Villorba Corse debutta alla 12 Ore del Golfo con la Ferrari 458 e il campione di sci Didier Cuche

Dopo la premiazione ufficiale Ferrari al Ferrari World di Abu Dhabi per i successi nel Blancpain Endurance 2014, la Scuderia Villorba Corse torna a Yas Marina e con la Ferrari 458 GT3 debutta nell'impegnativa 12 Ore del Golfo, in programma dall'11 al 13 dicembre. Nella gara endurance la scuderia trevigiana sarà al via nella Gentleman Cup con un equipaggio speciale composto dal francese Cedric Mezard e dagli svizzeri Christophe Hurni e Didier Cuche, famosa stella dello sci alpino. Il campione elvetico, infatti, in carriera ha collezionato un oro, due argenti e un bronzo al Mondiali, un argento olimpico e 6 Coppe del Mondo tra gigante, supergigante e discesa libera.

Dunque sarà una prima esperienza particolare negli Emirati Arabi per la squadra diretta da Raimondo Amadio, una sorta di “missione esplorativa” e dalla line-up di tre piloti gentleman che indica la volontà di ampliare il novero delle attività sportive a programmi clienti, che in futuro si affiancheranno ai consueti programmi sportivi professionistici e che verranno seguiti da una struttura ad hoc interna alla scuderia.

“Sono molto soddisfatto di capitanare questa prima uscita di Villorba Corse ad Abu Dhabi - dichiara il team principal Amadio - e sono altrettanto felice di esordire con un programma clienti che sarà un giusto banco di prova per una nuova divisione interna che dal 2015 affiancherà i programmi professionistici garantendo a clienti e gentleman una cura e un trattamento particolari, degni della migliore tradizione Villorba. Inoltre, guardiamo al Medio Oriente con grande interesse, perché non è escluso che in futuro la nostra presenza nella zona sia opportunamente potenziata.”

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McLaren GT confirms works driver line-up for two car entry at the 2014 Gulf 12 Hour

McLaren GT has confirmed it will enter two examples of the 650S GT3 at the 2014 Gulf 12 Hour as the final stage of the development programme, ahead of customer deliveries for the 2015 season. The experienced driver line-up will see Rob Bell, Kevin Estre and Alvaro Parente in a full McLaren GT works entry, running alongside a Pro-Am customer partnership also managed by McLaren GT.

The development programme for the 650S GT3 has been run in parallel with the competitive running of 12C GT3s throughout 2014, benefiting from live track data from customer teams racing across the globe. This information, in conjunction with the extensive testing programme throughout Europe, has enabled the team to run an intensive schedule with constant improvements being made at every stage. The final activity will see the two 650S GT3s face the toughest test to date, battling against a highly competitive grid on the famous Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi.

As McLaren GT works drivers, Bell, Estre and Parente have been heavily involved with the development of the 650S GT3, and all three have competed at the highest level at the wheel of the 12C GT3. This season, Bell finished third in the Asian GT series while also claiming a hattrick of podium finishes with the 650S Sprint on its debut at Donington Park. Estre, in his first full year racing with McLaren GT, showed strong pace in each championship he contested, claiming back-to-back podiums in the Blancpain Endurance Series, and a dominant pole position at the highlight of the German VLN endurance series, to set the fastest lap in the history of the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Parente also secured further silverware with the 12C GT3 with victory at the opening round of the Blancpain Endurance Series at Monza, followed by a hard-fought second place in Paul Ricard.

The 650S GT3 of Bell, Estre and Parente will wear the orange, white and black livery which debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this summer, and will run the iconic #59, made famous by the McLaren F1 GTR at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. The activity marks the first McLaren GT works entry since the 12C GT3 completed a similar test at the 2011 Total 24 Hours of Spa ahead of the competitive debut in the 2012 season. The second 650S GT3 will be driven by Pro-Am pairing of Peter Kox and Nico Pronk, in a livery of silver and white with striking red detailing.

McLaren 650S GT3 – Car 59
Rob Bell (GB)
Kevin Estre (FR)
Alvaro Parente (PT)

McLaren 650S GT3 – Car 60
Peter Kox (NL)
Nico Pronk (NL)

Andrew Kirkaldy, McLaren GT Managing Director, commented: “The 650S GT3 has undergone extensive development testing, and the decision to enter the Gulf 12 Hour has been taken to push it to the next level. Any endurance race is a true test of any car, team and driver, and they identify any issues or weaknesses very clearly.
“It will be a real challenge, and the grid is amongst the strongest the race has ever had, but we have two strong line-ups. Our three works drivers of Rob [Bell], Kevin [Estre] and Alvaro [Parente] have tested the 650S GT3 over thousands of kilometres, and each raced successfully in the 12C GT3 this season. They are best-placed to push the 650S GT3 to its limits, and the race environment will ensure the development programme is fully completed ahead of customer team deliveries for the 2015 season.”

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