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FIA: Ferrari homologates the F50 - New models in sight

25 February 1999

The 1999 FIA GT Championship grid should see some extra variety this season. Three manufacturers have asked the FIA for the homologation of new models : Ferrari, for the F50, Marcos, for the Mantara LM 600 and Lister for the Storm. The homologation process should be completed by April 1st.

At long last, the Ferrari F50 should soon be making its FIA GT Championship debut. Restricted to private teams, this car, with a V-12 engine, is already much in demand. First Racing, the team owned by Fabien Giroix and Jean-Denis Deletraz, hopes to enter three cars. Many other teams have shown great interest in the project.

A Marcos Mantara LM 600 will be entered from the first race by the Dutch team Marcos Racing International. A second car will be entered from June onwards. Both Marcos will be driven by Cor Euser (NL), Harald Becker (D), Christian Vann (GB), Daniel Schryvers (USA) and two drivers yet to be confirmed.

The Lister Storm will be entered by Laurence Pearce's Newcastle based team. The only driver to be confirmed so far is Julian Bailey. This 37-year-old British driver raced in Formula 3000 in 1986 and 1987, before moving to Formula 1 in 1988. He has since specialised in Touring cars and GT racing, entering the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times. In 1997, he took part in one round of the 1997 FIA GT Championship, also in a Lister. Last year, he raced the Lister in the British GT Championship, with two wins and four podium finishes out of nine starts.