Fuentes and Scuderia Corsa Win World Challenge GT-A Championship
September 17, 2016 (Sonoma, Calif.) – Martin Fuentes only needed to finish in seventh position on Saturday to secure the Pirelli World Challenge GT-A championship in the no. 07 Scuderia Corsa / HUBLOT Ferrari 458 Italia. However, he contended for the lead but ultimately finished in second position to emphatically claim the GT-A championship.
Fuentes started the day with a big effort in qualifying, putting his Ferrari on pole position for the afternoon’s race. However, he lost the lead at the beginning of the race as he was forced to avoid a spinning GT-class car in the first corner. Despite falling to second position, Fuentes easily distanced the rest of the GT-A field and after 50 minutes of racing, brought the Ferrari to the checkered flag in second position to win the championship.
Fuentes tally for the season now stands at nine victories and seven additional podium finishes.
“I’m very, very happy to be able to win this championship,” said Fuentes. “Of course, I was aiming for that first spot but we had to play a smart race and we couldn’t take any chances. We were really concentrating on the big picture and we had a very good Ferrari, so getting that second place meant we would bring the championship home.
“This is not a single man championship. The whole year, Scuderia Corsa gave us a great car and I’m thankful for everyone on our team – this is a full team championship, and it wouldn’t be possible if I didn’t have the best team on my side. Thank you to everyone who supports us all season – the team, sponsors, and fans. We are looking forward to a great season in 2017, and to these last two races of the season.”
For Scuderia Corsa, it is the team’s third championship in North American sports car racing, following the 2013 GRAND-AM GT-class championship and 2015 IMSA GT-Daytona championship.
“When Martin started driving with us last year, we saw a fast and talented driver who was just a bit too aggressive,” said Giacomo Mattioli, Scuderia Corsa Team Owner. “We spent time in the off season reviewing the different races and talking about the approach to win a championship. As Martin started the season, everything came together. He knew the car, his feedback was more precise and he was really fast. He raced impeccably. Race after race, he kept improving and today’s championship is a well-deserved reward for his hard work! At Scuderia Corsa, we are very proud and honored to have contributed to the first championship in his career.”
Two races remain for Fuentes – Sunday’s race at Sonoma Raceway and the season finale, October 7-9, at Laguna Seca in Salinas, California. Fuentes will start Sunday’s race in second position in GT-A.
The GT races from Sonoma Raceway will be broadcast on CBS Sports on Sunday, September 25 at 4:00 PM ET.
About Scuderia Corsa
2016 24Hours of Le Mans GTE-Am winner, 2016 6H of Watkins Glen Winner, 2016 12H of Sebring Winner, 2016 Pirelli World Champion GTA Winner, 2015 24Hours of Le Mans Podium, 2015 IMSA GTD and 2013 Grand-AM GT championship-winning team Scuderia Corsa was founded in 2013 by Giacomo Mattioli and Art Zafiropoulo.
Team Sponsors:
Ferrari Beverly Hills / Los Angeles / Silicon Valley / South Bay - North America’s premiere Ferrari dealership group specializing in new and pre-owned sales, Classiche designation work, collision repair and factory trained service and original parts. Pacific Western Bank is a Los Angeles-based commercial bank with over $21 billion in assets. Pacific Western provides commercial banking services, including real estate, construction, and commercial loans, to small and medium-sized businesses through 80 full-service branches throughout the state of California. Its CapitalSource Division delivers cash flow, asset-based, equipment and real estate loans, as well as treasury management services to middle market businesses on a national basis. The Square 1 Bank Division, headquartered at Pacific Western’s Durham, North Carolina branch, offers a comprehensive suite of financial services focused on entrepreneurial businesses and their venture capital and private equity investors, with offices located in all key innovative hubs across the United States. Pacific Western Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PacWest Bancorp (NASDAQ: PACW). Ferrari Palm Beach – Providing the exclusive Palm Beach market with a premium inventory of new and pre-owned Ferraris, state-of-the-art facilities and technicians for expert maintenance and repair. Wide World Ferrari – Located in Spring Valley, New York, offering Ferrari customers a premium selection of new and pre-owned Ferraris, expert authorized service and exclusive Ferrari certified body repair. Zonin USA –Zonin USA is wholly owned by Casa Vinicola Zonin S.p.A. in Italy, a company of seven generations of wine makers with eleven estates located in the most prestigious wine growing areas in Italy. Hublot – A champion of innovation, Hublot revolutionized the watch industry with the introduction of the Big Bang, a multiple award winning timepiece created using a combination of precious metals with rubber. Since then, the Swiss brand has become universally known for the concept, “Art of Fusion.” From in-house watch complications to world-class collaborations, Hublot is constantly evolving and looking to the future. PassTime - PassTime GPS has been in business for more than 25 years in the global transportation industry. Our wireless GPS products are available to auto dealers, auto finance companies, auto leasing companies, insurance companies and fleet transportation provider’s in the USA, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Asia Pacific. SONIC Tools – SONIC Tools is the North American subsidiary of Sonic Equipment, the world’s market leader in premium hand tools and tool box systems for both commercial and consumer use. The company’s mission is to elevate efficiency in the professional workshop through its premium hand tools and unique tool organization solutions. Sonic Tools’ precision-crafted tools, toolboxes and wall systems are found in the world’s most progressive automotive enterprises, and personal garages.
Technical Suppliers
Motegi Racing – through technical partnerships with leading professional racing teams, Motegi Racing Competition and High Performance Tuning wheels are designed and engineered for performance. Motegi Racing is a Wheel Pros brand. Wheel Pros products are sold worldwide in more than 20 countries on four continents and through a U.S. network of more than 10,000 active dealers. AERO Advanced Paint Technology is the world’s only ultra-durable, film-based paint appliqué. AERO is 50 percent lighter than traditional paint, has 100x superior durability, is strip-able, and has virtually zero carbon footprint. AERO the future of paint. Sabelt – leading manufacturer of seat belts and safety harnesses for production and racings cars, race suits, shoes and helmets, carbon seats for automobiles and child restraint systems worldwide. AllState – Allstate Roadside Services strives to provide the industry’s best roadside experience for our partners, their customers and our service providers.
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Email: Media@ScuderiaCorsa.com
Picture Credit to Bob Chapman, Autosport Image
