After the Grand Prix of Brazil, held last weekend at Interlagos and that ended the 2011 season of Formula 1, seven drivers of the current grid, the more stars the Brazilian auto racing, former F1 drivers, competitors in the Indy Racing League, NASCAR, GT1, Stock Car and Trofeo Linea kick off another edition of the International Challenge of Stars, go-kart race organized by Felipe Massa in Karting Arena Sapiens in Florianópolis (SC), this weekend. The race on Saturday (3) will be broadcast live by SporTV, and Sunday (4) by Globo TV Sports Spectacular within the program.
Owner of the best evidence and in retrospect champion (two third places, a vice-championship and a title in five appearances), Lucas di Grassi fight for the championship on the track that drew alongside the Ferrari driver. "Proof is a festive, everyone knows that. But no one sees it as a joke. Inside the track, everyone wants to be first, and logical to me is no different," says Di Grassi, who this season's competition has sponsorship for Aethra, the government of Goias, Pirelli, Schioppa, youngest of tires, Eurobike and Locaweb, companies that bet on the return of media provided by the current champion of the Challenge and the fact that the event is broadcasted live by Globo at a time generally intended to evidence Formula 1 - Sunday morning.
Will be 29 riders in total, seven of the current Formula 1 grid. Of all these pilots, 17 had already passing through the main category of motorsport, whether official or as a pilot test. "It seems to GP weekend, and that is that is the coolest thing: the public appears to see disputes and good to see all these riders in action, up close, in exactly the same equipment," said Lucas, who debuted in 2010 by Virgin in F1, he won the Challenge and this year is the pilot who developed the compounds of the Pirelli for 2011 and 2012 seasons of Formula 1.
Di Grassi, however, recognizes that this year the title fight will be among more pilots. "Stars is a challenge, really. In addition, scores for both races this year will be equal, unlike last year when Saturday's race gave more points," he said. "Then the pilot will need two similar results - and excellent - to stay in the fightthe title, "he said.
Event schedule:
FRIDAY (02.dez)17.00 - Drawing of the Karts20:00 - Warm up (softening engine, 10 minutes)20:30 - 1st Free Practice (40 minutes)
SATURDAY (03.dez)16:00 - 2nd Free Practice (40 minutes)18.00 - qualifying Group 1 (15 minutes)18:30 - qualifying Group 2 (15 minutes)19:00 - Top Qualifying* 21:45 - 1st Battery Challenge (30 minutes + 1 lap)22:15 - Podium* Broadcast live on SporTV
SUNDAY (04.dez)08:30 - Warm up (15 minutes)* 11.00 - 2nd Battery Challenge (30 minutes + 1 lap)11:40 - Podium.* Live broadcast by TV Globo
