If you're looking to start out in motor racing and you've got the cash, there's a number of exotic automakers that offer their own spec racing series. Ferrari has its Challenge series, Lamborghini the Super Trofeo, Porsche various Carrera Cups and Maserati runs its own Trofeo as well. Each of these championships runs identical machinery derived from their respective road-going sportscars, but upgraded to competition specifications.

For Maserati, that means the GranTurismo, which has just been updated for the 2013 Maserati Trofeo MC World Series. The latest GranTurismo MC Trofeo has mostly the same specifications as the 2012 model it replaces, only with a slightly lower curb weight, widened track, reworked aerodynamics and new Pirelli tires. The same 4.7-liter V8 continues to produce 444 horsepower. So far Maserati has signed up 15 teams for the 2013 season, and hopes to attract another five before the first race on April 28 at the Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France.