| 2007 International GT Open | |||
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The 2007 International GT Open season was the second season of the International GT Open, the grand tourer-style sports car racing founded in 2006 by the Spanish GT Sport Organización. It began on 21 April at ACI Vallelunga Circuit and finished on 11 November, at Barcelona after six double-header meetings with one single race round.
The International GT Open is a grand tourer-style sports car racing series founded in 2006 by the Spanish GT Sport Organización. It is a spin-off of the Spanish GT Championship, and uses a similar format, except its races are held internationally.
A grand tourer (GT) is a performance and luxury automobile capable of high speed and long-distance driving. The most common format is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-door coupé with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement. The term derives from the Italian language phrase gran turismo which became popular in the English language from the 1950s, evolving from fast touring cars and streamlined closed sports cars during the 1930s.
Sports car racing is a form of motorsport road racing which utilizes sports cars that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built (Prototype) or related to road-going models.
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Overall championship was won by Autorlando drivers Joël Camathias and Richard Lietz, GTA class was won by Scuderia Playteam SaraFree drivers Michele Maceratesi and Andrea Montermini, while GTS class title was clinched by Riccardo Romagnoli. [1] [2] [3]
Joël Camathias is a Swiss race car driver born in Lugano. In 2001 he raced in the International Formula 3000 championship and in 2002 in the European F3000 series. In 2003 he made 7 starts in the American Champ Car series for Dale Coyne Racing, his best finish a 9th in his debut at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Having previously driven sports cars part-time, he then returned to Europe to drive in the Le Mans Series in 2004 and the FIA GT Championship in 2005 and 2006. He also won the GT2 Class of the 2006 Le Mans Series season with Marc Lieb driving a Porsche 911 for Autorlando Sport.
Richard Lietz is an Austrian professional racing driver. He has competed in such series as American Le Mans Series, Formula 3 Euro Series and the Rolex Sports Car Series. He is also a multiple race-winner in Porsche Supercup. Lietz was overall series champion in the 2007 International GT Open season with Swiss driver Joël Camathias. He has won the GT2 class of the Le Mans Series twice, alongside German driver Marc Lieb in both in the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
Scuderia Playteam was an Italian racing team owned by Giambattista Giannoccaro.
