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The brand-new
Ferrari F430 Challenge racer will take centre stage in the
Maranello-based sportscar manufacturer's line-up at next
month's Frankfurt Motor Show. Exactly a year after the
road-going F430 Coupé was launched during last September's
Paris Mondial de l'Automobile (and six months after the
arrival of the F430 Spider in Geneva) the F430 Challenge
racer is now set to take centre stage on Ferrari's stand at
the Frankfurt IAA.
The new F430 Challenge is now poised to replace the highly
successful 360 Challenge - a track car based on the F430's
predecessor, the 360 Modena - in next year's Ferrari
Challenge racing series' across the globe, ending the
incumbent car's six year stint as the mainstay of these
championships which are designed to allow Ferrari owners' to
race in a competitive and controlled environment.
The F430 Challenge racer - responsibility for the creation
of which is once again being carried out in conjunction with
fabled Ferrari turner, Michelotti - has been spotted at
various Italian race tracks (including Fiorano, Monza and
Vallelunga) all summer undergoing an intensive development
programme. The
prototypes which have been sighted - while betraying very
little in the way of bodywork modifications - do however
offer glimpse of a host of detailing differences. These
changes a full roll protection cage, race seats equipped
with multi-point harnesses, Perspex door glass with a
slide-opening aperture, front tow hook, and bonnet release
pins. At the rear, a new performance exhaust system is
featured, with two single pipes replacing the quad-outlet
affair featured on the standard F430. A quick release fuel
cap, finished in aluminium, is now located on the C-post,
whilst the wheels have been upgraded to single central nut
attachment type. One red prototype has also received a large
sun-blind, taking up half of the front windscreen. The
suspension has also been modified for the track,
particularly noticeable at the rear end, where the ride
height has been dropped substantially. Other details include
air jacks and Brembo
CCM Composite Cermanic Disks.
THE FERRARI
CHALLENGE - A BRIEF HISTORY
The Ferrari Challenge, Ferrari’s own racing series, was
created to allow Ferrari customers to enjoy their cars in a
structured competitive environment, racing against other
Ferrari owners on some of the great race tracks. Ferraris
racing in the series are very carefully prepared and
maintained for competition by authorised Ferrari dealers,
many of whom have formed racing teams for the series.
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Full grids and featuring bumper-to-bumper race action -
the Ferrari Challenge is now in its 13th successful
year of action |
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The new F430 Challenge racer - responsibility for
the creation of which is once again being carried
out in conjunction with fabled Ferrari turner,
Michelotti - has been spotted at various Italian
tracks (including Fiorano, Monza and Vallelunga) all
through summer undergoing an intensive test and
development schedule. Photos:
Alessio
Morgese. |
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These modifications are designed to enhance safety in racing
- for instance, full roll cages, special racing seats and
safety harnesses, fire systems, and similar safety devices.
There are slight modifications to some body panels, and
suspension and brake parts are appropriate for racing, but
the V-8 engine remains exactly as Ferrari built it, with no
changes permitted. The Challenge was created in 1993 for the
then-current Ferrari 348. When the F355 was announced it was
immediately eligible for the Challenge, and eventually
replaced the 348. Since 2000 the featured car has been the
360 Modena - a special racing version has been built by the
Ferrari factory just for the series. The appeal of the
Ferrari Challenge is obvious. Owners can enjoy competition
with their Ferraris on the race track, and enjoy camaraderie
in a social environment with other Ferrari owners away from
the track. Spectators can enjoy the experience of seeing
enthusiastic drivers in fierce competition with street-like
Ferrari racing cars. For the people who participate and for
those who watch, the Ferrari Challenge provides a perfect
way to enjoy a unique and challenging interest.
FERRARI CHALLENGE - ACROSS THE GLOBE
There are thirty Ferrari 360 Modena Challenge cars competing in the
European series of the Ferrari 360 Challenge Trofeo Pirelli
this year.
The top drivers compete in the ‘Trofeo Pirelli’, with 11
drivers currently competing in this category. The remaining
19 gentleman drivers compete in the ‘Coppa Shell’ category
and the top drivers in this category at the end of the year
are elevated to compete in the Trofeo Pirelli category. This
year’s Ferrari Challenge races run to an endurance type
formula with each race lasting 50 minutes, including a
compulsory pit stop which lasts for a set minimum time. This
allows for cars to be driven by a single driver or a crew of
two. In the USA this year's six-race series - which included
one round supporting the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal -
has just concluded its North American programme ahead of the
'World Finals' in Italian, and with 32 different drivers
having scored points during the season.
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