six cars will be divided between three teams, Vitaphone racing team is the team who will need to defend their the drivers crown and manufacturers title, but with two other teams competing with the same equipment the results will be down to team work, which will open up the possibilities of an exciting season.

The teams

Playteam Sara Free

The Playteam Sara Free team has been the ultimate team in the last two seasons of the GT championships in Italy, Spain and Europe. In the Italian GT Championship, the MC12, driven by Giannoccaro/Vilander, was awarded the drivers’ title thanks to twelve successes and two second positions in eight seasonal rounds. The team, has hired the official Maserati test driver, Andrea Bertolini, and uses Pirelli tyres and Shell lubricants.

Vitaphone Racing Team

After its debut in 2004 in the FIAT GT Series, the German team won its first two team titles thanks to the performance of the MC12 in 2005 and thanks to perfect organisation in the pit lane. After two consecutive triumphs in the 24 Hours of Spa (2005 and 2006), the Vitaphone Racing Team saw Andrea Bertolini and Michael Bartels as winners of the drivers’ title in 2006. This also contributed to Maserati’s success in the GT1 Constructors Cup in 2005.

JMB Racing Team

This team from the Principality of Monaco has been taking part in the FIA GT from 1997. In 2005, when JMB participated in the championship with the MC12, the team registered their first record in terms of points, 114, and that won them second place in the team classification and tt contributed to Maserati’s success in the GT1 Constructors Cup in 2005.

The Maserati MC12.

Chassis: Carbon fibre

Length: 4995 mm

Width: 2096 mm

Height: 1167 mmV Gauge

Front wheel rings: 12J/12.5J/13.J – 18″V Rear wheel rings: 13J/13.5J – 18″

Tyres: Pirelli Pzero

Front: 14″ X 18″ max

Rear: 14″ X 18″ max

Tank: Rubber

Capacity: 99 litres

Weight in movement: 1100 kg

Engine

Compression ratio: Not available

Suction: Limited, by cable, 12 throttles

Maximum power: Not available

Maximum torque: Not available

Injection: Marelli MR 5

Engine weight: 205 kg

Lubricants: Shell

Gearbox: Manual sequential 6 gears + reverse

Gearbox and differential weight: 70 kg

Differential: Self-blocking with clutches

Clutch

Type: Push – Carbon

Diameter: 140 mm (5,5 inch)

Weight: 5 kg

Brakes

Type: Brembo callipers

Messier Bugatti carbon disks

Diameter: 380/330

Thickness: 28 mm

Brake callipers: Brembo with 6 pistons

Brake pads: Various kinds

Suspension: Triangular arms superimposed with sprag

Steering box: Servo assisted

2007 Season Schedule

25/03/2007 Zhuhai

06/05/2007 Silverstone

20/05/2007 Bucharest

24/06/2007 Monza

08/07/2007 Oschersleben

29/07/2007 Spa-Francorchamps

08/09/2007 Adria

23/09/2007 Brno

30/09/2007 Nogaro

21/10/2007 Zolder