Montezemolo set for TRD 86 Cup debut

Denzil Pinto 06:18 10/03/2016
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  • Back behind the wheel: Montezemolo.

    There will be a new driver on the TRD 86 Cup grid in the name of Nicola Montezemolo as the Italian is set to make his debut on Friday.

    The 34-year-old is one of 14 participants lining up at the Dubai Autodrome for an event designed to give amateurs a chance to drive in a professional and competitive environment.

    For Montezemolo, he is no stranger to the motorsport scene having competed in some single-seater championship races in Italy more than seven years ago. But since moving to the UAE in 2010, the closest thing he’s come to behind the wheel on a circuit is during track days and driving experience sessions.

    The launch of Yas Marina Circuit’s (YMC) TRD 86 Cup in 2014 provided the perfect chance to get back on the competitive scene but after initially turning the chance down last year, the Italian is delighted to join this weekend’s line-up.

    “I know Phil Ellis (driving experience manager at YMC) quite well and I’m constantly in touch with him and the YMC team,” he said. “I knew of the TRD 86 Cup last year. I had a chat with Phil and I got a feel of how the car was during some test drives to see if I was interested. I told them maybe but for some reason I didn’t do it.

    “I said to them, if one of the races is held in Dubai and if there’s a car available, then give me a call. They did and two weeks later I’m now here. The experience of racing in Italy was very engaging but the TRD 86 Cup will be challenging.”

    Montezemolo, who works as a strategic relationship manager at the capital’s Ferrari World, has already been behind the wheel of the Toyota 86 car at YMC earlier this week and is impressed by the vehicle.

    “I found the whole experience engaging,” he said. “I came out of the car with a big smile at Yas Marina Circuit. It was easy, fun and engaging. You don’t have to be a super professional driver to race this car and it will be good to be back racing. Motorsport is something I have loved since I was a child.”

    As a Roma fan, he has chosen No. 10 for his car in recognition of the jersey number of club captain and midfielder Francesco Totti. While Totti is still going strong at 39, Montezemolo remains coy on making an instant impact in a field that includes defending champion Karim Al Azhari, who enjoyed a double victory in Abu Dhabi in Round Two in January.

    “The car is pretty easy to drive which means the competition will be high because most of the drivers will be able to reach the limits of the car,” he said. “Nobody starts a race wanting to finish last but I don’t have many expectations.”

    Whether he claims a podium finish or not, Montezemolo will assess his displays before deciding whether to return for next week’s fourth round. “After the two races in Dubai I will see if I want to continue for the rest of the competition,” he said.

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