3rd November 2012 - Shanghai

Konvex Motorsport’s Renaud Kuppens has earned a place in the Maserati Trofeo's 'Hall of Fame'.

His second place in Race 1 of Maserati’s single-make series at Shanghai, China, was good enough to see him to the title. Kuppens has been in good form since Friday’s free practice and again shone in Qualifying 2. The only other driver able to trouble the Belgian was Cedric Sbirrazzuoli, who took pole in Race 1.

The win in today’s opening event went to Riccardo Ragazzi with Kuppens claiming second and Ange Barde third. In truth, it was the Swiss driver who crossed the line first but he was hit with a 10-second penalty after clashing with Ragazzi a few laps from the end as both drivers chased the win.

Also in the spotlight in this sixth round of this Maserati Trofeo MC World Series was Dutchman Mathijs Bakker. He closed out fourth after driving consistently well. Things could have turned out better for Monaco-based Cedric Sbirrazzuoli but he was forced to retire on lap 17 while challenging for the lead. Sbirrazzuoli had slipped down the field after an over-aggressive Pigoli had attacked at the start, a move that saw him shown the black flag by race officials. Labi Tadlaoui also deserves a mention for his comeback from last spot (25th) to finish in 13th.

So, Kuppens adds his name to the Maserati Trofeo winners from 2010 (Pietro Zumerle) and 2011 (David Baldi). This is a real triumph for the Belgian: as well as taking the overall title, he scooped the Trofeo Europa (for winning the most races in Europe), took the prize for earning the most pole positions and is first in the Team standings with Konvex Motorsport.

Renaud Kuppens: “I am really happy at winning the championship as, this year, it was a global event with the rounds in the USA and China. I knew that I had two races to secure the title and today I focused on not running any risks. Winning a title is more important than winning every single race so I drove within myself apart from the early duel with Ragazzi for first place.

The Maserati Trofeo is a top-class series. The organisation is excellent, the atmosphere is great and the car is reliable; you couldn’t ask for more. What sticks in the mind most is the US weekend at Sonoma; it was almost perfect. The only thing it lacked was a victory and I only missed out with a technical problem and had to retire. The other major step was Race 2 at Imola where I collected all the points on offer and moved into the Overall lead, one I have held onto ever since. I hope to have the chance to race with Maserati again in the future”.

The second race in Shanghai, and the last in the Maserati Trofeo season, is timed for 10.20 on Sunday morning (local time).

RACE 1

1. Riccardo Ragazzi/Alan Simoni - 40:49.649
2. Konvex Motorsport - Renaud Kuppens - 40:50.775 *
3. Ange Barde – 40.54.737

* In the Team series

4th November 2012 - Shanghai

The circuit of Shanghai, China, brought down the curtain on the 2012 Maserati Trofeo MC World Series. At the end of six gripping rounds held in three continents, (Europe, America and Asia) it was Renaud Kuppens, from Konvex Motorsport, who took the title. The season has been a remarkable one for the Belgian as he claimed the Overall and Team crowns, the award for notching up the most pole positions as well as pocketing the Trofeo Europa.

The year of intense racing saw an average of 24 cars line up at Jarama, Portimao, Imola, Paul Ricard, Sonoma and, fittingly, the cutting-edge Formula 1 circuit of Shanghai. In all 25 Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeos lined up and 35 drivers from 15 countries (Italy, Morocco, Singapore, Brazil, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Belgium, Monaco, Australia, Venezuela, Austria, Switzerland and China) took part. The final round was held in China; a first for this single-make series but not for Maserati: in 2004, 2005 and 2007 the Maserati MC12 turned out here in the FIA GT.

The last race in the championship was won by Giorgio Sernagiotto. He profited from Kuppens' puncturing when leading by a healthy margin. In second finished Alan Simoni, ahead of Mathijs Bakker - taking his first pole of the season. Fourth went to Azcarate and fifth to Andreas Segler.

The Maserati Trofeo MC World Series closing ceremony was held at the Maserati Pudong Downtown Showroom, the marque's home in Shanghai. As well as Kuppens, awards were bestowed on: Riccardo Ragazzi/Alan Simoni (Trofeo), Richard Denny (Over 50), Adrien De Leener (Under 30), Eric Lo e Shaun Thong (Best Asian Drivers).

There was huge interest in a marque as famous as Maserati over the entire weekend, one on which the company organised a packed press conference at the circuit's hospitality suite. Clients were also able to try out models from the current range and visit the exhibition spaces devoted to merchandising, an area enriched by the inclusion of a few choice cars, among them a Maserati GranCabrio Fendi. The enthusiasm for Maserati here is backed up by the figures with China now ranking as the marque second-biggest market after the US.

Eurosport will transmit highlights of the two Maserati Trofeo races from China during its 'Motorsport weekend' programme. The show will go out this evening (Sunday) at 23.30 with a 26-minute highlights package to be shown on Thursday 8 November at 18.15 on Eurosport 2.

RACE 2

1. Giorgio Sernagiotto/Giuseppe Fascicolo - 40:41.630
2. Alan Simoni/Riccardo Ragazzi – 40:54.668
3. Mathijs Bakker - 40:56.391

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION

1. Konvex Motorsport - Renaud Kuppens p. 174
2. Simoni/Ragazzi – p. 161
3. Giorgio Sernagiotto/Giuseppe Fascicolo p. 158

TROFEO CLASSIFICATION

1. Simoni/Ragazzi – p. 194
2. Fascicolo/Sernagiotto – p. 189
3. Venier/Gardelli – p. 120

The complete classifications can be found at www.maseraticorse.com. The site also includes in-depth reports, driver interviews and images from the Maserati Trofeo MC World Series.

Text and photos courtesy of Maserati