VIRginia International Raceway to Host Maserati Trofeo World Series

VIRginia International Raceway to Host Maserati Trofeo World Series

Maserati Joins TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Weekend at VIR this August

Alton, Va. – June 12, 2014 – VIRginia International Raceway will host the fourth round of the Maserati Trofeo World Series 2014 on Aug. 24, the series’ only stop in the United States this year. The race is part of a three-day weekend at VIR, Aug. 22 to 24, featuring some of the world’s premier racing teams and the powerful Maserati GranTurismo race car, culminating with the fan-favorite TUDOR United SportsCar Championship race.

The Maserati Trofeo World Series race will take place on VIR’s historic full course, which is 3.27 miles with 17 turns and 130 feet of elevation changes. Courtesy of the Maserati Granturismo MC Trofeo 2014, the official race car of the series, drivers will top speeds close to 180 mph. The car’s lightweight, carbon fiber body that is equipped with the specific aero kit, is capable of strong acceleration and high cornering speed and is perfect for navigating the many twists and turns at VIR.

“As one of the most challenging road courses in the world, VIR was a natural fit for our only U.S. stop,” said Roberto Bozzi, sales & marketing motorsport manager for Maserati. “Our drivers can’t wait to get on the track and fans are in for a show. It’s an honor to be part of such an amazing weekend of racing with some of the best names in motorsport today.”

The August race will add another chapter to the 100 years of history of Maserati. Carroll Shelby, who earned worldwide fame by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959 and created the iconic Cobra sports cars in the early 1960s, won VIR’s first ever feature race. He claimed victory in a 20-lap, 65-mile event for top sports cars in 1957 driving the number 98 Maserati 450S. After winning, Shelby became an outspoken supporter of VIR’s challenging course and is famously remembered saying, “One lap at VIR is like a hundred at Watkins Glen.”

“The first official race at VIR was won by a Maserati, so it’s only fitting to have the series here during our biggest race weekend of the season,” said Connie Nyholm, owner and CEO of VIR. “The addition of the Maserati Trofeo World Series to the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship event lineup at VIR brings yet another impressive name for a weekend of high-quality racing. We’re honored to be the only U.S. stop for the series and look forward to a great race.”

The TUDOR United SportsCar Championship weekend, the pinnacle of racing formed by last year’s merger between GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and the American Le Mans Series, kicks off Aug. 22 with testing, qualifying, car corrals, driver autograph sessions, team chats, tech talks and more. In addition to the Maserati Trofeo World Series race, the following two days include races from the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series and the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, which both were supporting series in last year’s ALMS race weekend at the track. The headlining TUDOR United SportsCar Championship race will round out an action-packed weekend of high-performance racing on Sunday afternoon.

Fans can purchase advanced tickets for the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship’s highly-anticipated sole stop in the Mid-Atlantic and the other exciting races during the three-day event at www.virnow.com or at the VIR box office. Prices are $90 for a three-day ticket, $80 for a two-day ticket for Saturday and Sunday, $70 for a ticket to Sunday only, $50 for a ticket to Saturday only and $40 for a ticket to Friday only. All tickets purchased at the gate on race day cost an additional $10.

About VIRginia International Raceway

VIRginia International Raceway is one of America’s premier road courses, offering professional and amateur racing for modern and vintage classes while providing contemporary resort amenities. A prominent test facility for the automotive industry, VIR has the distinction of being named one of the top six courses in North America by Car & Driver Magazine, and southern roots and hospitality make it one of the friendliest. Conveniently located at the Virginia/North Carolina border, VIR is just a short two hour trip from Richmond and about an hour and 15 minutes from both the Piedmont-Triad and Raleigh-Durham International Airports.

VIR offers complementary amenities such as lodging, dining, a spa, an exclusive driver’s club, karting, off-road racing, skeet shooting, skid pad and more. The grounds also offer a unique setting and specialized facilities for corporate retreats, group activities and conference space. Onsite parcels are available for sale/lease to motorsports industry tenants. For more information, visit www.VIRnow.com, Facebook or Twitter.

About Maserati Trofeo World Series

The Maserati Trofeo, launched in 2010, heads into its fifth year with a race calendar made of six events in six different countries and three different continents. The Championship started in early May at re-known Belgian circuit of SPA Francorchamps, then stopped in Budapest at Hungaroring circuit. The European rounds will end at Silverstone in UK, before the long journey to US. The last two rounds of the championship will take place at Shanghai International Circuit (CHN) and the exotic race track in Abu Dhabi (UAE).The Trofeo event format is made of 2 sprint races of 30’ and 1 extended race of 60’, with a mandatory pit-stop. The most appreciated features of the Trofeo MC World Series are the organization by Maserati Headquarter, the intensive race format suitable for single or twin drivers and the exclusive hospitality program. This is a unique motorsport experience for all racing customers aiming to race in the GT class with the prestigious brand Maserati.

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