With one of the toughest races in the world fast approaching, the CR Scuderia team is delighted to announce its driver line-up for the 2008 Total 24 Hours of Spa. Joining Chris Niarchos and Tim Mullen in the no.55 CRS Ferrari is Andrea Piccini and Gordon Shedden, whilst Dirk Müller will join Andrew Kirkaldy and Rob Bell in CRS Ferrari no.56, with CRS British GT driver, James Sutton, joining that squad as a reserve driver.
CR Scuderia Ferrari no.55: Chris Niarchos, Tim Mullen, Andrea Piccini & Gordon Shedden
Andrea Piccini is one of Europe’s most experienced sportscar drivers. The 29 year-old Italian has driven for many of the top GT teams and tasted success on many occasions. "I'm glad to be racing in such a competitive car at Spa, my favourite track, said Piccini.
"Previously in the Spa 24 Hours I have raced in the GT1 class, achieving two pole positions in 2002 with the Ferrari 550 Prodrive and in 2006 with the Aston Martin, finishing second after leading the race for 22 hours, so racing in GT2 will be a new experience for me.
CR Scuderia is a new team but with very experienced members and drivers and I'm sure it will be a pleasure to be part of such a good line-up. I'm just back from Le Mans where I finished fourth in the 007 Aston Martin, shared with Karl Wendlinger and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, so I'm more than ready for another charging 24 hours with the target of finishing on the podium."
Scotland’s Gordon Shedden will be swapping his Honda Civic S2000 BTCC car for a Ferrari 430 GT2 car but he is no stranger to the Italian marque, having tested on many occasions. He is also no stranger to winning, with numerous BTCC race wins under his belt.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to join CR Scuderia for the most prestigious race of the FIA GT calendar, said Shedden. "I’m really looking forward to competing in my first 24 hour race and to link up with Chris and Tim. I sat next to Chris as an instructor at his first track day and it’s great to join up with him in a race environment and Tim’s quality is known across the board.
We should make a great team. What’s really nice for me is that my BTCC race engineer, Eddie Hinckley, is one of the engineers at CRS so I will feel at home right away. I can’t wait to get in the Ferrari and help the guys in their quest for Championship points!"
CR Scuderia Ferrari no.56: Andrew Kirkaldy, Rob Bell, Dirk Müller & James Sutton
Dirk Müller needs no introduction as he is the reigning GT2 Champion of the FIA GT Championship. He is currently competing in the American Le Mans Series for Tafel Racing. "I’m delighted to help out the new CR Scuderia Ferrari team in Spa," said Muller. "It is a very demanding track and so important for the whole championship. I’m very much looking forward to supporting Andrew and Rob and I’m quite sure that we have the right package for a successful weekend."
James Sutton is one of CR Scuderia’s British GT drivers and often described as ‘one to watch’. The 22 year-old Londoner is the reigning Porsche Carrera Cup GB Champion and has proven that he is just as handy in a Ferrari. "I’m extremely grateful to CRS for giving me this opportunity. It has been a long-held ambition of mine to compete at Spa and I’m glad that I get to live out that dream with the CRS team. I am fully aware of the responsibility that they have given me and I intend to do the very best job that I can."
Before the Spa 24 Hours takes place in a few weeks time, the FIA GT teams have another race, at Oschersleben in Germany. Round four takes place this weekend. The CRS drivers have all gone well there before so will be looking for a good result to launch them into the build-up for the big one at Spa.
"After taking pole position at Oschersleben the last two years I’m pretty confident of my pace there," said CRS Team Director, Andrew Kirkaldy. "I think out of the three races we have had so far this year we could have won at Silverstone and also at Adria if things had gone our way. They didn’t of course but we have proved we are quick enough and the team is gelling well now so it is only a matter of time before we get it all together and start winning."
- SRO -
