motor

a007apl · 10-21-2003, 06:35 PM

Lambo: We need speed

Lamborghini made their official return to professional motor racing at Monza on Friday when Reiter Engineering unveiled the Murcielago R-GT to the FIA GT championship. Le Mans winners Tom Kristensen and Dindo Capello have been given the task of debuting the car.

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The beautiful sounding black machine rolled out of the garages on Friday morning to the attention of a large number of photographers and admirers, but by the end of first practice, the speed of the Murcielago R-GT was a long way from matching its beauty.

With tops speeds being clocked at over 20kmh down on the front running Ferraris, Saleens and Listers, the Murcielago ended the sessions down in 18th position, over 6 seconds adrift of the leading Viper of Force One Racing.

"The program began over a year ago due to demand," said marketing director Fitzgerald, "but Audi and Volkwagon only gave the green light in late July so we haven't had a lot of time to develop the car. We have had a few problems, such as speed, but the reliability is there and I just wish that we could give these great drivers a better car."

Four-time Le Mans winner Kristensen and Capello, winner of his first classic last year, also said that the car lacked top speed.

"We tested the car at Vallelunga first but had many problems but then we went to Zeltweg and completed 500km," said Capello, "so the reliability is better but we are definitely lacking top speed."

Kristensen agreed: "It was my first time in the car this morning and I like it," he said. "The engine needs to be improved, the acceleration could be better and the tope speed, but it is very good through the corners but becomes unstable on the kerbs.

"The GT championship is very strong, very competitive, but I think that this car could be quick next year."

Watch the FIA GT Race LIVE on Eurosport TV from 11:20 CET on Sunday where you'll be able to catch a glimpse of the all-new Lambroghini Murcielago.

a007apl · 10-22-2003, 02:39 PM

Monza Proves Murciélago R-GT Potential

The Murciélago R-GT concluded its Monza debut following the morning qualifying session. The car ran in competitive conditions for the first time in yesterday's two 90-minute FIA GT practice sessions, and again today in the 45-minute qualifying session.

The three outings have provided development team Reiter Engineering, and drivers Rinaldo Capello and Tom Kristensen, with the opportunity to further test the car on the fast straights offered by the Monza circuit.

"The practice and qualifying sessions have afforded us an excellent opportunity to put the car through its paces," said Lamborghini's Marketing Manager Manfred Fitzgerald. "The testing programme undertaken over the last three weeks at Vallelunga and A1-Ring circuits has proven the car's handling abilities. At Monza we have had the opportunity to demonstrate the R-GT's reliability as well as improve further on its agility, although the nature of Monza, as a high-speed circuit, has shown that our focus must now be placed on gaining top end speed.

"The lack of speed seen in practice was as a result of an engine problem that is difficult to rectify trackside and, although we changed the engine overnight on Friday, to continue further would simply cause further unnecessary engine damage. In this respect, it is right that we conclude our weekend at this point although, of course, it is disappointing that we cannot compete tomorrow. We have already identified the areas that require work and we will address these on the team's return to Reiter Engineering.

"We have gained extremely valuable data from this weekend at Monza, which was our objective in coming to this fast circuit. The opportunity to attend, provided by the FIA, allowed us to obtain the team and driver feedback we are looking for at this stage of the development programme. It was especially useful to have both Capello and Kristensen in the car over two days."

The Murciélago R-GT will be raced by customers in FIA GT and ACO-governed series, commencing 2004. The car, together with a team support programme, has been designed to provide an exciting, but affordable, customer racing package.

stradale · 10-22-2003, 03:40 PM

I'm not sure this customer driven programme will work though. Great for the customers, but I'm afraid it might not be enough to win from the professionally run teams of Ferrari's, Listers, Vipers, Saleens and Corvettes. I hope Lamborghini takes those doubts away soon though.

Mircea · 10-23-2003, 04:41 AM

Check out this link (very interesting site):

http://gto-racing.nexenservices.com/...cielagoRGT.htm

cho_888 · 10-23-2003, 04:52 AM

Very very nice site! heaps of great pics on their good to see it for different angles

a007apl · 10-23-2003, 08:55 AM

KLD have(made) R-GT VIDEO

tekwar · 10-23-2003, 09:17 AM

what an amazing car !! thats how they should make the lambo look like....
its so freaking low, i dont think my pinky could fit in that gap. The rear wing looks perfect on that car. Are they selling a road going version? cause if they are not, they should, imagine seeing that thing in your rear view mirror, piss my pants. They should paint it though, the body looks like some cheap plastic

a007apl · 10-23-2003, 09:54 AM

Yes, Lamborghini work in GT street version, Roadster and the 40TH anniversary.

a007apl · 10-23-2003, 10:14 AM