Motorsport: Marino Franchitti races Lamborghini VIP car at Silverstone

Jun 23 2011 by Judith Tonner, West Lothian Courier

MARINO Franchitti made a guest appearance at last weekend’s Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo series at Silverstone.

The Bathgate driver was invited to drive the VIP car in the three rounds of competition on the first weekend using the track’s newly designed pit and paddock complex.

He teamed up with Ben Anderson for the trio of 40-minute races in the Lamborghini Gallardo, after securing fifth place on the grid following three timed qualifying laps.

Franchitti drove the second half of the first race of the weekend, securing fifth place after moving up from eighth, having earlier pitted due to a restart issue.

Sunday’s first race saw Anderson reach second place before incurring a penalty when a collision forced the car into the run-off area.

Despite taking over the car with damage to its rear suspension, Franchitti moved it up the field and ultimately finished fourth.

The Bathgate driver then took the wheel for the first half of the final race, successfully executing some daring moves at the Hanger straight and Becketts corner to take the lead and set the fastest lap of the race.

However, it proved to be in vain when team mate Anderson was forced to retur shortly after their changeover due to an expired battery.

Franchitti said: “It was a disappointing end to a weekend that was hugely enjoyable, and it’s just a shame that issues outside Ben’s and my control took away two surefire podiums.

“I have to thank Lamborghini for asking me to drive the Super Trofeo VIP car; chances to race in the UK are rare for me these days, so when this opportunity came up, I jumped at it.”