Late Race Heroics Result in Podium Home Race for Scuderia Corsa
LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 8, 2017)- Racing in front of a home crowd and with several guests on-hand, Los Angeles-based Scuderia Corsa took an impressive third-place finish during today’s Grand Prix of Long Beach, the third round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This would serve as the second consecutive podium of the 2017 season, with the team gaining five positions toward the GT Daytona (GTD) championship, now unofficially second in the standings.
Competing on the city streets of downtown Long Beach, the 1.9-mile circuit served as the first “sprint” race of the season. Having only 100 minutes to maximize their position and avoid mistakes, Scuderia Corsa drivers Christina Nielsen and Alessandro Balzan had a strong challenge on the circuit debut for the Ferrari 488 GT3.
The team managed to gain eight positions during the one-hour, forty-minute event, and on a track notorious for no passing and constant incidents. Christina Nielsen opened up the race by advancing positions in the opening laps, and ultimately running lap times as fast as the leaders.
Utilizing clever strategy with one hour to go, an incredible pit stop would advance closing-driver Alessandro Balzan two positions for his race-ending run. Engaging in a close fight for the final podium spot, Balzan would fight wheel-to-wheel throughout the final 50 minutes, when with five minutes remaining he would seize an opportunity headed in to the treacherous Turn Nine; out-braking his competitor and solidifying their podium position.
For Christina Nielsen, bringing a trophy home just a few miles from her home is the result of a total team effort.
“I can’t take any credit for today,” stated Nielsen. “This credit goes entirely to Scuderia Corsa and Alessandro Balzan, they were totally my heroes today. How they executed, it’s just unbelievable what they did. They keep creating magic, every time I would think ‘you can’t do this,’ they make it happen. They kept telling me I was running lap times as fast as the leaders, but you just can’t pass. Huge props to Alessandro and the Scuderia Corsa guys, that was just badass.” 
For driver Alessandro Balzan, an incredible fight throughout his stint was awarded with a podium.
“It feels like a win,” stated Balzan. “It’s been a while since I had to fight so hard. The car ahead was very strong after every re-start, but they made a small mistake coming out of Turn Eight, so I broke as late as I could going in to Turn Nine, there was a little contact but it was great racing. I had a lot of fun and I’m very happy to take a podium for the Scuderia Corsa home Grand Prix.”
For Scuderia Corsa team owner Giacomo Mattioli, a podium position feels very much like a victory.
“It was a fantastic day,” stated Mattioli. “To start in p11 and finish on the podium is the best we could possibly ask for. Great job from the drivers and crew during the pit stops, this was a great boost for our championship. We had a lot of guests today, it was a lot of fun to have them with so much support and so many friends, and we’re happy to deliver a podium for them.”
With the “sprint” season fully under way, the team will head East for Round Four at the world-famous Circuit of the Americas, driving on the same circuit as the Formula One World Championship during the United States Grand Prix. Practice will begin on Friday, May 4, with the race taking two days later on Sunday, May 6.
About Scuderia Corsa
2016 IMSA GTD Champion, 2016 24Hours of Le Mans GTE-Am winner, 2016 6H of Watkins Glen Winner, 2016 12H of Sebring Winner, 2016 Pirelli World Challenge GTA Champion, 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. Follow Scuderia Corsa on Twitter @Scuderia_Corsa, on Facebook at Scuderia Corsa, Instagram at #Scuderiacorsaferrari and ScuderiaCorsa.com
Team Sponsors:
Ferrari Beverly Hills / Westlake / 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. 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
