Pigoli tops Superstars practice
Max Pigoli topped the timesheets at the end of the first practice session at Kyalami on Friday afternoon for Sunday's final round of the
international Superstars Series for V8 production cars.
The 52-year-old from Porlezza, who was Superstars champion in 2006, celebrated his return to Kyalami with the fastest lap of the
half-hour session.
Pigoli (Romeo Mercedes C63) drove around the 4,2-km circuit in a time of 1 min 47,78 sec. Fellow Italian and championship leader Thomas
Biagi (Italia BMW M3) was second quickest, the 34-year-old from Bologna achieving a best lap time of 1 min 49,32 sec, 1.5 sec slower than
Pigoli. Team mate Ivan Tramontozzi, making his first appearance in Superstars, was just two tenths of a second slower than Biagi. Fourth
fastest on a sultry Highveld summer's afternoon with storm clouds threatening was Biagi's only rival for the title, Superstars rookie Luigi
Ferrara (CAAL Mercedes C63), the 28-year-old from Bari in Italy recording a best time of 1 min 49,98 sec.
All 16 cars entered for Sunday's two races, specially flown to South Africa from Italy for the second appearance of Superstars outside
Europe, were on track, including the only South African in the field, 2010 WesBank V8 Supercars champion Brandon Auby (Motorzone Chevrolet
Lumina).
Auby struggled with gear changing and a lack of traction in his first outing in the Chevrolet and recorded the 15th fastest time, 7,9 sec
off the early pace set by Pigoli.
"It's a great opportunity for me to compete in Superstars this weekend and I'm sure by the time we've completed tomorrow's second
free practice, we'll be more competitive," he said.
Team-mate, ex-Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert, also struggled in his first appearance at Kyalami since 1993, when he drove a Lotus in the
South African Grand Prix. The 46-year-old Englishman was just one place better than Auby in 14th place.
Saturday's second free practice for Superstars is at 11.00, with official qualifying at 15.00. Sunday's races, held over 25 minutes plus
one lap, are at 11.45 and 15.15.