Ferrari Racing Days – Over 100 Ferrari cars thrill COTA
Posted: 12.03.2018 / Source: Ferrari
Austin, 12 March 2018 – Over 100 Ferrari race cars took to the Circuit of the Americas from March 8 – 12 for the annual North American stop of Ferrari Racing Days. A packed schedule featured six Ferrari Challenge races over the course of the weekend (a first for Ferrari Challenge in North America) alongside lapping sessions for F1 Clienti and XX Programmes participants as well as lapping sessions for owners in their Ferrari street cars. This edition of Ferrari Racing Days was headlined, however, by the on-track debut of the FXX-K EVO. Delivered to three clients during the weekend, the car equipped with the new kit immediately impressed all in attendance with its aggressive aerodynamics, excellent sound, and incredible performance.
FXX-K EVO. The Ferrari FXX-K EVO was the most admired car of the weekend. Boasting 23% more downforce than the FXX-K and over 1,000 horsepower, the EVO immediately established itself as the class of the XX Programme. Three FXX-K EVO packages were delivered to clients at the Circuit of the Americas, in a special presentation by Ferrari North America President Matteo Torre.
F1 Clienti and XX Programmes. Ten Ferrari Formula 1 cars took to the track over the course of this four-day celebration, from a 1995 412 T2, to the F138 from 2013. In fact, this was the first time that this particular F138, Alonso’s car from the 2013 season, took to the track. The sound of the car’s V8 powerplant recalled the first Formula 1 races at Circuit of the Americas, the first of which was in 2012. Twenty-one XX Programmes cars also took to the track in sessions dedicated to these racing evolutions of Ferrari street cars. In addition to the three FXX-K EVOs, there were cars representing the full breadth of the XX Programmes, starting with the Ferrari Enzo-based FXX. There were also eight 599XX and 599XX EVO cars who put on quite a display with their front-mounted V12s and front exit exhausts. The balance of the field was made up of the Ferrari LaFerrari based FXX-K in what was by far the largest ever gathering of these cars in North America.
Ferrari Challenge. Six races featuring over sixty Ferrari Challenge cars took place on Saturday and Sunday, including over forty 488 Challenge race cars. Drivers were eager to impress their F1 Clienti and XX Programmes colleagues. and perhaps at times became somewhat over-exuberant, with several safety car periods breaking up the action. In all, however, the Challenge competitors acquitted themselves remarkably well, promising a thrilling competition throughout the year to crown a champion. There were nine different winners over the weekend.
Schedule. Ferrari Challenge will next take to the track at the world-famous Laguna Seca on May 4 – 6 while the F1 Clienti and XX Programmes cars will make their way to the undulating corners of Road Atlanta for a weekend of testing followed by travelling to Imola for a special event on April 20 – 22.
Ferrari Challenge NA – Nine different winners at COTA
Posted: 12.03.2018 / Source: Ferrari
Austin, 12 March 2018 – The largest ever field for Ferrari Challenge in North America arrived to the capitol of Texas this past weekend when sixty-four 488 Challenge and 458 Challenge EVO race cars descended on the Circuit of the Americas. The occasion was of course Ferrari Racing Days, and while drivers reveled in the added excitement, the racing action of Ferrari Challenge took center stage.
Changing weather. A contrast in weather between Race-1 and Race-2 led to dramatically different driving conditions. While Saturday was hot, with intense, direct sun, Sunday’s stage for Race-2 was blustery and much cooler. Even the most fit of drivers faced the added difficulty of maintaining focus through the thirty minute duration of Race-1. The cooler temperatures of Sunday were certainly much appreciated for drivers and fans alike.
Trofeo Pirelli/Trofeo Pirelli AM Race-1. Cooper MacNeil (Ferrari of Beverly Hills) carried on his domination at the Circuit of the Americas after taking victory in last year’s races as well. Thats not to say, however, that this was a straightforward win. Peter Ludwig (Wide World of Cars) pushed Cooper the whole way and finished only three tenths of a second back, while also setting the fastest race lap. By the end of Race-1, it became clear that these two drivers are going to continue to be championship rivals in the Trofeo Pirelli class for the duration of the season. Benjamin Hites (The Collection) rounded out the podium. In the Trofeo Pirelli AM class, Rob Hodes (Ferrari of Washington) was able to build a four second lead over Dave Musial (Lake Forest Sportscars) as he crossed the stripe, with Murray Rothlander (Ferrari of Vancouver) a further thirteen seconds back. Attrition in the Trofeo Pirelli AM class was significant, with four cars retiring due to incidents of one sort or another.
Trofeo Pirelli/Trofeo Pirelli AM Race-2. All of the tension that built up through Race-1 came to a sudden and dramatic halt in Race-2 as Peter and Cooper collided in the famous Turn 1 at the Circuit. In an overly optimistic attempt, Peter made use of the inviting and wide entry to the corner, but misjudged his braking point and speared into Cooper’s 488 Challenge car. Both drivers were fine, but also clearly frustrated with the result. This seemed to leave the door open for Chris Cagnazzi and his Ferrari of Long Island entry to march towards the checkered flag. However, it was not to be. As Chris attempted to power out of the final corner, a moment of oversteer proved to be too much to control, as the car rotated and speared into a concrete wall. Benjamin Hites (The Collection) took his maiden victory in Ferrari Challenge, while Naveen Rao (Ferrari of San Diego) and Marc Muzzo (Ferrari of Ontario) took second and third respectively. In Trofeo Pirelli AM, Murray Rothlander (Ferrari of Vancouver) took the top step on the podium in a depleted class. Three AM cars did not make the start due to the damage sustained from the previous day. Ross Chouest (Ferrari of Palm Beach) took second and Rob Hodes (Ferrari of Washington) cemented his championship charge with a third place finish.
Coppa Shell/Coppa Shell AM Race-1. Thomas Tippl (Ferrari of Beverly Hills) claimed victory in Race-1 for the Coppa Shell and Coppa Shell AM classes on Saturday. Thomas took advantage of chaos behind him to build a gap that he would never relinquish. Michael Fassbender (Ferrari North America) pulled off a decisive and aggressive pass on Geoff Palermo in the middle of COTA’s esses to claim second, his second podium of the season. While he was able to eat into Thomas’ lead quite significantly, he ultimately ran out of time to make a pass stick. Palermo (Ferrari of San Francisco) finished third, challenged by Mark Fuller (Ferrari of Westlake) in forth. In Coppa Shell AM, Brian Simon (Cauley Ferrari), Dale Katechis (Miller Motorcars) and Kevan Millstein (Ferrari of San Diego) made up the podium.
Coppa Shell/Coppa Shell AM Race-2. In what was a carbon replica of the Race-1 podium on Saturday, Thomas Tippl (Ferrari of Beverly Hills), Michael Fassbender (Ferrari North America) and Geoff Palermo (Ferrari of San Francisco) climbed onto the same steps of the podium as before. However, while Race-1 was a tense affair with close battles at the very front of the field, in Race-2, Thomas was able to open a larger gap that Michael could never close. The two ultimately finished over nine seconds apart, with Geoff a further three seconds behind that. In Coppa Shell AM, John Megrue (Ferrari of Long Island) validated his Daytona performance with the win, while Kevan Millstein (Ferrari of San Diego) and Brian Simon (Cauley Ferrari) completed the podium.
458 Challenge EVO Race-1. James Walker (Ferrari of Houston) piloted his 458 Challenge EVO machine to victory on Saturday, setting a circuit record for this car along the way with a 2:16.127 second lap. Running last on a jam packed schedule, the 458 drivers benefited from slightly cooler conditions and a smaller grid to enjoy a race uninterrupted by caution periods. While James had a relatively straightforward race, the battle raged behind him with Trevor Baek (Ron Tonkin) taking the second step on the podium over Danny Baker (Ferrari of Palm Beach). Lisa Clark (Ferrari of Beverly Hills) took the Ladies Cup.
458 Challenge EVO Race-2. Martin Burroues made dramatic improvement on his fourth place finish in Race-1 to take victory in Race-2. The Ferrari of Ft. Lauderdale driver finished just over a second clear of James Walker (Ferrari of Houston) and Francesco Piovanetti (Ferrari of Ft Lauderdale). Trevor Baek (Ron Tonkin) was demoted to forth position, in a closely fought battle with Francesco.
XX Programmes – The Evo kit makes its debut on three FXX Ks in Austin
Posted: 11.03.2018 / Source: Ferrari
Austin, 11 March 2018 – This weekend saw the official debut of the Evo kit, unveiled for the first time in November during the Finali Mondiali at Mugello. The new kit has been fitted on three cars, while the first FXX K Evo native cars are expected later in the Corse Clienti season.
Aerodynamic evolution. The most prominent feature of the new kit is the improved aerodynamics, the result of over a year’s work in the wind tunnel, with an increase in downforce thanks to the use of a new twin-profile fixed wing. The two bumpers, front underbody and exhaust pipe have also been revised.
Even better performance. The design of the front brake air intakes has been modified in line with the increased performance of the Evo version of the FXX K, while all data from the new telemetry system are shown on the display inside the passenger compartment. The new steering wheel is easier to handle and even more suitable for intensive track use. This video shows the first images of the FXX K with Evo kit.
Nearly 20,000 hp. The cars of the XX Programmes, starring at the Ferrari Racing Days at the Circuit of the Americas deploy a fearsome near 20,000 hp between them. The FXX, 599XXXX and FXX K cars, on their debut on the Texas racetrack, are putting on a show with their outstanding design and performance.
Excellent consultant. Customers were familiar with the circuit after the inspection on Thursday and then were advised by the special tutor Marc Gené on how to best deal with the various parts of the circuit. The track in Austin is very complete, alternating between fast parts and others that are mixed.
F1 Clienti – V12 engine stars at Circuit of the Americas
Posted: 10.03.2018 / Source: Ferrari
Austin, 10 March 2018 – A long straight and then an incredible surge in which for a moment all the driver can see is the sky. F1 Clienti drivers enjoy this amazing experience on the first curve of the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, where the first Ferrari Racing Days of the season are underway.
Legendary engine. Two 412s, the T1 of 1994 and the T2 of 1995, with the V12 engine used by Prancing Horse single-seaters for years, drew most attention from the fans. Both 412s won races, with the T1 on the track at Austin triumphing in the 1994 German Grand Prix thanks to Gerhard Berger to end a Ferrari drought that had dragged on for three seasons.
Schumacher era. However, cars from the Schumacher era in the first half of the noughties did the lion’s share of the work on track. There were appearances from an F1-2000 and an F2001 belonging to the German champion. There were also a F2003 GA with which Rubens Barrichello won a number of Grand Prixes and a F2004, the record-breaking car that triumphed in 15 Grand Prixes out of 17 that season. An F2008 belonging to Kimi Raikkonen and an F138 from 2013 also made their appearance at COTA.
Prototypes. The Formula 1 cars were joined by two F333 SPs, the Prototype barchetta Sport designed for specially for F1 Clienti customers, which was very successful especially in America, including a 12 Hours of Sebring and a 24 Hours of Daytona. This video shows the best of the F1 Clienti sessions.
Ferrari Racing Days – Over a hundred Ferrari cars ready to invade COTA
Posted: 07.03.2018 / Source: Ferrari
Austin, 7 March 2018 – The first ever Ferrari Racing Days organised on the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, kicks off on Thursday with the first Ferrari Challenge practice sessions. More than one hundred Ferrari cars are expected on the track that hosts the Formula 1 US Grand Prix. These include exhibition cars, which will be found in the paddock, customer cars and track models: those of XX Programmes, the F1 Clienti single-seaters and the cars of the Ferrari Challenge North America.
Event for everyone. The Ferrari Racing Days are something that every car enthusiast, and especially Ferrari ones, must see at least once in lifetime. They are also very family-friendly. The paddock will be teeming with Prancing Horse cars, offering the chance to see up close some of the cars that have made the history of Formula 1, or to take a picture with the current range or even with a classic model, which if it could speak would tell of epic races, transporting the listener way back into motoring history.
XX Programmes. The cars of the XX Programmes will include two FXXs, the first of this very special type of car, along with seven 599XXs and another seven FXX Ks. However, everyone will be waiting for the debut of the Evo kit on three FXX Ks. The latest aerodynamic research applied to the hybrid 1000-plus hp car will make its debut in Austin, while the first cars native to this new configuration are due later in the year.
F1 Clienti. The Circuit of the Americas is home to one of the best-loved Grand Prix. All drivers love racing in the US due to the atmosphere and the passion of the fans. Since the Circuit of the Americas was built, there has also been a spectacular racetrack guaranteed to host a great show. The cars expected include two 412 T2s, packing the latest V12 engine designed by the Prancing Horse for Formula 1. There will also be appearances from the F2000, the F2003 GA and the F2004, all cars that have competed in and won the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis. The fans will also get to see the F138 that raced at Austin in 2013 driven by Fernando Alonso as well as two F333 SPs, the barchetta that won a lot in the 1990s, especially in America.
Ferrari Challenge. Six Ferrari Challenge North America races will take place over the weekend. All the competitors in the four divisions that got underway at Daytona will be there, plus the 458 Challenge EVO drivers whose four-round season begins here. Hollywood actor Michael Fassbender, winner in Race 1 at Daytona will be on track, seeking another podium in Texas.