This article originally appears on ScuderiaCorsa.com.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (April 24, 2016) – It didn’t come easy, but Martin Fuentes and Scuderia Corsa captured their sixth and seventh victories of the 2016 Pirelli World Challenge season this weekend in his AERO-painted Ferrari 458 Italia, setting a new record for consecutive victories in Pirelli World Challenge.
The natural terrain road circuit at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama was the site of this weekend’s races. After winning at Long Beach last Sunday, Fuentes was looking for more success at Barber to extend his championship lead. He had history on his side, as last season’s race at Barber was the site of his first victory at the wheel of the no. 07 Scuderia Corsa / HUBLOT Ferrari 458 Italia.
Fuentes qualified on pole position for the first race, held Saturday afternoon. Keeping his Ferrari ahead of his other GT-A competitors during the busy opening lap, Fuentes engaged in a race-long battle for the lead of the race, which he held all the way to the checkered flag with a margin of victory of 0.133-second.
Sunday’s race saw Fuentes start from second position. He challenged for the GT-A lead throughout the opening lap, running side-by-side with the pole sitter throughout numerous sections of the track, before setting into second position. With the laps winding down, Fuentes was able to move back into the GT-A lead but was facing heavy pressure from the car behind. At the checkered flag, Fuentes won again, and with a 0.83-second margin of victory.
“To be a race car driver and to win championships, you need speed and luck,” said Fuentes. “And definitely, luck was on our side this weekend. We are so happy to win two races this weekend. Scuderia Corsa did a great job and we are thrilled to take as many points as we can here in Barber, and we are looking forward to the next race in Canada. I had cars right behind me in both races challenging for the win, so I am thankful for everyone in the team who delivered this fantastic Ferrari.”
His victory on Sunday established a new World Challenge record for consecutive victories in a season in Pirelli World Challenge.
“To score seven wins in a row this season is an incredible achievement by Martin,” said Giacomo Mattioli, Scuderia Corsa team owner. “He has been driving exceptionally well, and even if today he wasn’t the fastest, he drove a smart race that enabled him to be in a position to capitalize on other’s reliability issues. I’m extremely proud of Martin and of the Team. I think this record, achieved during the farewell tour of the 458, is another testament to how good the 458 GT developed by Ferrari and Michelotto has been over the years. The most successful GT car in Ferrari history.
The races from Barber Motorsports Park will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network on Sunday, May 1 at 4:00 PM ET. The next round of the Pirelli World Challenge will be May 19-22 at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in Bowmanville, Ontario.
About Scuderia Corsa
2015 24Hours of Le Mans Podium, 2015 IMSA GTD and 2013 Grand-AM Rolex GT championship-winning team Scuderia Corsa was founded in 2013 by Giacomo Mattioli and Art Zafiropoulo.
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Picture Credit to Bob Chapman, Autosport Image