Kristoffersson secures Superstars title after crazy Pergusa finale

Sweden's Johan Kristoffersson secured the 2012 Superstars Series title after a wild season-closing weekend at Pergusa.

His eventual success did not seem at all likely during free practice, with Kristoffersson's KMS Audi severely hampered by the extra weight it carries to limit the advantage of its four-wheel-drive system.

This left the car totally unsuited to the Pergusa track, where making full use of the kerbs is essential. Kristoffersson thus qualified a full 4.5s off pole for the opening race – which still made him the fastest Audi – while title rival Tonio Liuzzi (CAAL-Mercedes) took seventh on the grid.

Out front Superstars GT Sprint regular Raffaele Giammaria (Romeo Ferraris Mercedes) secured pole on his International Series debut and duly took a comfortable win. Francesco Sini (Solaris Chevrolet) took second after Max Pigoli's Ferlito Jaguar engine expired late in proceedings. Liuzzi was third, cutting the points gap to just six ahead of the final race with Kristoffersson fifth after picking up spots when other hit trouble.

The reverse grid race two saw the KMS Audi man start two places ahead of his rival, but Kristoffersson was struck hard by Nico Caldarola (Roma Racing Mercedes) on the opening tour. The Swede was out and Liuzzi now needed just a top-five finish to secure the crown.

The Italian was on course to achieve this until a dubious overtaking attempt from Andrea Larini (Romeo Ferraris Mercedes) badly damaged his car and sent him tumbling down the order, handing the crown to Kristoffersson.

Meanwhile Giammaria claimed another win to cap a perfect maiden weekend in the championship with Luigi Ferrara second and Simone Iacone (Solaris Chevrolet) completing the podium.

Afterwards Liuzzi did not mince his words when describing the Larini incident, calling the Romeo Ferraris driver as "dangerous" before adding: "unfortunately in this category, you are mixing professionals with amateurs, and sometimes you are mixing racing cars with dodge 'em cars."

Meanwhile new champion Kristoffersson was thrilled and a little shocked to have secured the crown.

"We were completely off pace but we decided to do our race, take the car to the finish and see where that got us," said the KMS man. "Everything has gone my way this season. I am really happy."

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James Weeks