Scuderia Corsa, the Los Angeles based Ferrari racing team competing in its first full season of Grand-AM, dominated the GT class in this weekend’s Grand-AM of the Americas race at the Austin, Texas, Circuit of the Americas.
From the first practice sessions on Thursday it was clear the Scuderia Corsa #63 Ferrari 458 was the car to beat. On Friday, Team driver Alessandro Balzan earned the GT pole qualifying with a fastest lap time of 2:08.846. Once the #63 was on the pole for Saturday’s race, both Alessandro Balzan and co-driver Alessandro Pier Guidi rarely looked back. They led 47 of the 67 laps in the 2 hour 45 minute race and crossed the finish line in first place with a commanding lead.
But victory was short lived. Race officials issued a one lap, plus 90-second penalty for avoidable contact after race leaders Alessandro Pier Guidi and Andy Lally in the Magnus Racing Porsche made contact in the final laps.
Scuderia Corsa team principal Giacomo Mattioli, reflecting on the race’s outcome said, “we are disappointed with the decision of the officials, however, we respect their position and decided not to file an appeal. We believe the battle between our Ferrari #63 and the #44 Porsche was fair and exciting. We are very encouraged by the numerous notes and postings of support we received from the fans. That is why we race, to give the fans a good show. I think that having two iconic brands like Ferrari and Porsche battling the way they did at COTA last Saturday is exactly what the fans expect. I am very proud of our team and what we’ve accomplished in such a short time”.
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