[1] Its title is commonly confused as Maserati Trofeo, which in fact refers to the name devised for the 4200 Coupé built for the series.

However, in recent years Maserati themselves have been very inconsistent regarding the name of the championship, making it hard to define what is officially correct.

The concept is simple: customers purchase or rent a Trofeo car which is for track use only, register themselves and their team for a season or race and compete.

The Trofeo Maserati is regulated by the National Sporting Authority (ASN) of an involved country and FIA.

The 2012 calendar encompasses seven events spanning the globe, including circuits in Italy, China, Portugal, France, Spain, and the United States.

This saves the entrants approximately €40,000 in entry fees alone, but they still compete in 5 of the 7 Worldwide series' events.

Technically, since the Worldwide Series ends in November and stars in April, those wishing to can race in the Trofeo-series all-year around.

In recent years this form of competing has become very popular in gentleman GT racing, because the drivers can split the costs.

Entrants who use private teams must have their cars homologated to meet the equal settings of the in-house raced MC's.

It has around 488 bhp and gearchanges are dealt with in 60 ms. For 2012 the MC has a revised aero package encompassing amongst other minor changes a large rear wing.