Ferrari Challenge North America – Ferrari Splendor and Victories
Posted: 24.09.2016
Source: Ferrari
Lakeville, 24 September 2016 – Tifosi from across the Northeast region gathered atop the rolling hills surpassing Lime Rock Park as the racing action ensued for the fifth round of the North American Ferrari Challenge. The 1.5-mile historic racing circuit, sequestered between the luscious forests of Connecticut just barely starting to embrace their autumn hues, saw a grand stable of Prancing Horses on track.
Trofeo Pirelli. The Trofeo Pirelli class saw the same podium winners as the previous day. Carlos Kauffmann (Ferrari of Ft. Lauderdale) maintained his lead throughout the race (also setting the fastest lap) and Wei Lu (Ferrari of Vancouver) chasing in his tail. Rick Mancuso closed the winning circle by standing once more in third position on the podium steps.
Pirelli Am. The biggest action of the day was the top four race contention between Marc Muzzo (Ferrari of Ontario), Authur Romanelli (The Collection), Steve Johnson (Ferrari of Ft. Lauderdale), and James Weiland (Ferrari of San Francisco). The drivers all stood within half a second of one another, leading to overtaking charges at every moment possible. Weiland suffered some relapse in time though as he directed his way through the traffic, nearly taking third place before taking the Big Bend a little too wide. Muzzo, who kept a strong lead throughout the 30-minute race, finished in first place. Romanelli finished in second (he also set the fastest lap) with Johnson in third.
Coppa Shell. Yesterday’s Coppa Shell winner, Matt Keegan (Ferrari of San Francisco) saw himself starting on the pole for the second time this weekend. However, was overtaken at Turn 1 in the start of the race by Jean-Claude Saada (Boardwalk Ferrari). As both drivers had some contact in the first lap, Joe Courtney (Miller Motor Cars) found the perfect opportunity to take charge and jump to the lead. This was Courtney’s first win on his home circuit and the local crowds that came to support were clearly overjoyed with the results. Newcomer Karl Williams (Ferrari of Beverly Hills) maintained his second place position through the finish line setting the fastest lap of the race with Rob Hodes (Ferrari of Washington) battling through Keegan and Chris Cagnazzi (Ferrari of Long Island) for a third place finish.
Not only track. The 458 Challenge EVOs raced in the Coppa Shell, Trofeo Pirelli AM and Trofeo Pirelli classes were not the only spectacle. The weekend also played host to one of the largest Ferrari car corrals seen in the last couple of years of the series. More than 70 cars were on exposé, an eclectic field ranging from the 166 Barchetta to the newest F12tdf unveiled last fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Anyone could vote for the People’s Choice Award, the ultimate recognition going to the exquisite Ferrari 335 Sport.
Next stop Homestead. The season continues at Homestead-Miami Speedway November 4-6 in conjunction with the Ferrari Racing Days. In addition to the sixth round of the Ferrari Challenge, the XX Programmes and F1 Clienti cars will gather for one final exhibition on track before the Finali Mondiali in Daytona.
Ferrari Challenge North America – Connecticut Racing Flavor
Posted: 23.09.2016
Source: Ferrari
Lakeville, 23 September 2016 – The sun blazed above the wooded area surrounding the 1.54-mile circuit of Lime Rock Park. Today marks the opening day for the fifth round of the 2016 North American Ferrari Challenge season, and also the first time the drivers would compete in utterly dry conditions. At each racing event this year, drivers from the Coppa Shell, Trofeo Pirelli AM and Trofeo Pirelli classes have competed under various “wet” conditions; some have been with a slight moisture on the track while others were bestowed beneath incessant downpours. However, the drivers and their 458 Challenge EVOs were ready for the pristine track conditions with a dry, autumn air and deep azure skies.
Two races. Due to the track’s length and the number of cars competing on track, the Coppa Shell and Trofeo Pirelli/Trofeo Pirelli AM classes were separated, still all competing for the championship points. In addition, racing is not permitted on Sundays within the grounds. Therefore, there was not just one race today, but two 30-minute sprint competitions.
Trofeo Pirelli and Pirelli AM. The Trofeo Pirelli and Trofeo Pirelli AM drivers were the first to take to the track in the early hours of the afternoon. And the race proved to be exhilarating for the Tifosi sitting high above the hills at the Big Bend turn. As the drivers attached the front stretch, a couple, like Carlos Kauffmann (Ferrari of Ft. Lauderdale) lost their momentum with the pack racing, but others like Arthur Romanelli (The Collection) gained the advantage and were unstoppable. The competition for second position between Marc Muzzo (Ferrari of Ontario) and Steve Johnson (Ferrari of Ft. Lauderdale) provided the greatest delight for spectators as they danced to lead one another. Ultimately Muzzo took the advantage going into the No Name Straight midway through the race, as Kauffmann tactfully regained his position for Trofeo Pirelli, also marking the fastest lap today with a 56:035 during the race. Ultimately, he would be the grand victor for the Trofeo Pirelli class, with Wei Lu (Ferrari of Vancouver) coming in second position, and Nick Mancuso (Lake Forest Sportscars) finishing in third. Romanelli, running like an unstoppable bullet (he also set the fastest lap in 56:243), finished first in his Trofeo Pirelli AM class, leading Muzzo who came in second and Johnson placing third.
Coppa Shell. In his rookies season, Matt Keegan (Ferrari of San Francisco) captured the pole and first place win for the Coppa Shell class. But Keegan maintained a constant eye for Jean-Claude Saada (Boardwalk Ferrari) and the current championship leader, Joe Courtney (Miller Motor Cars). The three were head-to-head throughout the second race of the day, projecting the correct line and racing demeanor. Karl Williams (Ferrari of Beverly Hills) also maintained wind, staying close to Courtney’s tale and finding every chance for an overtake. The battle for a top five finish would be contended by Chris Cagnazzi (Ferrari of Long Island) and Rob Hodes (Ferrari of Washington) who set the fastet lap in 56:734. In the end, Saada finished second today and Courtney in third.
Schedule. The track action continues tomorrow with the Coppa Shell class racing at 2:10 PM EDT (8:10 PM CET) and the Trofeo Pirelli and Trofeo Pirelli AM classes going green at 3:10 PM EDT (9:10 CET).
Ferrari Challenge North America – Racing to the Northeast
Posted: 22.09.2016
Source: Ferrari
Lakeville, 22 September 2016 – After a 3-month break, the 458 Challenge EVOs will rev their V8 engines in the fifth round of the North American Ferrari Challenge 2016 season. The competition heads to Lime Rock Park, the Northeast’s most esteemed 1.54-mile racing circuit. Renowned for the high speeds seen along the Sam Posey and No Name Straights, the weekend will bring the Ferraristi and Tifosi from the tri-state region in support of the Prancing Horses competing on track.
Shorter weekend. As the classic 7-turn circuit does not allow for racing activities on Sunday, the weekend schedule has been truncated to just Friday and Saturday for all of the action. Thirty cars will take to the track for practice and qualifying sessions. The races themselves will be separated between the Trofeo Pirelli and Trofeo Pirelli Am competing against one another and the Coppa Shell class contending separately. Emmanuel Anassis (Ferrari Quebec) continues to lead in the Trofeo Pirelli class championship with 123 points. Steve Johnson (Ferrari of Ft. Lauderdale) leads with 118 points in his Trofeo Pirelli AM class. And Joe Courntey (Miller Motor Cars) starts the weekend leading with 138 points in Coppa Shell.
Show in the paddock too. Great racing spectacles will be showcased this weekend, but so will the grand Ferrari festival in the paddock. Alongside the current product range on display, Ferraris from all decades will gather in the car corral. From Classiches to the newest LaFerrari supercar, the sights and sounds of the everlasting horsepower rooted within the cars will delight fans of all ages.
Tickets. General Admission is $55 and youths 16 and under are admitted for free with at least one accompanying adult. Tickets can be purchased at the circuit’s front gates.