Maserati 450bhp GranTurismo Trofeo

No excuses now. Here is an opportunity for you to fly to Europe and go motor racing in utmost style. Everything is taken care of. This is an exclusive track test and a behind-the-scenes insight into arrive-and-drive hub.

Since 1914, Maserati has had racing in its DNA, notching up countless successes right up to modern GT racing with its all conquering MC12. The Trident opened its doors to gentleman drivers with the fabulous old Trofeo one-make race hire series which ran from 2003 to 2006. Due to fresh demand, a brand new 22-car Trofeo series will start in 2010 and will run for three years. There will be seven double-header (two, 40-minute races) heats at prestigious race meetings in six European countries. Two free 20-minute practice and qualifying sessions will keep each team busy before the main events.

Buying into the Trofeo race hire programme includes car, spare car, insurance package, mechanics, transport, fuel, tyres, parts, hotels, meals for drivers and their guests, hospitality village, race clothing& Pretty much everything. All you have to do is arrive and drive. The old Trofeo costs roughly Dh530,000 a year, but to finance something similar with your own independent team would have cost ten times more. The cost for the new Trofeo one-make series has yet to be decided, but if you find a team-mate, you can cut the expenses in half.

Right now, though, 15 GT4 cars are available for purchase at Dh700,000 with eligibility for the FIA GT4 championship and the GranTurismo MC GT4 looks like it will be a front-runner with Porsche, Ford, BMW et al.

Maserati Corse had two cars at Vallelunga: one that they were using for development work and one brand new car for this track test, so we hacks were on best behaviour. Nobody wanted to be the journo who hammered the hardware, and as it turned out, no one did. The sensible scribes and more significantly, the GT4's bullet-proof preparation and user-friendly set-up, saved the day.

Gone is the bouncy over-sprung suspension of the old Trofeos. Same for the old very limited steering. Ventilation is also better, with a dedicated air hose which points at the driver. A longer wheelbase makes the new car easier to drift and with its wider/longer footprint and lower centre of gravity, you have to push hard to get the car loose. But, you will have to push hard, as the new Trofeo will be a magnificent and competitive racing series.

My time in the car was running out fast. This was the first time that I drove quickly on a race circuit to save some 'tenths' in order to catch a plane. Out of the race car and into a waiting taxi, I changed into civvies on route to Rome's Leonardo Da Vinci Airport wondering what a Roman chariot race mechanic from the Circus Maximus would have thought of Vallelunga and the fabulous MC GT.

Specs