Penfold Poised for Italian Job!

Ashley Penfold, fresh from a string of outstanding results on the international stage, is preparing for what promises to be a spectacular showdown at the 2025 GT30 European Championship in Viverone, Italy.

The 32-year-old racer from Lowestoft heads into the event with momentum firmly on his side. After securing Bronze at the UIM World Championships and clinching the 2025 GT30 British Sprint Championship title, Penfold is brimming with confidence as he prepares to take on Europeโ€™s finest.

From 12โ€“14 September, he will line up against fifteen elite GT30 drivers from five nations, all determined to claim the prestigious European crown. With so much talent on the water, the stage is set for a thrilling contest of speed, skill and strategy.

The Challenge Ahead

The weekend begins with a crucial timed qualification session, where every competitor will push their craft to the absolute limit in pursuit of pole position. This will determine the grid for four fiercely competitive heats, each demanding precision, control and tactical nous from the drivers.

Navigating the twists and turns of Lake Viverone, racers will need to balance risk with discipline, as only the sharpest and most resilient will find themselves in contention for the European title.

The Setting

Nestled in the scenic landscape of north-west Italy, Viverone offers a breathtaking backdrop for the event. But beneath the tranquil surface lies a course that can quickly turn treacherous, particularly if the winds rise, creating conditions that will test every driverโ€™s composure and adaptability.

From the Driver

Looking ahead to the challenge, Penfold said:

โ€œThe competition is going to be fierce, with the top three drivers from the World Championship back in contention and a big influx of Italian drivers all eager to make their mark.

Viverone is a spectacular place to race, and the action will be intense.

Despite its calm appearance, the lake can create very tricky conditionsโ€”especially if the wind kicks in.

Along with my team, Iโ€™m ready for the challenge and hopefully I can reward them and my sponsors with some more silverware to finish the season in style.โ€

GT30 Entry List โ€“ Viverone, Italy (12โ€“14 September 2025)
# Driver Country Heat 1 Heat 2 Heat 3 Heat 4 Points Team
2 Andres Virumann ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ช EST Viru Racing
7 Karl Soodla ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ช EST Viru Racing
8 Stefano Genova ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA Rainbow Team
9 Luca Baggioli ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA Milano Racing
10 Ashley Penfold ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง GBR Ashley Penfold Racing Team
11 Jacopo Ravasio ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA
14 Edoardo Chiesa ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA Rainbow Team
16 Riccardo Colonna ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA
18 Jaime Atlee ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง GBR Jelf Racing Team
26 Erik Suuk ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ช EST Viru Racing
29 Riccardo Costa ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA Milano Racing
32 Andrea Cavalloni ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA
37 Mattia Andreani ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA Rainbow Team
42 Mantas Kucinavicius ๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡น LTU Riabko Racing Team
50 Marcin Kociucki ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ POL Polska Powerboat
99 Lorenzo De Biasi ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA Milano Racing
199 Peter Sandor ๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡บ HUN Hungarian Speed Team
GT30 Driver Bios โ€“ Viverone 2025
Driver Country Bio
Andres Virumann ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ช EST Estonian rising star with a background in junior hydroplane racing. Known for precision and consistency.
Karl Soodla ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ช EST Aggressive on turns and a podium contender in Baltic circuits. Teammate of Virumann at Viru Racing.
Stefano Genova ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA Veteran of the Italian GT30 scene, racing with Rainbow Team since 2022. Known for smooth handling and racecraft.
Luca Baggioli ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA Young talent from Milan, trained under the FIM Junior Elite program. Shows promise in technical circuits.
Ashley Penfold ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง GBR British powerhouse, known for fearless starts and aggressive overtakes.
Jaime Atlee ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง GBR Technical racer with a background in engineering. Brings strategy and precision to every lap.
Mantas Kucinavicius ๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡น LTU Lithuanian national champion, racing with Riabko Racing Team. Dominates in high-speed conditions.
Marcin Kociucki ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ POL Representing Polska Powerboat, known for endurance and late-race surges. A consistent top-10 finisher.
Peter Sandor ๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡บ HUN Hungarian veteran, racing since 2015 with Hungarian Speed Team. Brings experience and tactical awareness.
Jacopo Ravasio ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA Emerging Italian driver with strong regional results. Making his GT30 debut at Viverone.
Riccardo Colonna ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA Private entry with a background in amateur hydroplane racing. Known for steady improvement.
Andrea Cavalloni ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA Newcomer to the GT30 circuit. Trained under local Italian racing programs.
Mattia Andreani ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA Rainbow Team junior driver. Known for quick reflexes and adaptability in changing water conditions.
Edoardo Chiesa ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA Experienced Italian racer with multiple podiums in national GT30 events. A Rainbow Team regular.
Riccardo Costa ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA Milano Racingโ€™s youngest entrant. Known for bold overtakes and high cornering speeds.
Lorenzo De Biasi ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ITA Veteran of the Italian circuit. Brings consistency and technical finesse to the Milano Racing lineup.