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30.09.2006  |  Petit Le Mans | RoadAtlanta
RISI COMPETIZIONE FERRARI TAKES SECOND AT 2006 PETIT LE MANS.

Braselton, Georgia - A Risi Competizione Ferrari F430GT, driven by Marino Franchitti, Maurizio Mediani, and Anthony Lazarro, recovered from a first hour setback to move all the way from 10th to second place in the GT2 class in the 2006 Petit Le Mans endurance race. The race runs for 10 hours or 1000 miles, whichever comes first. This year, it was the 1000 miles, as the overall winning LMP1 Audi finished the 1000 miles in 9 hours, 16 minutes, and 48 seconds.

 "This is a very good showing for our team" said Remo Ferri, whose Ferri Competizione/Ferrari of Ontario combined with Giacomo Mattioli's Ferrari of Silicon Valley to bring the #61 Ferrari to the track, entered through Risi Competizione.  The 2nd place finish is the second in a row for the #61 car; on September 3rd, #61 took second at the Labour Day Grand Prix of Mosport while its stablemate took 1st, creating a historic 1-2 finish for Ferrari in ALMS.

It was not an easy race for the Risi Competizione team. After qualifying 1st (#62 Ferrari, driven by Ralf Kelleners, Stephane Ortelli, and Markus Palttala ) and 2nd (#61), the team, which had been fastest in practice, had hopes for a repeat of Mosport. But it was not to be, as the #62 Ferrari went out early in the race (1 hour, 38 minutes running time) when Kelleners had an on-course incident and the car hit a wall, forcing its retire.

Just one hour into the race, the #61 team was lodged in 10th position, but it did not stay there. By hour 2, the team had advanced to 6th position and by hour 3, the F430GT was sitting third. In hour 4, the Rosso Corso Ferrari took second place, a position it held for the remainder of the race.

"It was a great race and the Ferrari F430GT proved again what a reliable race car it is. Michelin did yet another superb job with tire selection and strategy and Marino, Maurizio and Anthony drove a very superb race. " said Team Managing Director Giuseppe Risi. "I am delighted for Remo and Giacomo and for Ferri Competizione. It is a great result in a classic endurance race.

Risi Competizione is a Houston-based Ferrari racing team lead by Managing Director Giuseppe Risi. Sponsors include Michelin, Boost/Motorola, Forza2/Motorsport, LP/Italy, Putnam Leasing, Tubi Style, Boardwalk Autogroup and AMD.

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30.09.2006  |  Petit Le Mans | RoadAtlanta
FERRARI HOLDS SECOND PLACE IN GT2 AFTER 7 HOURS AT PETIT LE MANS.

Braselton, Georgia - As night fully enveloped the 2.54 mile, 12 turn Road Atlanta course, home of the 2006 Petit Le Mans race, Remo Ferri's Ferri Compeizione/Ferrari of Ontario and Giacomo Mattioli's Ferrari of Silicon Valley F430GT, campaigned by Risi Competizione and driven by Marino Franchitti, Maurizio Mediani, and Anthony Lazarro retained its firm grip on second place in the tightly contested GT2 Class.

Team Managing Director Giuseppe Risi noted  that "the car is very solid, the Michelins are great, and the drivers are doing a terrific job. But we'll need a bit of a break to move to the top of the podium with only an hour or so remaining."

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30.09.2006  |  Petit Le Mans | RoadAtlanta
FERRARI IN SECOND WITH SIX HOURS GONE IN THE PETIT LE MANS

Braselton, Georgia - The clock ticks. The miles go by. And Ferrari remains solidly in second place, with the F430GT driven by Marino Franchitti, Maurizio Mediani, and Anthony Lazarro running flawlessly. Just thirty minutes later, the team suffered a time setback when it incurred a 20 second penalty for "goggles up on a crew member" who went over the wall for a pit stop when Anthony Lazarro took over and the car took on fuel and four new tires.

"We're in the hunt and the car is running great. It's a Ferrari and it's very solid. We just have to continue at a good, competitive pace", said Team Managing Director Giuseppe Risi.

The No.l 61 Ferrari F430GT is owned by Remo Ferri's  Ferri Competizione/Ferrari of Ontario and Giacomo Mattiola's Ferrari of Silicon Valley. The car is campaigned as part of the Risi Competizione team.

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30.09.2006  |  Petit Le Mans | RoadAtlanta
RISI COMPETIZIONE F430GT IN SECOND PLACE AFTER FIVE HOURS OF THE PETIT LE MANS

Braselton, Georgia - After five hours of racing at the Petit Le Mans endurance race, the remaining Ferrari F430 GT, campaigned by Risi Competizione and owned by Ferri Competizione/Ferrari of Ontario and Ferrari of Silicon Valley, has consolidated its position in second place.

The car dropped back slightly behind the leader after a pit stop for a fuel, four tires, and a fresh driver (Maurizio Mediani).  Mediani, along with Marino Franchitti and Anthony Lazarro, has driven a very smart race, staying in touch with the leaders and keeping third, fourth, and fifth places one to three laps behind.

"We're at the approximate half-way point," commented Dave Sims. "The car is very solid."

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30.09.2006  |  Petit Le Mans | RoadAtlanta
FERRARI 430GT MOVES INTO 2ND POSITION AT PETIT LE MANS. RISI COMPETIZIONE NO. 61 CLOSES GAP.

Braselton, Georgia - Risi Competizione's #61 Ferrari, the lone entry left from the two car Ferrari team, has moved into second position and is on the same lap as the leader after four hours of racing at the Petit Le Mans endurance race. The race is scheduled for 10 hours or 1000 miles, which ever comes first; projected running time of this year's race is now estimated to be approximately nine and one-half hours.

Driven by Marino Franchitti, Maurzio Mediani, and Anthony Lazarro, the #61 Ferrari has moved smoothly through the pack to reach 2nd position. At 4 hours, 10 minutes into the race, the Ferrari was only 5.9 seconds behind the leader.

"We've made up quite a bit of distance. Now we have stay in touch with the leaders and avoid mistakes." commented Team Managing Director Giuseppe Risi. "The entire team is focused on bringing home the #61 team in a good position. "

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30.09.2006  |  Petit Le Mans | RoadAtlanta
RISI COMPETIZONE FERRARI F430GT MOVES INTO THIRD POSITION AFTER THREE HOURS OF PETIT LE MANS

Braselton, Georgia - At the end of hour 1, the No. 61 Ferrari was in 10th position. Approximately 40 minutes later, the stablemate Ferrari F430GT retired after on-course incident, leaving only one Ferrari to contend with the hoard of Porsches and Panoz Esperantes left in the race. By the end of hour 2, the Number 61 Ferrari, owned by Ferri Competizione/Ferrari of Ontario and Ferrari Silicon Valley and driven by Marino Franchitti, Maurizio Mediani, and Anthony Lazarro, had moved into sixth position. hour 3 found the Red Ferrari in 3rd position.

"The car is solid and running well," said Remo Ferri. "The drivers are settled into a groove and prepared to battle to the finish. We have long way to go and we have confidence in our car, our tires, and our drivers."

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30.09.2006  |  Petit Le Mans | RoadAtlanta
RISI COMPETIZIONE FERRARI NO. 61 PULLS INTO 6th PLACE IN HOUR 2 OF PETIT LE MANS

Braselton, Georgia - The No. 61 Ferrari F430GT, entered by Risi Competizione for Ferri Competizione/Ferrari of Ontatario and Ferrari Silicon Valley, has pulled into 6th position in the second hour of the Petit Le Mans race after finishing the first hour of the 1000 miles or 10 hour (whichever comes first) endurance race on the tough, twisting, 2.54 mile course at Road Atlanta.

The Risi Competizione team suffered a setback when Ralf Kelleners, who started on the pole in GT2 and was running extremely fast, went out of the race after one hour and 38 minutes when the car went off course, spun, and back into a wall, damaging it  too severely to enable it to return to competition. An hour into the race, the Ferraris were running 1-2 in class, with No. 62 first and No. 61 second. But it was not to last as the #62 Ferrari went out early.

The team was told by Managing Director Giuseppe Risi to throw all efforts to their stablemate, the #61 Ferrari driven by Marino Franchitti, Maurizio Mediani, and Anthony Lazarro. The tech crew in the pits was given new directions regarding support and the Rosso Corso (Ferrari racing red) F430GT took off after the leaders.

Mediani had spun into the gravel earlier in the race, but got the car back on track quickly."I spun by myself. I selected the wrong gear and spun into the gravel, but we're making progressing to get back into the race", he said bluntly after the incident.

"It's a long race" commented Team Manager Dave Sims."It's important not to try and make up lost positions all at once. I am confident that with our car, our Michelin tires, and our drivers, we can close the gap."

Risi Competizione (www.risicompetizione.com) is a Houston-based Ferrari racing team lead by Managing Director Giuseppe Risi. Sponsors include Michelin, Boost/Motorola Forza2/Motorsport, LP/Italy, Putnam Leasing, Tubi Style, Boardwalk Autogroup, and AMD.

The Petit Le Mans started at 11:45AM (EST) on Saturday, and will continue for 10 hours or 1000 miles, whichever comes first. The race is being broadcast live on SPEED Channel. American Le Mans Radio's live play-by-play and IMSA Live Timing & Scoring are available at americanlemans.com

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30.09.2006  |  Petit Le Mans | RoadAtlanta
RISI COMP FERRARI 430GT NUMBER 62 RETIRED AT PETIT LE MANS. NUMBER 61 FERRARI MAINTAINING THIRD POSITION AFTER THREE HOURS

Braselton, Georgia - The Number 62 Risi Competizione Frerrari 430GT, has retired from the Petit Le Mans race after an on-course incident damaged the car. Ralf Kelleners, who had won the pole in the GT2 race and who had been leading the class earlier in the race, was in second position and gaining on first when car spun and sustained damage. “We can fix the car but not in time to get it back into the race,” said Team Manager Dave Sims. “The car was running quite well and the Michelin tires were doing a great job. We have not had a chance to debrief Ralf about the incident. He is fine and got out of the car under his own power. It is a bit of a disappointment but our Number 61 car is still running well.”

The Number 61 Ferrari F430GT, a Ferrari of Ontario/Ferrari Silicon Valley entry from Ferri Competizione is running under the Risi Competizione banner and is in third place in class. Early in the opening stages of the race, the car spun out but the team has worked its way quickly back into contention. For the Petit Le Mans, the car is being driven by Marino Franchitti, Maurzio Mediani, and Risi Competizione veteran Anthony Lazarro.

Risi Competizione is a Houston-based Ferrari racing team lead by Managing Director Giuseppe Risi. Sponsors include Michelin, Boost/Motorola Forza2/Motorsport , LP/Italy, Putnam Leasing, Tubi Style, Boardwalk Autogroup and AMD.

The Petit Le Mans started at 11:45AM (EST) on Saturday, and will continue for 10 hours or 1000 miles, whichever comes first. The race is being broadcast live on SPEED Channel. American Le Mans Radio's live play-by-play and IMSA Live Timing & Scoring are available at americanlemans.com

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29.09.2006  |  Petit Le Mans | RoadAtlanta
RISI COMPETIZIONE FERRARI F430GTs ON POLE FOR PETIT LE MANS ALMS RACE.

Braselton, Georgia - Risi Competizione Ferrari F430GTs take the pole positions at the Petit Le Mans ALMS race at RoadAtlanta with the number 62 Ferrari piloted by Ralf Kellenrs, Stephane Ortelli and Markus Palttala on the pole and the number 61 Ferrari driven by Anthony Lazarro, Maurizio Mediani and Marino Franchitti in third.

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29.09.2006  |  Petit Le Mans | RoadAtlanta
QUICK PRACTICE TIMES POSTED IN PETIT LE MANS NIGHT PRACTICE & FRIDAY MORNING PRACTICE

Braselton, Georgia - Risi Competizione’s two Ferrari F430GTs posted good times in the Thursday night and Friday morning practice sessions held at Road Atlanta, site of Saturday’s Petit Le Mans, a 10 hour/1000 mile (whichever comes first) endurance race that is the 9th American Le Mans Series race of the 2006 season.

In the Thursday night practice, the Number 61 Ferrari 430GT (Anthony Lazarro, Merino Franchitti, Maurizio Mediani), owned by Ferrari of Ontario and Ferrari Silicon Valley, was fastest with a 1.23.928 time; the Number 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 430GT (Stephane Ortelli, Ralf Kellleners, Markus Palttala) was third fastest in the night session with a 1:24.106 time. The evening practice session started under cooling conditions (air temperature 71 degrees; track temperature 73 degrees) on a track that had not fully dried out from the afternoon’s massive thunderstorm that rolled over the Road Atlanta facility at approximately 5:30PM.

“Everything went as expected during the night practice” said Team Manager Dave Sims. “We had a chance to get all of the drivers onto the track at night in the car and try some different setups. Things are moving in the right direction and the cars are running well. Michelin have done a good job with the tires and we look forward to a great race.”

On Friday Morning, at 9:30AM, the cars rolled onto the track again for another practice session, under clear skies and cool temperatures, the two F430GTs repeated the previous night’s results in reverse, with the Ortelli/ Kelleners/ Palttala Number 62 clocking 1.22.153 for fastest in the session and the Lazarro/Franchitti/Mediani Number 61 Ferrari F430GT turning in a best time of 1.22.693, for third fastest in the session.

“The boys are showing some good, consistent speed” commented Dave Sims. “We are very positive about the results so far.”

Risi Competizione is a Houston-based Ferrari racing team lead by Managing Director Giuseppe Risi. Sponsors include Michelin, Boost/Motorola Forza2/Motorsport , LP/Italy, Putnam Leasing, Tubi Style, Boardwalk Autogroup and AMD.

The Petite Le Mans starts at 11:45AM on Saturday, and runs for 10 hours or 1000 miles, whichever comes first. The race will be broadcast live on SPEED Channel. American Le Mans Radio's live play-by-play and IMSA Live Timing & Scoring will be available at americanlemans.com.

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29.09.2006  |  Petit Le Mans | RoadAtlanta
RISI COMPETIZIONE FINALIZES DRIVER LINEUP FOR PETIT LE MANS: RALF KELLENERS, STEPHANE ORTELLI, JOINED BY MARKUS PALTTALA

Braselton, Georgia - Risi Competizione, whose cars have won three of eight American Le Mans Series races this year, announced final driver pairings for the Petit Le Mans race to be held on Saturday, September 30th, at the challenging 2.54 mile Road Atlanta race track. Drivers for the number 62 Ferrari 430GT for Risi Competizione will be long-time team driver Ralf Kelleners, Stephan Ortelli, who joined the team at Road America, and new driver Markus Palttala from Finland. “This is a very cohesive and very professional group of drivers. Ralf has run with us for years and this year he helped the team to a podium at Sebring. He’s quick and he knows to how to finish a long distance race like the Petit Le Mans, “ said Team Manager Dave Sims. “Stephan Ortelli is the current all-time points leader in FIA-GT racing. He first drove for us at Road America and then won the next ALMS race, driving with Johnny Mowlem, at Mosport. Markus Palttala is a bright young talent with a lot of impressive results. This year, he’s got 3 wins, 1 pole, and 3 fastest laps in the FFSA GT Championship; he was also second overall in the 12 hours of Spa in a BMW. Overall, we’ve got great experience and balance in our drivers.”

Driving for the Number 61 Ferrari 430GT, owned by Ferrari of Ontario and Ferrari Silicon Valley, and entered through Risi Competizione will be Anthony Lazarro (another long-time Risi Competizione driver); Maurzio Mediani and Marino Franchitti. This team, although new to the ALMS series, has been on the pole at Lime Rock (retired, on-course incident) and took second in the historic 1-2 finish for Ferrari at the Grand Prix of Mosport.

For Risi Competizione, the new driver lineup will be the 6th different lineup in nine races for the 2006 American Le Mans Series season. “We have had quite a season so far” commented Giuseppe Risi, Managing Director of Risi Competizione, “ The car has performed beautifully all season as have the Michelin tires. Our drivers have continued to deliver for us race after race even though our drive lineup is constantly shifting because of prior commitments. But the core of the team has remained very solid and we are greatly appreciative of the efforts of all the drivers who taken the track for us this year. It is a true testimony about teamwork to see the results we have achieved through both good and difficult times.”

Thus far this season, Risi Competizione has taken firsts at Salt Lake City, Portland, and Mosport; a third at Sebring and Houston, five poles and five fastest laps. Jaime Melo, the extraordinarily fast young Brazilian has set the lap record in four ALMS races and Finnish driver Toni Vilander set the lap record in one race.

Risi Competizione has a long history with the Petit Le Mans, winning the very first race in 1998 running the mid-engine, 12 cylinder Ferrari 333SP, the last Ferrari purpose-built prototype sports car. Eric van De Poele, Wayne Taylor, and Emmanuel Collard drove the Rosso Corso Ferrari 333SP 391 laps over the twisty, 12 turn Road America circuit, completing 1000.96 miles in 8:46:24:34, a record which still stands. “Our team has a deep appreciation and respect for this race,” said Giuseppe Risi. ”We started the season off with a very good run at Sebring and we’re expecting a very good effort for the Petit Le Mans. The fans should love this one, because the GT2 class has provided such tight racing all year.”

Risi Competizione is a Houston-based Ferrari racing team lead by Managing Director Giuseppe Risi. Sponsors include Michelin, Boost/Motorola Forza2/Motorsport , LP/Italy, Putnam Leasing, Tubi Style, Boardwalk Autogroup and AMD.

The Petit Le Mans starts at 11:45AM on Saturday, and runs for 10 hours or 1000 miles, which ever comes first. The race will be broadcast live on SPEED Channel, American Le Mans Radio's live play-by-play and IMSA Live Timing & Scoring will be available at americanlemans.com.

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