OPEN MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP - 2° ROUND

RISITANO HOLDS SWAY IN THE 100 ICA

SARNO (Salerno), May 1st, 2005 – In the second race of the Open Masters, run on the Naples International Circuit of Sarno, the Birel colours kept performing very well attaining the provisional leadership in three out of four categories of the championship. Nicholas Risitano draw particular attention to himself actually dominating the 100 Ica on Campania’s race-course. Excellent performances by Costa (1st in the Junior class) and Laudato (2nd in the 125 Icc) as well. The only partial disappointment for Birel drivers in relation to results was due to Formula A. However, as far as their absolute performances are concerned, both Cesetti and Lancaster displayed a very high potential, too.

The Races
100 ICAJ. The 100 Junior was won by Spaniard Albert Costa (Birel-Parilla-Vega), who run the race always in the lead. Brit Manzur sprinted across the finishing line behind Costa, somewhat outdistancing Swede Erikson and Czech Groman. The first among the Italian drivers was Genini, ending fifth. Among the best Birel drivers we also find Vanthoor (10th) and Sorenses (13th), whereas Kronemberger was forced to withdraw. Some problems spoiled the race of German Antonfeld, too, who ended 18th. The championship is lead by Spaniard Costa with 31 points, ahead of Melker (25) and Groman (23).

100 ICA. Nicholas Risitano makes up greatly for Lonato’s unlucky race (ending up off the track) attaining a well-deserved victory crowned both by the pole position after the qualifiers and the start from the pole after the preliminary heats. In Sarno, the Latium-born driver seemed to be at a different level compared to his rivals (keeping his race at the same pace as the winners of Formula A) and these indications, obviously, give us hope regarding the European class Championship above all. A complete Birel podium could have formed behind Risitano, since at the start of the final the Latium-born driver was ahead of his team-mates Bosca and Campos on the grid. But soon after the start Alessandro Bosca had to give up his second position to Portuguese Parente ending 3rd in front of Daniel Campos. Alguersari ended 5th. Thanks to two third placings, Alessandro Bosca is now leading the Championship with 32 points, ahead of Parente (27) and the couple Calado - Risitano both in third position with 25 points.

100 FORMULA A. The Formula A was won by Forè ahead of Ardigò and Oakes.
The Birel drivers, as it often occurs during the Open Championship, took advantage of the race in Campania to tune up the latest technical solutions to be taken to the European Championship in Angerville in two weeks. In particular, some very promising solutions regarding the engines were tested, which will offer Birel drivers the possibility of making the most of their chances during the international season. Cesetti as well as Lancaster climbed right to the top of the results from the very beginning of the qualifiers and said to be greatly satisfied in relation to performances, even if they were penalised in the course of the weekend by the unreliability of some of the tested solutions. The information gathered during this weekend completes the data collected during the last technical tests carried out by Birel Motorsport and will be extremely useful to set out the solutions in view of the oncoming European event on May 15th.
The provisional results in the Open Championship after the Sarno race show Forè leading ahead of Ardigò and Hanley.

125 ICC. In the 125 ICC finals, Francesco Laudato, who had won the pole after the qualifiers as well as after the preliminary heats, had to deal with Manuel Cozzaglio in the course of the race. Laudato spurted off and took the lead, but was overtaken after the first few laps by his former team-mate and they crossed the finishing line in the same order. Laudato was slowed down by an inadequate set-up, which penalised him mainly during the early stage of the race. Anyway, to the Birel driver the place of honour (like in Lonato) means the provisional leadership in the Championship. The 3rd placing went to Kievitbosch, while another of the Birel drivers, Francesco Principe, ended his excellent performance with a 4th placing. After a fight for the 5th position, Piccini had the better of Frenchman Renaudie overtaking him one lap from the end. The championship is led by Laudato (40 points), followed so far by Dirks (the winner in Lonato) with 34 points. Cozzaglio ranks third with 32 points.

The Sarno races of the 125 Icc and 100 Ica classes were broadcast live by Rai, whereas the recording of the 100 Junior and Formula A classes will be shown on Tuesday, May 3rd at 4:00 p.m..

The next appointment with the Open Championship is scheduled for May 29th on the La Conca course of Muro Leccese.