Risi Competizione Ferrari Takes Second at 2006 Petit Le Mans

Risi Competizione Ferrari Takes Second at 2006 Petit Le Mans

Posted: October 1st, 2006 in American Le Mans
Author: Risi Competizione
Photo By: Joe Martin

A Risi Competizione Ferrari F430GT, driven by Marino Franchitti, Maurizio Mediani, and Anthony Lazarro, recovered from a first hour setback to move all the way from 10th to second place in the GT2 class in the 2006 Petit Le Mans endurance race. The race runs for 10 hours or 1000 miles, whichever comes first. This year, it was the 1000 miles, as the overall winning LMP1 Audi finished the 1000 miles in 9 hours, 16 minutes, and 48 seconds.

“This is a very good showing for our team” said Remo Ferri, whose Ferri Competizione/Ferrari of Ontario combined with Giacomo Mattioli’s Ferrari of Silicon Valley to bring the #61 Ferrari to the track, entered through Risi Competizione. The 2nd place finish is the second in a row for the #61 car; on September 3rd, #61 took second at the Labour Day Grand Prix of Mosport while its stablemate took 1st, creating a historic 1-2 finish for Ferrari in ALMS.

It was not an easy race for the Risi Competizione team. After qualifying 1st (#62 Ferrari, driven by Ralf Kelleners, Stephane Ortelli, and Markus Palttala ) and 2nd (#61), the team, which had been fastest in practice, had hopes for a repeat of Mosport. But it was not to be, as the #62 Ferrari went out early in the race (1 hour, 38 minutes running time) when Kelleners had an on-course incident and the car hit a wall, forcing its retire.

Just one hour into the race, the #61 team was lodged in 10th position, but it did not stay there. By hour 2, the team had advanced to 6th position and by hour 3, the F430GT was sitting third. In hour 4, the Rosso Corso Ferrari took second place, a position it held for the remainder of the race.

“It was a great race and the Ferrari F430GT proved again what a reliable race car it is. Michelin did yet another superb job with tire selection and strategy and Marino, Maurizio and Anthony drove a very superb race. ” said Team Managing Director Giuseppe Risi. “I am delighted for Remo and Giacomo and for Ferri Competizione. It is a great result in a classic endurance race.