Relive the highlights of Super Trofeo Europe 2013, round one, at Monza autodrome.

The Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo European series got underway in Monza with its largest ever grid of 22 cars, new teams and drivers, an all-new Gallardo race car and a fulfilled promise of exciting racing on the legendary Italian circuit.

April 13-14, 2013 Race Weekend Fast Facts

Over the Monza weekend, the new Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo recorded 1.5s improvement in best lap time compared to the record set in 2012. Laurent Jenny recorded his best weekend in three seasons. Amici climbed 16 places to win in race 2. Prior to retirement, 17 year old Alessandra Brena was setting lap times inside the top ten. And prior to his puncture, Adrian Zaugg held a lead of over 6s in the second race.
The fastest legal pitstop of race one was Imperiale driver Andrea Solime and race two was newcomers Automobili Lamborghini Racing Team Germany with Erwin Stückle.

Race 1

2012 Champion Cédric Leimer kicked off the 2013 season where he had left off last year by winning a carefully managed and tactical race.

But it was Adrian Zaugg who set the pace in the early running and brought the Bonaldi Motorsport #3 car to the pit window with a clear leading margin. His amateur team-mate Federico De Nora sustained the South African driver’s lead until lap 15 when the Safety Car was deployed following a heavy crash for Swede Oscar Ortfeldt following a puncture.

At the re-start, just 6 minutes remained on the clock and De Nora fought valiantly to fend off a challenge from Cédric Leimer, but the Swiss driver’s commitment proved overwhelming and on lap 22, Leimer took the lead that he carried to the flag. The Bonaldi car claimed a highly creditable second pace and the Laurent Jenny, who had been consistently quick all weekend, added another Swiss and Autovitesse driver to the podium and in the process took maximum points for the Amateur class.

Race 2

Andrea Amici had been forced into early retirement in race 1 due to a brake problem, but in an epic demonstration of speed and racecraft, the young Italian raced from 16th on the grid to victory and on one lap overtook no less than five of his rivals! Amici’s win was claimed on the outside of the last corner of the race as he overtook race 1 winner Cédric Leimer. The other race contender, Adrian Zaugg saw his leading challenge fade on lap ten as a puncture forced his retirement.

After an impressive first race for the VIP #1 car that saw Italian TV celebrity Jimmy Ghione across the finish line in 8th place, race two was more of a torrid affair as the car suffered a brake problem necessitating additional pitstops and the occasional trip through the gravel. Lamborghini test driver Mario Fasanetto and Ghione were forced to retire on lap 17.

Meanwhile Laurent Jenny maintained his consistent form to claim his second podium in the space of a few hours, followed by the remarkable come-back story of Andrea Mamé and Mirko Zanardini who finished in fourth after a 180kph accident that destroyed their race car during Saturday’s qualifying.

Results and classifications

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Stephan Winkelmann, CEO and Director of Automobili Lamborghini SpA proudly unveiled the very impressive looking Veneno super car … an over the top evolution of the Aventador LP700-4 turning the already very potent street car into a true race car … while remaining street legal the Veneno shows a styling that is as close to an endurance race car as possible, by uprating the engine to 750hp the performance took a boost too, making this the fastest Lamborghini ever made.

Only slight problem … the Veneno is priced at 3 million Euro … without taxes … and to make things even worse only three will be built, and by the time we managed to see the car in Geneva all three were already sold … unseen!

Two of the Lamborghini Veneno units were picked up by residents of the United States, Antoine Dominic and Kris Singh managed to secure two of the car while the third one was bought by someone from the Middle East who asked to remain anonymous … but apparently is the same person that also bought the Aventador J in 2012 … and owns a Reventon Roadster too, a real Lamborghini enthusiast I would say.

With only three cars in the entire world … well that would be four in fact as this grey metallic Lamborghini Veneno remains property of the factory, it is not for sale, chances of seeing one in real life, and I mean outside of a closed stand at some major car show, are slim to non existant I would say … until you visit the Lamborghini VIP Village at the Super Trofeo race paddock, like last weekend (April 13-14) in Monza where everybody could admire the Veneno in plain daylight.

Sure it was fenced to keep the more eager members of the public away, but still it was the first time the general public was able to admire the rare Lamborghini Veneno out in the open air, I’m sure the sunlight resulted in some really amazing reflections on that grey metallic bodywork with all those air intakes, outlets, wings and clear carbon fiber … the Veneno will never cease to impress.

The video below posted by A8C100 shows the Veneno on display in Monza during the weekend of April 13th-14th:

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Weekend Fast Facts
Over the Monza weekend, the new Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo recorded 1.5s improvement in best lap time compared to the record set in 2012
Laurent Jenny recorded his best weekend in three seasons
Amici climbed 16 places to win in race 2
Prior to retirement, 17 year old Alessandra Brena was setting lap times inside the top ten
And prior to his puncture, Adrian Zaugg held a lead of over 6s in the second race
The fastest legal pitstop of race one was Imperiale driver Andrea Solime and race two was newcomers Automobili Lamborghini Racing Team Germany with Erwin Stückle

Race 1
The early Sunday start for the first race of the season saw Adrian Zaugg take up position at the front of the grid, an advantage he struggled to maintain on the rolling start as the field bunched into turn 1, with a variety of small taps, bumps and gravel excursions throughout the midfield. Amici presented Zaugg’s early challenge, until unexpected brake problems in the newly improved system forced the Italian driver’s retirement on lap 12. The chase was taken up by Davide Stancheris, Automobili Lamborghini Racing Team Germany newcomer Marcel Leipert and Cédric Leimer behind the hard-charging South African.

Remarkably, amid this leading cluster of pursing cars was Andrea Mamé, who had suffered a high speed accident during qualifying, destroying his car but thanks to the integrity of the Gallardo and his bravery, had returned to the grid the following day with his confidence undiminished for the race.

As the pit window approached, two strong performances emerged; after starting the race from the back of the grid, Automobili Lamborghini Racing Team UK driver Jason Yeomans passed eight cars in seven laps to reach p13, while Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo’s youngest ever race starter, 17 year old Alessandra Brena, had climbed six places from 17th on the grid to P11; however, the progress of the Imperiale car was halted on lap 15 after the driver change when her team-mate, Swede Oscar Ortfeldt crashed heavily following a puncture, and the Safety Car was deployed.

The re-start providing a sharp 6 minute finale to the race, with Adrian Zaugg’s team-mate, Frederico De Nora having lost all his advantage behind the Safety Car and by lap 22, he finally succumbed to intense pressure from Cédric Leimer and the 2012 Champion who claimed the first win of the year. De Nora was followed home by Laurent Jenny, the Swiss Autovitesse driver joining his countryman and stablemate on the podium and taking maximum points for the Amateur class.

Race 2
Race 2 was a remarkable recovery story as Andrea Amici drove from 16th on the grid to P6 before the stops and thereafter on to the win, claimed on the outside of the last corner of the race as he overtook an in-form Cédric Leimer. The other contender, Adrian Zaugg saw his leading challenge fade on lap ten as a puncture forced his retirement.

After an impressive first race for the VIP #1 car that saw Italian TV celebrity Jimmy Ghione across the finish line in 8th place, race two was more of a torrid affair as the car suffered a brake problem necessitating additional pitstops and the occasional trip through the gravel. Lamborghini test driver Mario Fasanetto and Ghione were forced to retire on lap 17.

Meanwhile Laurent Jenny maintained his consistent form to claim his second podium in the space of a few hours, followed him by the remarkable come-back story of Andrea Mamé and Mirko Zanardini who finished in fourth to close out a weekend of drama and a compelling start to the 2013 season.

Driver Quotes

Cédric Leimer #63, Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter Winner (race 1) & P2 (race 2):
“It has been a fantastic racing weekend and certainly a good way to start the championship with a win in the first race and second position in the second. I had a good start in the morning race and managed to go from fifth to second before the pit stop, but the distance to the leader was quite substantial. After the pit stop, the safety car allowed me to close the gap to De Nora. I kept applying pressure and the car was working a lot better towards the end, which allowed me to make the pass on the last lap. I started the second race from pole, but Zaugg was incredibly quick and he got me and pulled away in the early stages, but then he had to retire and we had a good pit stop, so I thought I might have a chance for a second win. But Amici was coming at lightning speed. We had an enjoyable battle and I managed to stay ahead until the last corner, but he finally got me. The second position is good and the two results gives us a solid lead in the Championship.”

Andrea Amici #54, Autocarrozzeria Imperiale S.R.L. NC (race 1) & Winner (race 2):
“After having to retire in the first race, I was very focused for the second and we did a fantastic job. The race was a hard battle one and I had to play catch up as I started from the sixteenth position. I had a good start and gained five positions on the first lap. I kept on pushing because we had chosen to start with a car set-up that was meant to work better at the beginning of the race, so it was important to move ahead quickly. I climbed to fifth before the pit stop and, after a spotless change, we had only lost a couple positions and I was right behind Leimer. I kept the pressure on and I thought maybe I couldn’t make it, but I finally overtook him on the outside on Parabolica right before the chequered flag. I am delighted with the result that wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and support of Autocarrozzeria Imperiale.”

Laurent Jenny #19, Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter P3 (race 1) & P3 (race 2):
“I couldn’t be any happier. Today’s races went perfectly and I finished both as the first Amateur driver. The car felt perfectly balanced and responsive in both races and I have managed to adapt my driving to the circumstances and staying focused for the entire duration of both races. This is my best result of the three seasons that I have raced in Super Trofeo and it is thanks to a spotless teamwork, for which I want to say thanks to Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter and to Cédric Leimer, who is not only my best friend but the best mentor anyone could have. And I also want to congratulate Lamborghini because the new Gallardo LP 570-4 is superb.”

Andrea Mamé #11, Bonaldi Motorsport P6 (race 1) & P4 (race 2):
“I had an impressive crash yesterday in qualifying and it was important for me to have a couple of good races today. I guess that I will feel a bit battered tonight but I am still amazed by the car’s safety, as it was a hard impact at around 180 kph. In any case, I felt perfectly fit to race today and we managed a very good result in both races. We battled for the podium, but on the last lap we had to switch to safety mode and we finished sixth in race one, and fourth in race two. Considering what has happened this weekend, these are good results for us.”

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There is even a one-off night race at Misano together with the Italian GT Championship … and this inaugural race for the brand new 2013 spec Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo car is going to be very interesting as three new teams join the leading contenders from last year in the PRO-AM and Amateur series … I guess we’ll be seeing some fierce battles on the track this season.

Adrian Zaugg claimed the pole at Monza for the first race of the 2013 Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series season ahead of Andrea Amici and Leonardo Geraci, however the reigning champion from the 2012 series, Cédric Leimer, racing for Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter won the first race of the 2013 season, amateur driver Frederico De Nora came in second upholding the positive start of the nr3 car with Zaugg behind the wheel while Laurent Jenny secured third place overall in the initimidating black nr19 car.

The second race of the weekend in Monza was secured by Andrea Amici in the nr54 car finished in bright red while the black nr19 car driven by Laurent Jenny managed a second podium for this driver, an impressive feat during this first race weekend in the 2013 Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo series.

This Monza stint is the first race in the European Super Trofeo Series, but don’t forget mid-June will be the start of the Super Trofeo USA series and on the other side of  the globe the Super Trofeo Asia competition will also be held for the second year in a row with the first round in Zuha, China on May 3-4 … and the champions from these three series will battle it out in an ultimate ‘World Final’ on the Vallelunga track in Italy on November 23-24.

More news Super Trofeo Europe

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Newcomers include a German team supported by G2 Racing and French entry Jerome Lhoste (#12) with team Autovitesse, and drivers including Arsitotelis Varvaroussis (#88) from Greece and Minister of Trade and Industry for Czechoslovakia Milan Urban (#66).

Series fans are also delighted to welcome back Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo 2011 Champion Cedric Leimar (#63) who has returned to defend his crown. For Monza, Italian GT Cup champion Davide Stancheris pilots the #23 car of Autocarrozzeria Imperiale, although without his GT cup co-driver, Lamborghini’s chief test driver Giorgio Sanna.

Guest driver in the Automobili Lamborghini #1 car in Monza is popular British television presenter and race driver Tiff Needell, filming a Fifth Gear programme for the Discovery Channel to be aired later this summer.

With 12 rounds over six race meetings, complemented by two free practice and a qualifying session each weekend, the line-up in Monza heralds a competitive and exciting 2012 season.
Qualifying, Saturday 14 April

In damp conditions, new Touring Auto 2000 driver Dimitri Enjalbert (#69) secured pole position with a last-gasp lap of 1:54.146 just as the flag waved to end the session. Bonaldi Motorsport’s Stefano Comini (#3) qualified a close second with a fastest lap time of 1:54.679 whilst last year’s Pro Am champion Cedric Leimar (#63) finished qualifying in third place.

“We only confirmed the team last Wednesday,” said Bernard Delhez, co-driver of Enjalbert. “Last year we tried out the Super Trofeo in Barcelona and won the first race, and now we have made a good start to this season with pole position. Dimitri has had the fastest time in qualifying and this has given us great motivation.”

Milan Urban (#66) driving for Team Heiko-Gravity Charouz made back row on the grid due to spinning and hitting the barrier at the entry to Parabolica 15 mins into the qualifying session. Guest driver Tiff Needell netted seventh place with his team mate, Lamborghini test driver Mario Fasanetto, starting in seventh place for the first race.

Round One, Saturday 14 April

With weather conditions changeable and heavy cloud cover overhead, teams chose a variety of wet and slick tyres to start the first race of the 2012 season.

Dimitri Enjalbert (#69) transformed his pole position into an immediate lead with the first three positions remaining unchanged for six laps until Stefano Comini (#3) took the lead on lap seven. Bernard Delhez (#69) took the opportunity to lead again at lap 12 whilst Comini was in the pits during the mandatory driver change window. However Comini, driving alone, returned strongly and held the lead all the way to the flag with a lap to spare.

“Despite the changing weather conditions I was on slick tyres all the way round, but the track was wet and the car was drifting a bit,” Comini said. “Dimitri (#69) and I were jostling each other and it was close but fun. Towards the end it was a bit dull as I was a lap ahead but the car performed well and the race was easy.”

Last season’s champion, Cedric Leimar (#63) gave up his third place start to VIP driver Tiff Needell (#1), who enjoyed an excellent race with team-mate Mario Fasanetto. The pair, who started seventh, claimed the final podium position in third, while Leimer took fourth position.

Further back there was a strong tussle between the #2 car of new German team G2 Racing and Jakub Knoll (#77) with Knoll getting the better of the duel for 13th position.

A delighted Tiff Needell commented: “Mario definitely made the right decision at the beginning to go with slick tyres. You will have to watch my report on Fifth Gear on the Discovery Channel but it was a dream result for a dream team. Super Mario meets Super Tiff!”

The 2012 Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo series resumes tomorrow at 11.10 for the final race of the weekend.

Qualifying results

1. Delhez/Enjalbert (#69) Touring Auto 200 SRL, 1:54.146
2. Comini (#3) Bonaldi Motorsport, 1:54.679
3. Leimar (#63) Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter, 1:55.088
4. Carboni (#54) Autocarrozzeria Imperiale S.R.L, 1.:55.430
5. Geraci/Tanca (#72) Autocarrozzeria Imperiale S.R.L, 1:55.912
6. Zucchi/Cola (#22) Autocarrozzeria Imperiale S.R.L, 1:55,963
7. Fasanetto/Needell (#1) Automobili Lamborghini, 1:56,275
8. Seveso/Pincastelli (#20) Autocarrozzeria Imperiale S.R. L, 1:57.014
9. Charouz/Varvaroussis (#88) Heiko-Gravity Charouz, 1:57.984
10. Mame/Zanardini (#11) Bonaldi Motorsport, 2:00.693
11. Hoste (#12) Autovitesse Garage R. Affolter, 2:00.793
12. Segler/Venema (#2) G2 Racing, 2:01.126
13. Leimar/Jenny (#19) Autovitesse Garage R.Afolter, 2:01.624
14. Knoll (#77) Heiko-Gravity Charouz Team, 2:02.037
15. Stovicek/Baran (#99) Heiko-Gravity Charouz Team, 2:03.243
16. Stancheris (#23) Bonaldi Motorsport, 2:06.332
17. M Urban/J Urban (#66) Heiko-Gravity Charouz Team, 2:06.801

Round One results

1. Comini (#69), Bonaldi Motorsport, 50:42.676
2. Delhez/Enjalbert (#69), Touring Auto 200 SRL, 52:11.764
3. Fasanetto/Needell (#1), Automobili Lamborghini, 52:26.088
4. Leimer (#63), Autovitesse Garage R.Affolter, 50:54.711
5. Carboni (#54), Autocarrozzeria Imperiale S.R.L, 51:21.911
6. Charouz/Varvaroussis, (#88) Heiko-Gravity Charouz Team, 52:00.871
7. Stancheris (#23) Bonaldi Motorsport, 52:02.498
8. Seveso/Pincastelli (#20)Autocarrozzeria Imperiale S.R.L, 52:23.130
9. Zucchi/Cola (#22), Autocarrozzeria Imperiale S.R.L, 52:23.954
10. Geraci/Tanca (#72), Autocarrozzeria Imperiale S.R.L, 52:33.345
11. Mamé/Zanardini (#11), Bonaldi Motorsport, 52:38.911
12. M Urban/J Urban (#66), Heiko-Gravity Charouz Team, 51:19.789
13. J Knoll (#77), Heiko-Gravity Charouz Team, 52:01.506
14. Segler/Venema (#2) G2 Racing, 52:13.432
15. Stovicek/Baran (#99), Heiko-Gravity Charouz Team, 52:28.855
16. H Leimer/Jenny (#19), Autovitesse Garage R.Affolter, 32:13.667
17. Lhoste (#12), Autovitesse Garage R.Affolter, 21:49.621

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