It was fitting that the deciding acts of the 2009 Class 1 European Championship were played out on such a spectacular stage and, without doubt, the Championship has a new jewel to add to its crown.

After seven years the Class 1 Championship returned to Italy and to Stresa on Lake Maggiore for the first time. The venue was simply spectacular, the organisation excellent, the atmosphere electric and the entertainment was, as to be expected, peppered with Italian flair and style.

The last races in Europe this year produced drama, heartbreak and some breathtaking performances; Maritimo’s young guns won then lost their first Grand Prix, Fazza produced the drive of the season, coming from eighth to win Race 2, and the talented Mr Sanchez regained his European Crown, with Class 1 ‘rookie’ Mohammad Al Mehairi.

Class 1 now heads to the Middle East and to another spectacular new venue on the Class 1 calendar, Abu Dhabi, for round 5, 19-21 November.