Porsche and Audi share wins as Biagi takes title
The Superstars Series weekend in Vallelunga saw Tomas Biagi securing the title in the first race of the weekend. The BMW Team Italia driver finished in third, clinching the title ahead of Pigoli and Ferrara.
The races were both exciting, leaving the 24,000 people who watched the races live on track very satisfied.
The first race was dominated by Giovanardi. After taking the pole position on Saturday, the driver from Sassuolo retained the lead at the start and nobody else was ever in contention. As Giovanardi built a huge gap, behind him the two Mercedes-drivers Pigoli and the new-entrant Rangoni battled for half a lap, until Rangoni managed to pass at the Trincea.
Morbidelli jumped to fourth, passing his team-mate Gabellini, and immediately started chasing Pigoli for third. Behind him, Biagi got past Gabellini as well and started following the former Superstars Series champion.
The fight between Pigoli and Morbidelli was hard but fair until lap nine, when Morbidelli hit the Mercedes at the Soratte and was punished with a drive-through penalty. Pigoli spun and rejoined in fifth, as Biagi inherited a precious third, which ultimately earned him a championship win. Ferrara had started from the back of the field after having had problems in qualifying and had to retire after a mistake at the Cimini.
The race finished with Giovanardi taking a dominant win, ahead of Rangoni and the Italian Champion Biagi. Gabellini finished in fourth ahead of Pigoli, Sini, Ghedina and Cola.
Race Two
The start of race two was especially messy, as five cars had to retire following a huge accident. The Safety Car was deployed. At the restart Sini and Cola took a big gap, as Biagi controversially slowed down before the green flag was waved.
Race one protagonists Rangoni and Giovanardi had slipped down to ninth and tenth respectively and gave the crowd a great show as they tried to make up for the time lost. Unfortunately the race lost a great star as Rangoni had to pit in about halfway through the race and was forced to retire.
On the other hand, Giovanardi managed to reach third place, spectacularly passing Gabellini with two laps to go at the Trincea. More drama was to come on the last lap, as Sini, who was leading, was hit by Cola at the Semaforo, with just a few corners to go of the race.
The Hop Mobile Audi Sport Italia driver won his first race in the Superstars Series ahead of Sini, who was not happy about the incident. Although the stewards decided not to penalize Cola.
Giovanardi rounded off the podium, finishing his 2010 season on a high; the N-Technology driver got five podiums out of six races contested, claimed four wins and three pole positions.
Apart from winning the Italian Championship, Biagi now enjoys a 41-points lead from Ferrara, with 43 points up for grabs at the final Superstars Series race in Kyalami, which is scheduled for November, 28th.
