SuperStars Season Review – Part Two

In it’s third year running, the SuperStars series got a major boost, when it got the status of an international series, approved by the FIA. This immediately resulted in more TV coverage around Europe, more drivers, more teams and the first race outside italy. With 6 approved car models, the Audi RS4, BMW 550i – M5, Cadillac CTS-V, Jaguar S-type R, Maserati Quattroporte and the Mercedes C55 – 63, the series has a strong basis.

Race 5 – Double victory for Audi at Nürburgring

The fifth race ended like the fourth race. Gianni Morbidelli dominated the field again in front of his teammate Giorgio Sanna in the second Audi RS4 from Audi Sport Italia. Back on the podium was Alessandro Balzan in the Jaguar from the Jaguar Dealers Team.

The rolling start allowed the BMW 550i of Giuliano Alessi (Caal Racing) and Kristian Ghedina (GDL Racing), starting from the second row, to pass the two Audis on the first row. But the attempt to pass meant both the drivers had to brake beyond the limit. Alessi made a mistake so that he drove onto the grass and dropped back to fourth position, while Ghedina only returned to the track a lap later.

Sanna made the most of his start in order to pass team mate Morbidelli, taking first place on the third lap, also recording the fastest lap of the race. Balzan, constantly in third position, did not appear in a position to stress the two Audis, who took their second double victory of the season after Magione.

Race 6 – Gueststar Capello claims 2nd position at Adria

Alongside of the international FIA GT Championship the Superstars Series had a famous gueststarter! Audi Sport works driver Dindo Capello, former Le Mans champion on Bentley and Audi joined the Audi team for this race.

After Capello drove the fastest lap in the qualifying, his teammate Morbidelli took the lead after the rolling start. From 3rd position Alessi overtook the two Audis in the second corner. Also in the second corner Massimo Pigoli had a crash with a BMW M5 and retired. His teammate Balzan had also big trouble in the first lap but in the end he could overtake some drivers and finished 5th.

After the first laps of the race Alessi got problems with his tyres on his BMW 550i so that the Audi Team could win again with Morbidelli in 1st and Capello in 2nd position. Alessi drove to a good 3rd place in front of another BMW driver Alessandro Battaglin.

Race 7 – Skistar Ghedina claims second podium finish at Vallelunga

Again it was Gianni Morbidelli taking the pole position in the works Audi, ahead of his his teammate Giorgio Sanna? Third on the starting grid was Kristian Ghedina who overtook Sanna at the Start. In the second curve Sanna wanted to overtake Ghedina again but he missed the grip, giving Alessandro Balzan the chance to pass Sanna and claiming third position.

On lap 6 the visitors saw a crash between Steven Goldstein in the third Audi and Massimo Pigoli in the Jaguar. The Jaguar retired with a broken suspension and Goldstein some laps later in the pits with a hot engine. In lap 8 Giorgio Sanna came to the pits with a broken engine so that Gianni Morbidelli won before the best BMW pilot Alessi and Ghedina. Monza winner Alessandro Balzan could score important points with the 4th place.

Race 8 – Morbidelli Superstars Champion 2008 at Monza !

The big winner of the last race was the dominator of the Superstars season 2007: Gianni Morbidelli! He took the pole and won also the last race with his Audi Team Italia. His teammate Giorgio Sanna was only 7th on the grid but after some crashes he could claim 4th place.

In the first lap Giorgio Alessi hit Pigolis Jaguar and retired. In lap 5 Kristian Ghedina also hit the Jaguar driver and one lap later he had a bad crash because of a tyre damage. The second Jaguar Pilot could secure his 2nd place after the start and finished 2nd before Battaglin who could claim his best race result in the superstars season 2007.