Last week, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest stated that “the cars eligible for the new GT1 world championship will be accepted to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Le Mans series.”  Although this left no doubt that the new GT1-2010 will be able to take part, the question arose concerning the current GT1 cars, who will be eligible in the new world championship through a kit.  Remember that Aston Martin Racing has confirmed the interest that several of their clients have shows and therefore the possibility of preparing a “modifications package for the DBR9.”   The Corvettes should also receive a package using this philosophy. 

According to the ACO, the Aston Martin DBR9 and Corvette C6.R “downgrade” packages will be accepted at the Sarthe circuit.  This leaves the Maserati MC12. Questioned on the subject, general director of the ACO, Remy Brouard said “if the Maserati conforms to the rules of the GT1 world championship, it will be eligible at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  It’s indeed the case for all the cars accepted in this championship, the GT1-2010s or present GT1s that receive the necessary modifications from the FIA (i.e. downgrade package.)”

So, could 2010 be the year the Maserati MC12 finally makes its appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and/or one of the Le Mans series? Having already wrapped up the FIA-GT1 teams championship, Vitaphone Racing would receive an invitation to the June classic.  Will the team led by Michael Bartels accept?  We will find out in the coming weeks.  But a Maserati on the Sarthe circuit, running against Nissan, Ford, Lamborghini, Corvette and Aston Martin (or even Saleen), we are looking forward to it!

Rainier Ehrhardt