Cirtek Motorsport has finally got its hands on the Ferrari 550 Maranello that it intends to field on behalf of Russian backers in this year's FIA GT Championship.
The team took delivery of the car from renowned Ferrari specialist Care Racing, and will now embark on an ambitious and extensive programme ahead of the 2005 season. Cirtek is Care's latest 'client', joining an illustrious list that has previously included Prodrive, Larbre Competition and multiple FIA GT champion Scuderia Italia.
"We are particularly delighted to initiate this co-operation with Rob Schirle and Cirtek, as their links with Russia open up a whole new market for us," commented Care's director of new business development, Dominique Falque.
Cirtek has already confirmed its intention to run the car under the Russian Age banner in the FIA GT Championship, where it will be driven by Russian drivers Nicolai Fomenko and Alexei Vasiliev, who will be joined by triple FIA GT champion Christophe Bouchut. The Frenchman raced another of Care Racing's Ferraris to GTS honours in last year's Le Mans Endurance Series, while running with long-time partner Larbre. Bouchut's expected commitment to Larbre's LMES campaign in 2005 means that Fomenko and Vasiliev will be joined by an as yet unnamed third driver for Cirtek's outings in the series.
"Cirtek is very pleased to have been chosen to lead this new age of Russian motorsport, especially as it is a long-term project," team owner Rob Schirle commented, "We want to be seen as a major factor in GT Racing, and in the FIA GT Championship in particular. Our partnership with Care Racing and use of one of its stable of Ferrari 550s is a vital part of that package, and I'm really looking forward to adding to the tally of race victories already achieved by the car in the past.
"Nicolai tested the car in December and loved it, while Alexei is a quick driver. It is a major boost, however, to have Christophe on board, with all the experience he gained with the car last year. There is still a lot of work to do, but we are quietly confident."
http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view...amp;nid=105896
Cirtek Motorsport has finally
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