Ferrari report very strong interest in the new GT2 class version of their V8-engined F430 sportscar, which is set to make its competitive racing debut within months. Around 15-20 orders are believed to be in the pipeline for this new car which will take the category fight to the currently dominant, factory-backed Porsche 993 GT3 RSR entries.

Since development worked stopped on the last variant of the Ferrari 360 Modena, the 360 GTC, Porsche have dominated the GT2 class in the FIA GT Championship, American Le Mans Series and the Le Mans Endurance Series. The lack of choice in the class has seen customers very keen to exploit the Ferrari option which is developed by the 'Corsi Clienti' department. Amongst the teams expected to run the F430 GT2 in Europe are Scuderia Ecosse and GPC Sport. The GT2 class in the American Le Mans Series in particular is expected to prove highly competitive this year as the usual Porsche 993 GT3 RSR hordes will be joined by a pair of official Lexus IS350 sports sedan entries, while BMW have also recently confirmed that two factory M3 racers will be taking part. Pitching the new F430 GT2 racer into this mix is a priority for Ferrari.

Prior to Christmas an F430 GT2 'mule' was being tested at Fiorano by Jaime Melo (who drove the GPC Sport Ferrari 575 GTC in the FIA GT Championship last year), trying out tyres developed specifically by Pirelli for the new car, and undertaking general system checks.
 

Meanwhile, extensive wind tunnel work has recently been carried out for the GT2 programme and the final bodywork arrangement will be seen when the new car joins its rivals on track during the forthcoming official FIA GT Championship pre-season tests.

At the same time, Ferrari Corse Clienti is also preparing a final upgrade for the N.Technology developed V12-engined 575 GTC racer, which runs in the top FIA GT1 class. The Ferrari 575 GTC 'Evo 2006' will see last years 'Evo 2005' version developed with improvements across the board. Sporadic bursts of promise from this car during the 2005 season included Andrea Piccini's pole position in the GPC Sport run example at the FIA GT Championship round in Istanbul. Mid-season saw a revised engine, aerodynamic and tyre package introduced, but it was not enough to put the car on a par with the powerful Maserati MC12 or the Prodrive-built Ferrari 550 Maranello. With GPC Sport presently negotiating to become a third team to run the Maserati MC12 in the FIA GT Championship this year, it is unclear where this revised 575 GTC will run, although the LMES has to be considered as the most likely venue.