Aston Martin protest MC12
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ByEurosport
Published 17/03/2005 at 09:45 GMT
Aston Martin Racing has filed a protest in respect of the validity of the entry of the Maserati MC12 in this weekend's Sebring 12 Hours. The manufacturer, which is returning to motorsport this season, welcomes competition but argues that the car does not
Speaking on behalf of Aston Martin Racing, David Richards said: "When Aston Martin decided to return to its racing roots we invested a great deal of time and resource to develop the DBR9 - a car based entirely on the road- going DB9 and in total conformity with the ACO and FIA regulations."
"We welcome competition, after all that is why we go racing, but it is imperative that we all conform with the published technical regulations and that race organisers strictly apply the rules."
"Without long-term stability we will never be able to attract the new manufacturers that GT Racing needs to thrive."
"The consistent application of the rules that determine whether a competitor is eligible to compete is therefore imperative for the good health of the sport. Only through this process will we achieve a stable platform that will attract new participants for us all to enjoy great motor racing."
Meanwhile, Maserati team boss Claudio Berro has swept aside the protest after clarifying the situation as follows:
"We received an invitation from IMSA to race and we accepted it," he explained. "The ACO and FIA recently came together for the same rules and regulations, and we comply within the FIA regulations, although the ACO says there is a 66mm difference between GT1 cars and our car, and seven to ten kilos.
"We are not concerned about the protest. We will respect IMSA's decision."
While the ALMS and ACO are based on the same regulations, the Le Mans organisers have categorically refused the car entry into this year's 24 Hour event.
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