2006 Maserati MC12 Corsa

The Maserati MC12 Versione Corse was a racetrack version of the street-legal MC12. Intended for private use, the Versione Corse was developed directly from the MC12 GT1, which won the FIA GT Manufacturers Cup in 2005. Similar to the Ferrari FXX program, the Versione Corse was owned by private individuals, but Maserati was responsible for the storage, maintenance, and upkeep. It differed from the FXX by not being used for research and development - instead, purely for entertainment.

A total of twelve examples of the MC12 Versione Corses were built, and each was sold for €1 million (US$1.47 million). Another three vehicles were produced for testing and publicity purposes. Three examples of the MC12 Versione Corse were converted to road legal use by Edo Competition.

The Maserati MC12 Versione Corse rested on a 110-inch wheelbase (2800 mm) with an overall length of 202 inches (5143mm), a width of 83 inches (2096 mm), and a height of 47 inches (1205 mm). The engine was sourced from the MC12 GT1 and delivered 745 horsepower (555 kW) at 8,000 RPM (an increase of 120 hp over the road-going MC12). It had steel/carbon racing brakes (no anti-lock braking system), the shortened nose from the GT1, and came standard with a 'Blue Victory' color scheme. The car's paint scheme, however, could be customized by the buyer.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2006

Le Castellet (F), 4 July 2010 -Maserati dominated the FIA GT1 World Championship and the GT4 European Cup races at the Paul Ricard circuit in France.

As on the day before, the first to go under the checkered flag in the fourth round of the GT1 World Championship were Andrea Bertolini and Michael Bartels. With Vitaphone Racing Team's Maserati MC12 no. 1, they got it all: a pole position, a victory in Saturday's Qualifying Race, a victory in Sunday's Championship Race and first place in the Drivers' classification.

There was also great satisfaction on the part of Triple H Team Hegersport for the result obtained by Heger/Margaritis at the wheel of Maserati MC12 no. 33. After an eighth place at the starting line, the duo obtained the third step on the podium. Bobbi/Longin's no. 34 reached eleventh place.

Vitaphone Racing Team's no. 2, driven by Bernoldi/Ramos, was unfortunate. It was forced to leave the race after contact with Piccini's Corvette no. 13 while the Brazilian was defending a second position.

The weekend in France was fruitful for Maserati: there were good results obtained by Alessandro Pier Guidi, who got two pole positions and two victories while debuting with a Maserati GranTurismo MC GT4 in the GT4 European Cup championship.

Andrea Bertolini - Vitaphone Racing Team no. 1 - Maserati MC12 - GT1 World Championship
'It was a great weekend. The entire team worked in perfect harmony and for the first time we also won the Championship Race. Thanks to this success and to the points obtained for first place in the Qualifying Race, we've reached the top in the Drivers' classification. The championship is long and competitive, however, and so we have to keep working in this direction.'

Alessandro Pier Guidi - Maserati Corse - Maserati GranTurismo MC GT4 - GT4 European Cup
'We were fast both in the qualifying practices and in the actual races, getting two successes. Today's race was perhaps tougher, our competitors were closer and I really had to fight until the end to maintain our advantage. So it was doubly satisfying because it is the first time I manage to do this on my own. It had happened before but I had been sharing the seat with another driver.'

The next FIA GT1 World Championship round will be held at Spa (Belgium) on 31 July.

Le Castellet - Paul Ricard
Lenght of the circuit: 5.842 m

Temperature
32°C air - 47°C track

Championship Race FIA GT1 World results:
1. Bartels/Bertolini - Vitaphone Racing Team - Maserati MC12
2. Krumm/Dumbreck - Sumo Power GT - Nissan GT-R - + 7.057
3. Margaritis/Heger - Triple H Team Hegersport - Maserati MC12 + 24.633

11. Bobbi/Longin - Triple H Team Hegersport - Maserati MC12 > 1 m

Bernoldi/Ramos - Vitaphone Racing Team - Maserati MC12 - ret

FIA GT1 World Championship driver's classification
1.Bartels/Bertolini - Vitaphone Racing Team - 77 p.
2. Grosjean/Mutsch - Matech Competion - 62 p.
3. Hennerici - Phoenix Racing/Carsport - 40 p.

Source - Maserati