Gianni Morbidelli wins first race

The Italian SuperStars Championship 2008 has opened the same way it ended in 2007. Gianni Morbidelli, reigning champion, put his signature on the race by taking the first victory of the season at Vallelunga. Behind him the two BMW 550i’s of Stefano Gabellini (Caal Racing) and Kristian Ghedina (Team Millenium) finished the race in second and third.

In the International SuperStars Series, the international series that has been approved by the FIA and will join the Italian SuperStars series at five events (like this one at Vallelunga), Gabellini took his first win.

Morbidelli, who started from pole position, managed to keep the lead of the race after the start, with Gabellini behind him. Giorgio Sanna (Audi RS4) was overtaken by Ghedina and Roberto Papini BMW M5s (Caal Racing). Later in the race the driver from Rome suffered more problems and had to return to the pits with a left rear tyre blown.

Papini regained fourth position, only to get a drive through penalty for speeding in the pit lane, dropping him back to tenth place.

Sascha Bert in the Racing4You Zakspeed Chrysler 300C SRT8 was forced to retire in the pits with technical problems. The team however was pleased about the debut of the Chrysler.

The next round will be held on May 3rd and 4th in the support program of the DTM round at Mugello in Italy. Max Pigoli will join the grid there in his Mercedes C63 AMG.