ITALIAN OPEN MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP 2006 - MURO LECCESE (LE), 12/13/14th MAY - ROUND 3

A LONG WEEKEND OF HARD WORK FOR THE BIREL TEAM

SOME NOVELTIES HAVE BEEN TESTED AT LECCE WITH A VIEW TO THE FUTURE CONTINENTAL RACES. ONCE AGAIN ANTONFELD (JUNIO), WITTMAN (ICA) AND THE DRIVERS OF 125 HAVE GIVEN A NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCE.

Following the difficulties experienced only 7 days ago on the same track, the Birel team took advantage of the 3rd round of the Open Championship to check the effectiveness of some developments, which have been applied both on the engine and on the chassis. Generally speaking the outcome was positive, although in terms of results there was no absolute success, even though, particularly as far as the 100 Junior and the 100 Ica were concerned, it could have been well within the grasp of Birel’s drivers. In the 100 Junior Peter Antonfeld proved that the chassis made in Lissone remains an absolute benchmark in view of the coming selections for the European Championship’s Final. The German driver did very well during qualification, then won two legs and ended up on the podium for the other two legs. Complications were brought about by the stewards who, in the last leg, penalised Antonfeld for closing off an opponent in an attempt to defend his own position. The excessive measures taken relegated Birel’s “official” driver to the 8th row for the 1st Final, a position from which, as everybody knows, it is very difficult to climb back up. The race’s toll was two slight collisions, the loss of one spoiler and no points. The only source of comfort was the chassis’ efficiency, which was also confirmed by the excellent performance of Matteo Viganò, 5th in Race 1 and 2nd in Race 2. Victory went to Taracon in the 1st Race and to Jenkins in the 2nd Race. As far as the championship table is concerned, Jenkins is now in the lead with 95 points, followed by Da Costa (87) and Camponeschi (82). In the 100 ICA, Race 1 was ruled by the Donlop tyres, with the first place won by Piccioni, followed by Pagliardi and Panackova. In Race 2 only Wittmann (14th in the 1st Final) was able to come between the Donlop drivers gaining 2nd place behind Piccioni, whereas the 3rd and 6th place went again to Donlop drivers, with Panackova preceding Baily and Drezen. The championship is lead by Piccioni (118 points), followed by Wittmann (86) and Ketty D’Ambrosio (59). In the 100 FA the Tm staff was very busy working on the engine; Cesetti easily managed to end up among the top 5 both in the various legs and in Race 1, where he gained 4th place behind Ardigò, Bressan and Parente. Lancaster on the other hand, could not make it to the starting grid: because of an accident in the last leg, he was obliged to retire due to persistent pain. Nicholas Risitano, who was also involved in the development of various solutions, ended the 1st race in 14th place. In Race 2, Cesetti’s engine went ko and Risitano also had problems involving set up. Victory went to Ardigò (Race 1) and Parente. In the championship table Catt increased his lead (102 points), ahead of the British driver Calado (74). In Race 1 of the 125 Icc Manuel Cozzaglio conquered the podium behind Manetti and Toninelli. Laudato also obtained a positive result ending in 6th place, ahead of Martin Frasnelli, who gave a great performance. The driver from Alto Adige was in fact one of the leading figures of Race 2, gaining the 3rd step of the podium behind Michele Fanetti (New Team Birel) and the winner Manetti. Once again Laudato ended in 6th place ahead of Cozzaglio. In the championship table Manetti jumped to the lead with 100 points ahead of Toninelli (90) and Laudato (86). The next rendezvous with the Open Championship is on the 18th June at Sarno. The races of Muro Leccese were broadcast live by RAI; on Tuesday afternoon, at 16.00, a re-run will be broadcast, also by RAI.