The International GT Open will live an interesting première in Monza, as for the first time a car powered with alternative fuels will be on the grid. The Montecarlo BRC w 12, which made a static appearance in Monza in 2010, will make its race debut in the GTS category. The man behind the project is Fulvio Maria Ballabio (57), who in parallel to his career as a driver, which brought him in F.1, sportscar and Indycar, has worked as an engineer and constructor since 1983, when he founded Montecarlo Automobiles, which soon after produced its first supercar, the Centenaire, the first GT car entirely built in carbon.

The car that will compete in Monza, developed together with eco-friendly engine specialst BRC, fits an atmospheric w 12 engine of Audi origin, and is exclusively powered with LPG gas (liquified petroleum gas). “The car has started its racing career this year at the Monza 4 Hours, which he finished 8th overall”, explains Ballabio, “and we are delighted to join the GT Open, hopefully for the rest of the season and in 2013, where we will switch towards a hybrid version”. Ballabio will share driving duties with Monaco’s Frédéric Lajoux, also know as the organizer of Ever, the Eco-friendly Motorshow in Monaco.

Source : International GT Open