Ferrari Racing Days at Spa – Rigon, Beretta and Pier Guidi put on a show
Posted: 13.05.2018
Source: Ferrari
Francorchamps, 13 May 2018 – Even the rain failed to quell the passion of the Ferraristi, from sports customers, to road cars drivers, to fans. During the weekend the grandstand on the main straight was packed with spectators, as was the paddock, with thousands of people gathering at Spa-Francorchamps. On Sunday the program offered the second two races of the Ferrari Challenge Europe, along with the F1 Clienti and XX Programmes sessions. On the final day of the event, official Ferrari drivers Davide Rigon, Olivier Beretta and Alessandro Pier Guidi starred in a fantastic track show.
Superfast trio. The performance began on the main straight shortly after 1 pm, when Alessandro Pier Guidi set off in the new Ferrari 488 Pista, Olivier Beretta climbed into the 488 GTE of MR Racing, in which he came fifth a week ago in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, and Davide Rigon took the wheel of a 488 Challenge. After this display of Maranello’s V8 sportcars, Rigon slipped into the cockpit of a 2009 F60 to thrill the public with fast laps and lightning quick tyre changes performed by the Scuderia Ferrari mechanics.
F1 Clienti. Anyone arriving early was treated to the sight of the Formula 1 single-seaters cornering the spectacular Eau Rouge and Raidillon turns, with their rain tyres spraying out a classic water trail, while still allowing the drivers to top 300 km/h on the Kemmel straight and on the final turns of one of the world’s most beautiful tracks. The 2013 F138 shared the track with two F2008s and one F2007, two F2001s and one F2002. Then there was also an F333 SP, the barchetta that still holds a place in the hearts of endurance racing fans. Indeed, this car triumphed at the 24 Hours of Daytona, the Petit Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring.
XX Programmes. The XX Programmes cars didn’t slip under the radar either. These vehicles, homologated for track use only, stand out for their power and cutting-edge technology. The original FXX was driven by two customers, who were joined by host of 599XXs, 599XX Evos and FXX Ks that clocked excellent times despite the rain. There was also an FXX K Evo, which put in the best performance thanks to its greater downforce.
Ferrari Challenge. The Ferrari Challenge offered two more races, although the second was marred by the fog that descended on the Ardennes track in the mid-afternoon. The first, the Trofeo Pirelli, was chaotic with a second start after an accident at La Source. The winners were championship leader Nicklas Nielsen (Formula Racing) and Fabienne Wohlwend (Octane 126), the fastest woman in Ferrari Challenge history, who had previously won at Imola last year in the Coppa Shell. The race officials spent 20 minutes trying to start the Coppa Shell race but the conditions were never right to withdraw the Safety Car from in front of the group. So, the final standings were just like qualifying with James Weiland winning the Coppa Shell and Ingvar Mattsson the Coppa Shell Am.
Ferrari Challenge Europe at Spa-Francorchamps – Nielsen, Wohlwend, Weiland and Mattsson win Race-2
Posted: 12.05.2018
Source: Ferrari
Francorchamps, 13 May 2018 – Nicklas Nielsen, Fabienne Wohlwend, James Weiland and Ingvar Mattsson won the Sunday races of the Ferrari Challenge Europe at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, on a day that was marked by rain and fog.
Trofeo Pirelli. The Trofeo Pirelli race kicked off in the early afternoon and was immediately marked by a series of crashes with the track soaked after a morning of rain. David Fumanelli, who started from pole, spun, unleashing chaos behind him. Indeed, some drivers went wide to avoid hitting the 488 Challenge of Rossocorsa. One of them was Germany’s Thomas Loefflad (Gohm Motorsport BB) who as his wheels mounted the extraturf lost control of his 488 Challenge and smashed violently into the barriers. The driver was ok but red flag came out and the race only resumed an hour later. At the second start Nielsen (Formula Racing) held onto first ahead of Florian Merckx (Baron Motorsport) and Bjorn Grossmann (Octane 126) who soon moved into second. Nielsen still tops the championship standings a few points ahead of Grossmann.
Pirelli Am. Fabienne Wohlwend dominated the Trofeo Pirelli Am race for her second career win and the first in a class to which she was promoted this year. The Octane 126 driver took advantage of Loefflad’s exit and the problems of championship leader Chris Froggatt. The Ferrari GB – HR Owen driver damaged his 488 Challenge at the start and lined up last for the second start. His comeback would have brought him to fourth place on the podium, but he was disqualified because the mechanics had worked on his car in the pitlane instead of the garage. The final result are still provisional since the team made an appeal to the decision. Claus Zibrandsen (Formula Racing) and John Sawbridge (Ferrari GB – HR Owen) mounted the second and third steps of the podium behind Wohlwend.
Coppa Shell and Shell Am. The Coppa Shell and Coppa Shell Am races were decided in the morning with qualifying. The race officials did their best to get things going despite the fog that had descended on the Kemmel straight. For almost 20 minutes the cars lapped behind the Safety Car in the hope that the fog would lift, but it wasn’t to be. The race was stopped with the red flag and half points were awarded. James Weiland therefore won at the wheel of the 488 Challenge of Rossocorsa, ahead of Christophe Hurni (Team Zenith Sion-Lausanne) and the winner of Race-1, Eric Cheung (Formula Racing). Alex Nussbaumer once again took pole in the Shell Am class but an issue at the end of qualifying forced the Formula Racing driver to start from the back of the grid. Ingvar Mattsson (Scuderia Autoropa) finished first ahead of Agata Smolka (Rossocorsa) and Murat Cuhadaroglu (Kessel Racing). Next race Misano, June 7-9.
Ferrari Racing Days – The sun shines on the Ferraris at Spa
Posted: 12.05.2018
Source: Ferrari
Francorchamps, 12 May 2018 – A brilliant spring sun shone on Saturday for the Ferrari Racing Days at Spa-Francorchamps. The most important event of the Corse Clienti season sees the company’s three main activities on track on the same weekend: the Ferrari Challenge Europe, F1 Clienti and the XX Programmes.
Thousands of people. Good weather, along with a chance to admire almost 200 Ferrari cars, attracted thousands of fans to the Belgian circuit, with adults and children alike unable to resist the magic of the Prancing Horse. The stand with the entire range on display, along with the space housing the Ferrari 488 Pista, accompanied by the 488 GTE of MR Racing just back from the 6 Hours of Spa in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), thrilled the fans along with the parade of Ferrari road cars that literally invaded the track shortly after midday.
F1 Clienti. Big crowds lined up in front of the garage with the Formula 1 cars that have made the history of the category, such as the F2007, winner of the world championship with Kimi Raikkonen, or the F2008 which won the world constructors’ championship, not to mention the cars of the Michael Schumacher era, the most successful in Maranello’s history. The fans who flocked to the circuit enjoyed the sound of the aspirated V10 and V8 power units, with engine rev speeds markedly higher than the current single-seaters.
XX Programmes. The cars of the XX Programmes were equally impressive, with the FXX K and FXX K Evo attracting the eyes and ears of fans along with the 599XX and FXX. The expressions of the spectators as these cars created exclusively for the track thundered by said a lot about how special they are.
Ferrari Challenge. The Ferrari Challenge, the world’s most famous one-make series, then put on a great show with two races full of twists and turns. Local fans greeted the victory of Belgium’s Florian Merckx in the Trofeo Pirelli, while in the Pirelli Am class Chris Froggatt won again, despite a drive-through penalty. In the Coppa Shell the laurels went to Eric Cheung and Alexander Nussbaumer. Tomorrow is the final day, with the Challenge races (at 2:15 pm and 4 pm), which will be preceded by the Ferrari show with Davide Rigon at the wheel of the Formula 1 car.
Ferrari Challenge Europe at Spa-Francorchamps – Triumph for Merckx, Froggatt, Cheung and Nussbaumer
Posted: 12.05.2018
Source: Ferrari
Francorchamps, 12 May 2018 – Florian Merckx, Chris Froggatt, Eric Cheung and Alexander Nussbaumer were the first winners of the Ferrari Challenge Europe at Spa-Francorchamps, the third round of the championship held in the European Ferrari Racing Days.
Trofeo Pirelli. The Trofeo Pirelli race kicked off in the early afternoon and turned out to be spectacular. Local hero Florian Merckx of Baron Motorsport, set off faster than poleman Nicklas Nielsen, overtaking the rival before Eau Rouge. Then on the Kemmel straight, Bjorn Grossmann (Octane 126) also passed the Formula Racing driver. The trio quickly built up a lead over the rest of the group, taking advantage of the withdrawal of David Fumanelli (Rossocorsa), involved in an accident at the start. Merckx handled the pressure from his rivals, with Grossman only managing to pass him by cutting the chicane. The German, of course, then had to give back the position. There was next to nothing between Merckx, Grossmann and Nielsen as they crossed the line. It was Florian’s first win in the 488 Challenge, while Nielsen kept his lead in the championship standings.
Pirelli Am. Once again it was an all-British fight in the Pirelli Am with championship leader Chris Froggatt punished with a drive-through for his involvement in David Fumanelli’s accident. Froggatt then pulled off an extraordinary recovery. The Ferrari GB driver fought back to join his teammates John Sawbridge and Formula Racing drivers John Dhillon and Klaus Zibrandsen. On the last lap, a slight mistake by Sawbridge allowed Froggatt to draw up alongside his rival at the Bus Stop chicane, crossing the line just 35 thousandths of second ahead of him, the narrowest margin of victory in the history of the Ferrari Challenge.
Coppa Shell. The Coppa Shell race started later in the afternoon and saw Eric Cheung (Formula Racing) hold onto first ahead of Christophe Hurni (Formula Racing) in the 488 Challenge of Team Zenith Sion-Lausanne. Thomas Gostner (Ineco-MP Racing) was in third, immediately followed by a tough group formed by Fons Scheltema (Kessel Racing), James Weiland (Rossocorsa) and Manuela Gostner (Ineco-MP Racing). Gostner attacked Weiland, who was forced to retire after a slight contact at the La Source hairpin. At the midway point the race was neutralised with the Safety Car coming on following an accident involving Vladimir Hladik (Baron Motorsport). The 488 Challenge of the Czech driver, who emerged unscathed, lost some liquid and the race finished behind the safety car. Cheung took first ahead of Hurni and Thomas Gostner.
Shell Am. The Shell Am class saw little in the way of twists and turns with Alexander Nussbaumer starting from pole position and staying in first to the finish line. Second place went to a very strong Agata Smolka (Rossocorsa) ahead of Murat Cuhadaroglu (Kessel Racing). Tomorrow the second day of races will see Trofeo Pirelli starting at 14.15; Coppa Shell is at 16.
Ferrari Racing Days – Three Belgian drivers ready for the Challenge at Spa
Posted: 09.05.2018
Source: Ferrari
Francorchamps, 9 May 2018 – Ferrari Racing Days is one of the most anticipated events of the season, with over fifty 488 Challenges on track in addition to F1 Clienti and XX Programme cars. The seven-kilometre circuit is an irresistible attraction for drivers who are flocking to the Ferrari competition.
The return of Merckx. Three Belgian drivers will line up for the Challenge. Florian Merckx is the most prominent among them. The Baron Motorsport team driver has clocked up three seasons in the championship including one title, won in 2016 in the Trofeo Pirelli in the Asia-Pacific series. Florian boasts eight victories, 10 fastest laps and as many pole positions. The Belgian is making his debut in the 488 Challenge. Obviously, Merckx will be competing in the Trofeo Pirelli.
De Meeus to shine. Laurent De Meeus will be back on track in the Coppa Shell Am, after skipping the second race at Silverstone due to an accident at the end of Saturday’s race. The Ferrari GB driver shone at Mugello, and is expected to make up ground on his home track.
Guy’s debut. The third Belgian is Guy Fawe, driving for Scuderia FMA in his debut in the Ferrari Challenge. This driver has experience in the Trofeo Maserati but this is the first time he will have to handle the 670 horsepower of the 488 Challenge. In his favour is vast experience on his home track, which should make it easier for him as gets to know the Prancing Horse V8 twin turbo. He will be competing in the Coppa Shell. The Challenge programme has already started with the tests. The races will be held on Saturday and Sunday at 2:15 pm (Pirelli Trofeo) and 4 pm (Coppa Shell).
Ferrari Racing Days – Spa-Francorchamps ready for the big show
Posted: 07.05.2018
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 7 May 2017 – Ferrari Racing Days at Spa-Francorchamps, the main European Corse Clienti event of 2018, are about to kick-off with the first tests in the Challenge on Wednesday and the opening of the F1 Clienti and XX Programmes sessions on Friday. The legendary Ardenne track, for years the home of the Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix, will host more tham 80 cars taking part in three activities: the Ferrari Challenge, XX Programmes and F1 Clienti. Along with the sporting side, there will be the Passione Ferrari and Club Challenge activities from Thursday and a paddock full of attractions.
Ferrari Challenge. Spa-Francorchamps will be hosting the third round of the 2018 season of the Ferrari Challenge Europe. In the Trofeo Pirelli Nicklas Nielsen (Formula Racing) is the man to watch but local supporter will be supporting the Belgian Florian Merckx at his comeback after the win in the 206 APAC championship. In the Trofeo Pirelli AM the favorite is Chris Froggatt while in the Coppa Shell Erich Prinoth is leading over Vladimir Hladik. In Coppa Shell Am the leader is Ingvar Mattsson. WEC World Champion with Ferrari Alessandro Pier Guidi will act as race advisor.
XX Programmes. The cars of the XX Programmes are also eagerly anticipated. This is the Spa-Francorchamps debut of the FXX K Evo, the most recent car of this exclusive Corse Clienti activity, which packs 1050 hp, 860 from the heat engine and 190 from the HY-KERS system derived from Formula 1. The car features a new aero kit for performance even more at the edge. Six FXX Ks will line up alongside eleven 599XXs and FXXs, the first car of this type of programme that can call on exclusive tutors such as Olivier Beretta.
F1 Clienti. WEC official Ferrari driver Davide Rigon will be the reference point of the special customers of F1 Clienti, the Ferrari programme that provides the Formula 1 cars of the most successful team in the world to an exclusive group of owners. Cars on track to note include the F2002, the record making single-seater with which Michael Schumacher became world champion for the seventh time in Spa-Francorchamps; the F2001, also world Drivers’ and Constructors’ champion with the German ace, two F2008 and an F2007 belonging to current Scuderia Ferrari driver, Kimi Raikkonen. Aside from his role as a tutor Davide Rigon will also feature on track in the F1 show on Sunday.
In the paddock. The Ferrari Racing Days at Spa-Francorchamps promises to be a memorable event not only for its track activities. The new paddock of the famous Belgian circuit will host a display of all the Challenge cars of the past, in celebration of the arrival of the 488 Challenge, the new car of the most famous single-make series in the world. Unveiled at the 2016 Finali Mondiali at Daytona the car made its debut at the start of the 2017 championships. Fans can also see the entire range on display, including the 812 Superfast, an extraordinary 12-cylinder car, the Portofino and the brand new Ferrari 488 Pista.