2001 FIA Sportscar Championship

The 2001 FIA Sportscar Championship was the inaugural season of FIA Sportscar Championship,[1] an auto racing series regulated by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile and organized by International Racing Series Ltd. The series was a continuation of the previous SportsRacing World Cup dating back to 1997. It was open to two categories of sports prototypes, SR1 and SR2, and awarded championships to drivers and teams in each category. A championship for constructors was also established for this season. It began on 8 April 2001 and ended on 16 September 2001 after eight races.

Italian Marco Zadra won the SR1 drivers' championship, while his BMS Scuderia Italia Ferrari secured the teams' and constructors' titles. The SR2 class was led by American Larry Oberto and Swede Thed Björk who drove for SportsRacing Team Sweden. Lola won the constructors' championship in SR2.

Schedule

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Despite still sharing regulations with the American Grand Am Road Racing Series, the American series no longer counted toward the new FIA championship. Kyalami also did not return, leaving the calendar strictly European. Catalunya, Monza, Spa, Brno, Donington, Magny-Cours, and the Nürburgring were all carried over from the previous season, joined by the Irish Mondello Park. Monza replaced its former World Cup race with the traditional 1000 km race, adding an endurance event to the calendar. All other races were limited to 2 hours and 30 minutes of duration.

Rnd Race Circuit Date
1 FIA Sportscar Championship Barcelona   Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló, Spain 8 April
2 1000 km di Monza   Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza, Italy 22 April
3 R.M.U. Classic   Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot, Belgium 13 May
4 Mistrovství FIA Sportovních Vozů   Autodrom Brno, Brno, Czech Republic 1 July
5 FIA Sportscar Championship Magny-Cours   Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Magny-Cours, France 29 July
6 August Bank Holiday Grand Prix   Donington Park, North West Leicestershire, United Kingdom 26 August
7 FIA Sportscar Championship Mondello   Mondello Park, Caragh, Ireland 1 September
8 DMC/ADAC Sportwagen-Festival Nürburgring   Nürburgring, Nürburg, Germany 16 September

Entries

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Entrant Car Engine Tyre No. Drivers Rounds
  BMS Scuderia Italia Ferrari 333 SP Ferrari F310E 4.0 L V12 G 1   Marco Zadra All
  Christian Pescatori 1–2, 5, 7–8
  Jean-Marc Gounon 3–4, 6
2   Angelo Zadra All
  Enzo Calderari All
  Lilian Bryner All
  Marco Zadra 2
  GLV Brums Ferrari 333 SP Ferrari F310E 4.0 L V12
Judd GV4 4.0 L V10
G 3   Giovanni Lavaggi 1–6, 8
  Christian Vann 1–6
  Bob Berridge 8
  Xavier Pompidou 8
  Den Bla Avis/Team Goh Dome S101 Judd GV4 4.0 L V10 G 5   John Nielsen All
  Hiroki Katoh All
  R&M Riley & Scott Mk III Judd GV4 4.0 L V10 G 6   Mauro Baldi All
  Gary Formato 1
  Ivan Capelli 2
  Alex Caffi 3–8
  Redman Bright Reynard 01Q Judd GV4 4.0 L V10 A 7   Mark Smithson 1–3, 5–6, 8
  Peter Owen 1–3, 5–6, 8
  Guy Smith 2
  Racing for Holland Dome S101 Judd GV4 4.0 L V10 A
G
8   Jan Lammers All
  Val Hillebrand All
  Kremer Racing Lola B98/10 Ford 6.0 L V8 G 10   Sam Hancock All
  Ralf Kelleners 1
  Didier de Radiguès 2–3
  Gary Formato 2, 4
  Jean-Marc Gounon 5, 7–8
  Robbie Stirling 6
  Konrad Motorsport Lola B2K/10 Ford 6.0 L V8 D 15   Franz Konrad 8
  Ralf Kelleners 8
  Pescarolo Sport Courage C60 Peugeot A32 3.2 L Turbo V6 G 16   Jean-Christophe Boullion 1–2, 5, 8
  Sébastien Bourdais 1–2
  Laurent Redon 2, 5
  Boris Derichebourg 8
  Team Ascari Ascari A410 Judd GV4 4.0 L V10 G 17   Ben Collins All
  Werner Lupberger All
  Team Durango GMS Durango LMP1 BMW 4.0 L V8 G 21   Andrea de Lorenzi 5
  Soheil Ayari 5
  Conrero Riley & Scott Mk III Ford 4.0 L V8 G 25   Alex Caffi 2
  Angelo Lancelotti 2
  Andrea Chiesa 2
Entrant Car Engine Tyre No. Drivers Rounds
  Lucchini Engineering Lucchini SR2001 Alfa Romeo 3.0 L V6 P 50   Raffaele Raimondi 1–4
  Filippo Francioni 1–4
  Pierguiseppe Peroni 1–2
Lucchini SR2000 51   Denny Zardo 1–7
  Mauro Prospero 1–7
Lucchini SR2001 52   Pierguiseppe Peroni 3–8
  Jean-Bernard Bouvet 3–5
  Sébastien Ugeux 6–7
  Raffaele Raimondi 8
  Siliprandi Lucchini SR2-99 Alfa Romeo 3.0 L V6 A 53   Pasquale Barberio 2, 8
  Ezio Mazza 2, 8
  Renauer Motorsport Tampolli SR2 RTA-2001 Alfa Romeo 3.0 L V6 A 55   Manfred Jurasz 1, 3
  Gottfried Cepin 1, 4, 8
  Hannes Gsell 3–5, 8
  Martin Henderson 3, 8
  Wolfgang Griessner 4
  Wolfgang Kaufmann 5
  Norbert Groer 5
  EBRT Schroder Motorsport Pilbeam MP84 Nissan 3.0 L V6 D 58   Ian Khan 1–2
  Martin Henderson 1–2
  Mark Peters 1
  Pierre Merche 2
  BM Autosport Tampolli SR2 RTA-99 Alfa Romeo 3.0 L V6 P 59   Massimo Monti 1–6
  Renato Nobili 1–6
  Rowan Racing Pilbeam MP84 Nissan 3.0 L V6 A 61   Warren Carway 1, 3–8
  Martin O'Connell 1, 3–8
  Audisio & Benvenuto Racing Lucchini SR2-99 Alfa Romeo 3.0 L V6 A 65   Giuseppe Chiminelli 2, 4, 8
  Bruno Corradi 2
  Antonio Vallebona 2
  Ernesto Saccomanno 4
  Ivano Giuliani 8
Lucchini SR2001 G 66   Roberto Tonetti 1–6, 8
  Massimo Saccomanno 1–6, 8
  Swara Racing Tampolli SR2 RTA-2001 Nissan 3.0 L V6 A 68   Michael Mallock 4–6, 8
  Simon Wiseman 4
  Phil Andrews 5–6, 8
Pilbeam MP84 69   Simon Wiseman 1–3, 8
  Ben McLoughlin 1–2
  Heinrich Langfermann 1
  Michael Mallock 2–3
  "Frederico Careca" 8
  SCI Lucchini SR2000 Alfa Romeo 3.0 L V6 G 72   Ranieri Randaccio All
  Pasquale Barberio 1
  Leonardo Maddalena 2–8
  Team Sovereign Rapier 6 Nissan 3.0 L V6 D 75   Ian Flux 1, 3, 5–6, 8
  Mike Millard 1, 3, 5–6, 8
  SportsRacing Team Sweden Lola B2K/40 Nissan 3.0 L V6 A 76   Thed Björk All
  Larry Oberto All
  Stanley Dickens 2
  Earl Goddard 3
  Damien Faulkner 7
  Redman Bright Pilbeam MP84 Nissan 3.0 L V6 A 77   Piers Johnson 6
  Oli Wilkinson 6
  PiR Competition Debora LMP299 BMW 3.0 L I6 A 99   Marc Rostan All
  Pierre Bruneau 1–6, 8
  Arturo Merzario 1–4
  Ludovico Manfredi 5–6
  Arnie Black 7

Results and standings

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Race results

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Rnd Circuit SR1 Winning Team SR2 Winning Team Reports
SR1 Winning Drivers SR2 Winning Drivers
1 Barcelona   No. 1 BMS Scuderia Italia   No. 61 Rowan Racing Report
  Christian Pescatori
  Marco Zadra
  Warren Carway
  Martin O'Connell
2 Monza   No. 3 GLV Brums   No. 76 SportsRacing Team Sweden Report
  Christian Vann
  Giovanni Lavaggi
  Larry Oberto
  Thed Björk
3 Spa   No. 1 BMS Scuderia Italia   No. 59 BM Autosport Report
  Jean-Marc Gounon
  Marco Zadra
  Massimo Monti
  Renato Nobili
4 Brno   No. 5 Den Bla Avis/Team Goh   No. 76 SportsRacing Team Sweden Report
  John Nielsen
  Hiroki Katoh
  Larry Oberto
  Thed Björk
5 Magny-Cours   No. 16 Pescarolo Sport   No. 61 Rowan Racing Report
  Jean-Christophe Boullion
  Laurent Rédon
  Warren Carway
  Martin O'Connell
6 Donington   No. 17 Team Ascari   No. 61 Rowan Racing Report
  Ben Collins
  Werner Lupberger
  Warren Carway
  Martin O'Connell
7 Mondello   No. 5 Den Bla Avis/Team Goh   No. 76 SportsRacing Team Sweden Report
  John Nielsen
  Hiroki Katoh
  Damien Faulkner
  Larry Oberto
  Thed Björk
8 Nürburgring   No. 8 Racing for Holland   No. 76 SportsRacing Team Sweden Report
  Jan Lammers
  Val Hillebrand
  Larry Oberto
  Thed Björk

Points were awarded to the top eight finishers in each category. Entries were required to complete 60% of the race distance in order to be classified as a finisher and earn points. Drivers were required to complete 20% of the total race distance for their car to earn points. Teams scored points for only their highest finishing entry.[2]

Points system
Event 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th
Races 20 15 12 10 8 6 4 3 2 1

Drivers championships

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Marco Zadra won the SR1 Drivers title at the wheel of a Ferrari 333 SP entered by BMS Scuderia Italia.

Pos. Driver Team BAR
 
MON
 
SPA
 
BRN
 
MAG
 
DON
 
MON
 
NUR
 
Total
points
1   Marco Zadra   BMS Scuderia Italia 1 Ret 1 2 2 2 2 4 110
2   John Nielsen   Den Bla Avis/Team Goh 4 Ret 6 1 3 5 1 3 88
2   Hiroki Katoh   Den Bla Avis/Team Goh 4 Ret 6 1 3 5 1 3 88
4   Jan Lammers   Racing for Holland Ret 3 3 5 6 3 3 1 82
4   Val Hillebrand   Racing for Holland Ret 3 3 5 6 3 3 1 82
6   Ben Collins   Team Ascari Ret 2 4 4 4 1 6 DSQ 71
6   Werner Lupberger   Team Ascari Ret 2 4 4 4 1 6 DSQ 71
8   Christian Pescatori   BMS Scuderia Italia 1 Ret 2 2 4 60
9   Lilian Bryner   BMS Scuderia Italia 2 Ret 2 7 5 Ret 5 Ret 50
9   Enzo Calderari   BMS Scuderia Italia 2 Ret 2 7 5 Ret 5 Ret 50
9   Angelo Zadra   BMS Scuderia Italia 2 Ret 2 7 5 Ret 5 Ret 50
9   Jean-Marc Gounon   BMS Scuderia Italia 1 2 2 50
  Kremer Racing Ret Ret Ret
13   Mauro Baldi   R&M 3 Ret Ret 3 8 7 4 Ret 41
14   Jean-Christophe Boullion   Pescarolo Sport Ret Ret 1 2 35
15   Alex Caffi   Conrero DNS 29
  R&M Ret 3 8 7 4 Ret
16   Giovanni Lavaggi   GLV Brums Ret 1 5 Ret Ret Ret Ret 28
16   Christian Vann   GLV Brums Ret 1 5 Ret Ret Ret 28
18   Laurent Redon   Pescarolo Sport Ret 1 20
19   Peter Owen   Redman Bright Ret 4 Ret 7 6 Ret 20
19   Mark Smithson   Redman Bright Ret 4 Ret 7 6 Ret 20
21   Gary Formato   R&M 3 18
  Kremer Racing Ret 6
22   Sam Hancock   Kremer Racing Ret Ret Ret 6 Ret 4 Ret Ret 16
23   Boris Derichebourg   Pescarolo Sport 2 15
24   Guy Smith   Redman Bright 4 10
24   Robbie Stirling   Kremer Racing 4 10
Colour Result
Gold Winner
Silver Second place
Bronze Third place
Green Points finish
Blue Non-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
Purple Retired (Ret)
Red Did not qualify (DNQ)
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
Black Disqualified (DSQ)
White Did not start (DNS)
Withdrew (WD)
Race cancelled (C)
Blank Did not practice (DNP)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Excluded (EX)

The SR2 Drivers award went to Thed Björk and Larry Oberto who shared a Lola B2K/40-Nissan entered by SportsRacing Team Sweden.

Pos. Driver Team BAR
 
MON
 
SPA
 
BRN
 
MAG
 
DON
 
MON
 
NUR
 
Total
points
1   Thed Björk   SportsRacing Team Sweden 2 1 5 1 DSQ 2 1 1 118
1   Larry Oberto   SportsRacing Team Sweden 2 1 5 1 DSQ 2 1 1 118
3   Warren Carway   Rowan Racing 1 Ret 5 1 1 2 Ret 83
3   Martin O'Connell   Rowan Racing 1 Ret 5 1 1 2 Ret 83
5   Pierguiseppe Peroni   Lucchini Engineering 8 Ret 2 2 Ret Ret 3 3 57
6   Massimo Saccomanno   Audisio & Benvenuto Racing 3 NC 4 3 Ret 5 2 57
6   Roberto Tonetti   Audisio & Benvenuto Racing 3 NC 4 3 Ret 5 2 57
8   Massimo Monti   BM Autosport 4 Ret 1 Ret 3 Ret 42
8   Renato Nobili   BM Autosport 4 Ret 1 Ret 3 Ret 42
10   Marc Rostan   PiR Competition 7 Ret 7 7 Ret 4 4 6 38
11   Ranieri Randaccio   SCI 9 Ret 8 4 Ret 6 Ret 4 31
12   Mauro Prospero   Lucchini Engineering DNS 2 Ret Ret 2 Ret Ret 30
12   Denny Zardo   Lucchini Engineering DNS 2 Ret Ret 2 Ret Ret 30
12   Jean-Bernard Bouvet   Lucchini Engineering 2 2 Ret 30
15   Leonardo Maddalena   SCI Ret 8 4 Ret 6 Ret 4 29
16   Pierre Bruneau   PiR Competition 7 Ret 7 7 Ret 4 6 28
17   Raffaele Raimondi   Lucchini Engineering 8 Ret 3 DSQ 3 27
18   Ian Flux   Team Sovereign 5 DNS Ret 3 7 24
18   Mike Millard   Team Sovereign 5 DNS Ret 3 7 24
20   Martin Henderson   EBRT Schroeder Motorsport DNS 4 24
  Renauer Motorsport 6 5
21   Damien Faulkner   SportsRacing Team Sweden 1 20
22   Hannes Gsell   Renauer Motorsport 6 6 Ret 5 20
23   Filippo Francioni   Lucchini Engineering 8 Ret 3 DSQ 15
24   Pasquale Barberio   SCI 9 14
  Siliprandi 3 Ret
25   Gottfried Cepin   Renauer Motorsport DNS 6 5 14
26   Ezio Mazza   Siliprandi 3 Ret 12
26   Sébastien Ugeux   Lucchini Engineering Ret 3 12
28   Arturo Merzario   PiR Competition 7 Ret 7 7 12
29   Ian Khan   EBRT Schroeder Motorsport DNS 4 10
29   Pierre Merche   EBRT Schroeder Motorsport 4 10
29   Ludovico Manfredi   PiR Competition Ret 4 10
29   Arnie Black   PiR Competition 4 10
33   Simon Wiseman   Swara Racing 6 Ret Ret Ret 8 9
34   Earl Goddard   SportsRacing Team Sweden 5 8
35   Ben McLoughlin   Swara Racing 6 Ret 6
35   Heinrich Langfermann   Swara Racing 6 6
35   Wolfgang Griessner   Renauer Motorsport 6 6
38   Piers Johnson   Redman Bright 7 4
38   Oli Wilkinson   Redman Bright 7 4
40   "Frederico Careca"   Swara Racing 8 3

Teams championships

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Pos. Team BAR
 
MON
 
SPA
 
BRN
 
MAG
 
DON
 
MON
 
NUR
 
Total
points
1   BMS Scuderia Italia 1 Ret 1 2 2 2 2 4 110
2   Den Bla Avis/Team Goh 4 Ret 6 1 3 5 1 3 88
3   Racing for Holland Ret 3 3 5 6 3 3 1 82
4   Team Ascari Ret 2 4 4 4 1 6 DSQ 71
5   R&M 3 Ret Ret 3 8 7 4 Ret 41
6   Pescarolo Sport Ret Ret 1 2 35
7   GLV Brums Ret 1 5 Ret Ret Ret Ret 28
8   Redman Bright Ret 4 Ret 7 6 Ret 20
9   Kremer Racing Ret Ret Ret 6 Ret 4 Ret Ret 16
Pos. Team BAR
 
MON
 
SPA
 
BRN
 
MAG
 
DON
 
MON
 
NUR
 
Total
points
1   SportsRacing Team Sweden 2 1 5 1 DSQ 2 1 1 118
2   Lucchini Engineering 8 2 2 2 2 Ret 3 3 87
3   Rowan Racing 1 Ret 5 1 1 2 Ret 83
4   Audisio & Benvenuto Racing 3 NC 4 3 Ret 5 2 57
5   BM Autosport 4 Ret 1 Ret 3 Ret 42
6   PiR Competition 7 Ret 7 7 Ret 4 4 6 38
7   SCI 9 Ret 8 4 Ret 6 Ret 4 31
8   Team Sovereign 5 DNS Ret 3 7 24
9   Renauer Motorsport DNS 6 6 Ret 5 20
10   Siliprandi 3 Ret 12
11   EBRT Schroder Motorsport DNS 4 10
12   Swara Racing 6 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 8 9
13   Redman Bright 7 4

Constructor championships

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Ferrari won the SR1 Constructors title.

Pos. Constructor BAR
 
MON
 
SPA
 
BRN
 
MAG
 
DON
 
MON
 
NUR
 
Total
points
1   Ferrari 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 4 130
2   Dome 4 3 3 1 3 3 1 1 118
3   Ascari Ret 2 4 4 4 1 6 DSQ 71
4   Riley & Scott 3 Ret Ret 3 8 7 4 Ret 41
5   Courage Ret Ret 1 2 35
6   Reynard Ret 4 Ret 7 6 Ret 20
7   Lola Ret Ret Ret 6 Ret 4 Ret Ret 16

The SR2 Constructors award went to Lola Cars International.

Pos. Constructor BAR
 
MON
 
SPA
 
BRN
 
MAG
 
DON
 
MON
 
NUR
 
Total
points
1   Lola 2 1 5 1 DSQ 2 1 1 118
2   Lucchini 3 2 2 2 2 5 3 2 107
3   Pilbeam 1 4 Ret 5 1 1 2 8 96
4   Tampolli 4 Ret 1 6 3 Ret 5 56
5   Debora 7 Ret 7 7 Ret 4 4 6 38
6   LM 3000 (Rapier) 5 DNS Ret 3 7 24

References

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  1. ^ FIA Sportscar Championship History - 2001 Retrieved from web.archive.org on 1 September 2009
  2. ^ 2002 Sporting Regulations Retrieved from web.archive.org on 23 December 2008
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