Italia: Emanuele Naspetti Imola preview

EMANUELE NASPETTI MAKES PORSCHE CARRERA CUP ITALIA DEBUT AT IMOLA

Former Formula 1 driver Emanuele Naspetti will return to racing this weekend at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. The Italian will make his Carrera Cup Italia debut at the wheel of a Porsche 911, ran by team GDL Racing, for the first 2009 rounds of the prestigious Stuttgart-based championship.

The 41-year-old from Ancona tested his 420-hp car last March at the Misano Adriatico circuit, focusing on the 2009 set-up as well as obtaining crucial feedback on his times.

"By the time we finished the shakedown last month, I was well aware of the high level the majority of drivers race at, and I am expecting some great battles on track," said Naspetti. "I look forward to the competition this weekend. I have some great memories of Imola; the last time I raced there was in 2006 and I won both races in the Italian Supertourimo.

"The track has been renovated since, which I'm sure will be an important factor, but we're optimistic nonetheless."

This weekend's races will be preceeded by two free practice sessions on Friday at 13.50 and 17.40 and qualifying on Satuday at 10.40. Qualifications will follow the current Formula 1 format with only the top 15 drivers from the first session able to contest for pole position in the second session.

Saturday's race one will begin at 16.10, whilst race two is scheduled to start at 15.10 on Sunday. Both races will last 28 minutes plus one lap and will be broadcast live on the Nuvolari TV channel.

-credit: naspetti.com