Seven More GT3s For GT Open At Monza

This weekend’s Monza round fo the International GT Open is set to see a significant boost to GT3 numbers.

In addition to the second Reno Racing Honda NSX GT3 Evo confirmed yesterday here are details of a further six additions to the entry for the Series’ Italian round.

2 Seas AMG

The Monza round will see the GT Open debut of 2 Seas Motorsport, the British-Bahraini squad making its European mainland debut by entering a Mercedes AMG entrusted to young Canadian Ethan Simioni and GT Open returnee Martin Kodrić. The Croatian was a title contender in 2018, taking one win on his way to a final P3 in the overall standings.

The race will mark the team’s second outing with the AMG brand after a one-off appearance in the British GT Championship last month.

Ontario-born Ethan Simioni switched directly from karting to GT racing, winning the Canadian Touring GT title in 2018 and shining the year after in the GT3 Cup Challenge Canada.

“I cannot wait to race at Monza. It is a great way to mark my European race debut, at one of the most iconic circuits, and really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve over the weekend. The series is extremely competitive and has seen some really close battles already this season, so it is definitely going to be a big challenge, but I am ready for the challenge.”

Sh. Isa Al Khalifa, team co-owner, 2 Seas Motorsport, added: “The plan for 2021 was always to select specific events as we build up knowledge and experience with the Mercedes-AMG, while looking at the options available in terms of championships and work with different drivers. We have enjoyed strong results in the events we have taken part in so far, and really looking forward to this next challenge competing at Monza. It is one of the proper old school circuits, which always delivers great racing, and the International GT Open championship has an increasingly strong grid of teams and drivers, so it will be a great weekend to be involved with. The season has provided some great racing so far, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can achieve with the exciting line up we have in Ethan and Martin.”

VSR Add Third Huracan

There will be a third Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo entered by Vincenzo Sospiri Racing for their home race at Monza. The Italian team has enjoyed great success so far this season, as Frederik Schandorff-Michele Beretta lead the overall standings after taking four race wins, and Yuki Nemoto-Baptiste Moulin stand third.

At Monza, the third car will be entrusted to a pair of past GT Open Champions: Federico Leo and Giacomo Altoè. Leo was crowned in 2012, together with Gimmi Bruni at the wheel of an AF Corse Ferrari, while Altoè conquered the top honours in 2019 together with Albert Costa in an Emil Frey Racing Lambo.

Leipert Add Lambo Too

Leipert Motorsport returns to the the GT Open at Monza with the teams’ first appearance in the Series for 8 years.

At the wheel of their Lamborghini Huracan will be two new faces in the GT Open: New-Zealander Brendon Leitch, who has both GT and single-seater experience at international level, and US’s Tyler Cooke , who has mostly raced in IMSA-sanctioned series.

Kessel and Rinaldi Add Ferraris

Monza will mark the second appearance of this season in the GT Open for Kessel Racing, the Swiss team have also confirmed participation in the Barcelona season finale.

Monza will see the tem enter a pair of Ferrari 488 GT3s.

The first will be entrusted to US driver Michael Dinan, who will race alone, and will contest his third GT Open round, having already driven for Kessel at the Hungaroring and TF Sport at Spa.

In the second car will be a gentleman driver to be confirmed and Zimbabwean Pro driver Axcil Jefferies.

Rinaldi Racing will also enter a Ferrari 488 at Monza. Its last participation in the series took place in 2018.

The car will be entrusted to Benja Hites, a 22-year-old Chilean driver, and Fabrizio Crestani, a GT Open Champion in 2016, the Italian has three overall race wins to his credit.

Nova Race Confirm Honda

As noted yesterday on DSC, there will be a third Honda NSX GT3 Evo on track at Monza this weekend: besides the two cars entered by Reno Racing, Nova Race Event will field a NSX for gentlemen-drivers Luca Magnoni and Alberto Lippi.

The squad runs a pair of Honda NSX in the Italian GT Championship and has recently taken its maiden Endurance win at Imola.

An Italian GT4 Champion in 2018, Luca Magnoni is also the team principal of Nova Race Event and will share the wheel with Alberto Lippi, the Italian GT Light Champion in 2019.

Team Manager Nicola Sinigaglia commented: “We are very happy to make our debut in the GT Open at Monza, a track where our car has a high potential and we are confident in a good result.”

The post Seven More GT3s For GT Open At Monza first appeared on dailysportscar.com.