Motor Sport Release

Maserati Trofeo World Series - Suzuka (J) - Presentation of Round 5

Maserati will appear at the Japanese circuit of Suzuka for the first time in its history, one that stretches back over a hundred years. The occasion will be Round 5 in the Maserati Trofeo World Series on the weekend of 24-25 October, one that ties in with the sixth round in the Super Taikyu series.

Ahead of the season's final weekend, at Abu Dhabi on 11 December, this upcoming penultimate round throws up a number of interesting talking points. First is the title fight where Romain Monti will have the chance to wrap things up against Riccardo Ragazzi. The Frenchman holds a 46 point lead over the Italian (at 121-75) but will be carrying the allotted extra 30kg after coming in second in Race 2 at Virginia (USA) last August. 

Things are still to be decided in the race for third with Lino Curti (54 points), Giuseppe Fascicolo (on 47 thanks to his victory last time out), Andreas Segler (34) and Adrien De Leener (33) all in with a shout, along with a few other drivers.

There is also a sense of anticipation at seeing the home driver, Shinji Nakano, out on track. With experience in Formula 1, he competed in the Indianapolis 500 in 2003 and the Le Mans 24 Hour in 2006. Nakano will be a guest in the No.33 Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeo and so will not be awarded any championship points.

Also appearing on the entry list is Alexander West, from Hong Kong. West was a product of this year's Maserati Racing Academy, at Vallelunga, one that also unearthed Alessandro Fogliani and Polish driver Piotr Chodzen (all three will be lining up at Suzuka).

In Europe, highlights of the Maserati weekend in Japan can be caught on Motors TV; in Italy they will be broadcast on Odeon 24 (channel 177) and on Rete Economy (Sky channel 512). Over in North America, www.torque.tv will show the action. Times and dates of the programmes will be published soon. Radio Monte Carlo will have live interviews with the drivers.

Round 5 – Programme 
(local time)

Friday 23 October 
Free practice 1: 09:30 – 10:30 
Free practice 2: 11:40 – 12:25 
Pre-qualifying: 13:35 – 14:15

Saturday 24 October 
Qualifying: 08:35 – 8:55 
SuperPole: 09:10 – 09:30 
Race 1: 12:45 – 13:27

Sunday 25 October 
Race 2: 09:30 – 10:12