Ferrari Challenge Europe – Smeeth gains the title, wins for Lovat and Grossmann
Posted: 11.09.2016
Source: Ferrari
Hockenheim, 11 September 2016 – Day two of Round 5 of the Ferrari Challenge Europe at the Ferrari Racing Days of Hockenheim. The headline of the day is that a first 2016 title has been secured; it belongs to Sam Smeeth, who earned the Trofeo Pirelli Am championship, together with his sixth race win. In Coppa Shell, another success for Rick Lovat and a key win for Bjorn Grossmann, who increases his lead over Philipp Baron in the Trofeo Pirelli.
Pirelli Am. Sam Smeeth had a virtually perfect season. The driver of Stratstone Ferrari earned his sixth win in nine races and clinched mathematical certainty of the title with two races still left in the calendar. The start of the English driver today was not one of his best, as he ended wide at the first turn and damaged his 458 Challenge EVO. However, he was able to regain first place already on the second lap, by overtaking Martin Nelson (Scuderia Autoropa). Third place went to Henrik Hedman (Scuderia Autoropa) who finished ahead of Tommaso Rocca (Rossocorsa), the only driver who could still challenge Smeeth for the title.
Trofeo Pirelli. Once again, the Trofeo Pirelli race bore the mark of the Octane 126 team. While Fabio Leimer had no rivals on Saturday, Bjorn Grossmann won Race-2. He overtook his teammate (who was having obvious tyre problems) two laps from the finish. On the strength of this success, Grossmann again increased his lead over his rival Philipp Baron (Rossocorsa), who could do no better than third place in the Hockenheim afternoon. Once again, with remarkable consistency, Alessandro Vezzoni (Rossocorsa-Pellin Racing) finished fourth, ahead of Marcello Puglisi (Rossocorsa).
Coppa Shell. Just like Saturday the Coppa Shell race opened the schedule with an exciting race. At the start, Rick Lovat (Kessel Racing) was able to keep the lead ahead of Thomas Loefflad (StileF Squadra Corse) and Erich Prinoth (Ineco-MP Racing). However, the two made contact at the hairpin and Loefflad suffered the most, also involving Eric Cheung (Motor Service). Therefore, Thomas Gostner (Ineco-MP Racing) found himself behind Lovat and Prinoth and was quickly pressured by Fons Scheltema. The two came into contact and Gostner was on the losing end, even if, shortly after, a drive through came into effect for the Dutch Kessel Racing driver. At this point, Claudio Schiavoni (Scuderia Niki) found himself in third place, but shortly after he was challenged and overtaken by Jean-Claude Saada (Rossocorsa) and Kriton Lendoudis (Motor Service). Lovat finished a couple of seconds ahead of Prinoth, after clocking the fastest lap; Saada finished third conquering his first podium in the European series. Lovat and Prinoth also were first and second in Coppa Gentlemen, with Scheltema third, after a comeback to fourth place overall. Loefflad continues to lead the standings while Lovat has increased his advantage in Coppa Gentlemen. Manuela Gostner (Ineco-MP Racing) won the Ladies Cup race.
Ferrari Racing Days – Vettel delights fans in Hockenheim
Posted: 11.09.2016
Source: Ferrari
Hockenheim, 11 September 2016 – The Ferrari Racing Days of Hockenheim closed in grand style: on the final day, Sebastian Vettel and Scuderia Ferrari put on an impressive display for 7,000 spectators that included Ferrari supporters and motorsport fans in general. This means that during the weekend more than 10,000 tifosi filled the Hockenheim grandstands. The show of the most winning Formula 1 team was performed alongside the other activities of the Corse Clienti: the incredible cars of the XX Programmes, the single seaters of F1 Clienti, and the 458 Challenge EVO of Ferrari Challenge Europe, which experienced Round 5 of the season on the German track.
The show of the Scuderia. On Sunday the spotlight belonged to the Scuderia Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel, the team’s official driver who will compete in the Singapore GP next weekend. Sebastian shot out of the starting grid in a spectacular simulation of a Grand Prix start; then he demonstrated a few super-fast pit stops together with the mechanics of the Maranello team, before indulging in a few supercharged accelerations and the now obligatory burnouts with smoking tyres. After an adrenaline-loaded half hour, spectators on the stands rushed to the paddock to take a photograph of one of the best-liked drivers or to obtain his autograph.
The magic of Formula 1. In addition to the F2012 driven by Vettel, the audience was able to enjoy the sight of the other cars of the F1 Clienti as they raced around the track. As one might expect, the red cars of the Michael Schumacher era of the Scuderia were very eagerly awaited. The audience was filled with excitement at the sight of the winning single-seaters racing at over 300 km/h, among them the F2002 or F2003-GA, but also the 248 F1, with which the great German driver came very close to winning his eighth world title, which eventually went to Fernando Alonso. And speaking of the Spanish driver, the F10 from 2010 and the F150° Italia from 2011 also gave a great show.
The FXX K. The FXX K did not fail to attract the attention of the spectators both on the track and in the paddock. The latest car born among those of the XX Programmes surprised because of its beauty and performance, with its 1,050 HP supplied by a hybrid power unit derived from Formula 1. Its 6 litre, V12 thermal engine supplies 860 HP to which 190 HP generated by the electrical power unit (the result of the most advanced technologies) must be added.
Sport and Passione. Racing fans were not disappointed either: the two races of the Challenge Europe provided excitement and a great show, as did the cars of Passione Ferrari, which attracted to the Hockenheim track hundreds of customers, some of whom had the chance to test on the track the full power and technology of their cars. The next event of the Challenge Europe will be in Jerez de la Frontera in early October, while those wishing to see other activities of Corse Clienti will have to wait for the Homestead event, in United States in early November.
Ferrari Challenge Europe – Hockenheim smiles on Lovat, Leimer and Smeeth
Posted: 10.09.2016
Source: Ferrari
Hockenheim, 10 September 2016 – Day 1 of Round 5 of Challenge Europe, in the framework of the Ferrari Racing Days of Hockenheim, saw wins for Rick Lovat, Fabio Leimer (the first in the Ferrari one-make series), and Sam Smeeth who is now close to the title in Pirelli Am class.
Coppa Shell. The Coppa Shell opened the schedule for the day, with a race filled with individual duels. Rick Lovat (Kessel Racing) had a perfect start, pursued by Thomas Loefflad (StileF Squadra Corse) and Erich Prinoth (Ineco-MP Racing). During the third lap Lendoudis (Motor Service) overtook teammate Eric Cheung to take fifth place. The Ladies Cup was decided three laps later, when a motivated Deborah Mayer (Scuderia Niki) went by Manuela Gostner (Ineco-MP Racing) at the hairpin bend. Two interesting duels for points developed in the late laps: Vladimir Hladik (Scuderia Praha), author of a great comeback, overtook Tommy Lindroth (Baron Service) for seventh place, while Claudio Schiavoni (Scuderia Niki) overtook Christian Kinch (Gohm Motorsport) for ninth. At the finish line Lovat, who also clocked the fastest lap, came in ahead of the championship leader Loefflad and Prinoth and also won the Coppa Gentlemen, thus taking the lead in the standings 3 points ahead of Scheltema (Kessel Racing).
Trofeo Pirelli. The Trofeo Pirelli delighted spectators with an emotion-filled race from the very start. Fabio Leimer (Octane 126) made a perfect start entering the first turn ahead of Philipp Baron (Rossocorsa) and Bjorn Grossmann (Octane 126). On the very first lap, the race was neutralised by the Safety Car caused by Galip Atar, Jan Danis and Huilin Han; however, on re-start, Leimer took off again, also clocking the fastest lap of the race. The Swiss driver (a former GP2 champion), took a commanding lead, helped also by the duel between Baron and Grossmann who did not shy away from struggling tooth and nail against each other. Grossmann set up the overtake at the hairpin and completed the manoeuvre before entering the Motodrom. At the finish, Leimer came ahead of Grossmann, who strengthened his championship lead, and Baron. The fourth place of Alessandro Vezzoni (Rossocorsa-Pellin Racing), the fifth of Marcello Puglisi (Rossocorsa), and the sixth of David Gostner (Ineco-MP Racing) are worthy of mention.
Pirelli Am. In the Trofeo Pirelli Am, Sam Smeeth, is now close to clinching the title after his fifth win of the season. After a somewhat less than perfect start, the Stratstone Ferrari driver was able to pass Martin Nelson (Scuderia Autoropa) and to rush ahead, leaving Nelson, Henrik Hedman (Scuderia Autoropa) and Jens Liebhauser (Gohm Motorsport) to battle for the lower steps of the podium. About half way through the race, the German attacked Hedman at curve 1 but went too far, sideswiping Nelson and wrecking his own race. Hedman thus took second, while Tommaso Rocca (Rossocorsa) climbed the third step of the podium. Tomorrow’s schedule opens at 2:20 p.m. with Race-2 of the Coppa Shell, that will start right after the Ferrari Show with Sebastian Vettel and the Scuderia Ferrari.
F1 Clienti – Thirty-seven years of history on the Hockenheim track
Posted: 10.09.2016
Source: Ferrari
Hockenheim, 10 September 2016 – What do a 312 B3 from 1974, a F1-91 from 1991 and a 2011 F150° Italia have in common? They are all F1 cars and they are among the single-seaters participating in the Ferrari Racing Days under way at the Hockenheimring.
Ageless display. The F1 Clienti event is one of the most anticipated activities of all Ferrari Racing Days. Its stars are iconic cars that have made history in Formula 1 and that, with the roaring of their engines, evoke fond Ferrari-red memories in the minds of the tifosi. On the other hand, customers find it especially exciting to go around famous tracks such as that of Hockenheim before so many fans. This weekend, cars separated in age by 37 years will be on the track.
The 312 B3. It was the year 1974 and Niki Lauda had just joined Ferrari. The Scuderia was about to enter its glory years, which, notably, coincided with the generation of the 312T, in its many variants. In that distant 1974 Lauda was already able to stand out with the 312 B3, while his teammate Clay Regazzoni came very close to winning the world championship. This was one of the most admired cars in Hockenheim as was the F1-91, a beautiful single seater, which, however, did not enjoy great success with Alain Prost and Jean Alesi at the wheel.
The more recent cars. The public was also able to admire the customers at the wheel of the most successful cars: the F2002, the record-breaking car driven by Michael Schumacher (who won the title as early as July) and Rubens Barrichello, the F2003-GA, but also the 248 F1, the F2007, which won the Drivers’ championship with Kimi Raikkonen, the 2008, which dominated the manufacturers’ championship, the F10 and, finally, the F150° Italia, single-seater on which Fernando Alonso won first place in Silverstone in 2011.
Thomas Loefflad introduces the Hockenheimring
Posted: 10.09.2016
Source: Ferrari
Hockenheim, 10 September – Coppa Shell championship leader Thomas Loefflad introduces us to the Hockenheimring track home of the fifth round of the Ferrari Challenge Europe. The StileF Squadra Corse driver talks about the track, one of the most iconinc in Europe and his car, the 458 Challenge EVO. Thomas will be one of the men to watch in this weekend’s races.
XX Programmes – Over 32,000 horse(power)s on the Hockenheim track
Posted: 09.09.2016
Source: Ferrari
Hockenheim, 9 September 2016 – Today is the first of the Hockenheim Ferrari Racing Days, second event of the European season. On this first day, which included the free practice of the fifth Ferrari Challenge Europe (Trofeo Pirelli and Coppa Shell) and the first F1 Clienti sessions, the other Ferraris on the track had to share the limelight with the cars of the XX Programmes, the FXX, the 599XX, and especially the FXX K, an extraordinary car, whether by aesthetic, technological, or engine power standards.
Boundless power. The 35 cars involved in the sessions reserved to the special XX Programmes unleashed more 32,000 horsepowers onto the racetrack. The spectacle displayed by the 21 FXX K was especially noteworthy. The car is a true jewel: its lines are shaped by the wind and its 1,050 horsepower engine descends from Ferrari’s F1 experience. In fact, the car is powered by a hybrid engine: 860 HP are provided by the 6-litre V12 thermal engine and the balance by the hybrid system derived from racecars.
FXX and 599XX. The eleven 599XX and three FXX completed the exceptional display offered by the XX Programmes. The 599XX is powered by a motor of about 700 HP and is characterised by highly sophisticated aerodynamics, which make it possible to suck the air from under the car’s floor, thus generating a ground effect that causes the car to adhere to the track and improves its performance. On the other hand, the FXX is the progenitor of this type of activity. It is equipped with an engine of about 800 HP that offers to the customers-test drivers who own it an exciting, adrenaline-filled driving experience.
Challenge Europe – Trofeo Pirelli: Grossmann wants to pave the road for title
Posted: 09.09.2016
Source: Ferrari
Hockenheim, 9 September 2016 – This weekend, the Ferrari Challenge Europe will be featured as the third to last event of the season, in the context of the Hockenheim Ferrari Racing Days. Two favourites stand out in the Trofeo Pirelli and in the Trofeo Pirelli Am, but the level of the drivers is so even and so high that upsets cannot be ruled out.
Trofeo Pirelli. Bjorn Grossmann is the obvious favourite in the main class. After a slow start, the Octane 126 team’s driver took four of the last five races and took the lead in the standings. The reigning Ferrari Challenge Europe champion is at home in Hockenheim and will attempt to increase his lead over his main rivals, the pair from the Rossocorsa team of Philipp Baron and Marcello Puglisi, each one of whom has four podiums to his credit. The other racers to watch are Alessandro Vezzoni (Rossocorsa-Pellin Racing), David Gostner, and Fabio Leimer, a Swiss driver and former Gp2 champion, who started out with two second places at the Sochi event for the Octane 126 team.
Pirelli Am. In Trofeo Pirelli Am, Sam Smeeth can start to smile, as the title seems to come ever closer. The British driver of Strastone Ferrari will try to gain a handful of points over his main rivals, namely John Farano and Tommaso Rocca of Rossocorsa and Martin Nelson of Scuderia Autoropa. In fact, if he leaves Hockenheim 91 points ahead of the first of his rivals, he will be mathematically certain to gain the championship.
Schedule. The two races of the Trofeo Pirelli are scheduled for Saturday at 5:15 p.m. and Sunday at 4:35 p.m. To get into a race mood, here are the highlights of the latest event held at the Sochi Autodrom.
Ferrari Challenge Europe – Coppa Shell: Loefflad aims at a fifth win
Posted: 08.09.2016
Source: Ferrari
Hockenheim, 8 September 2016 – The Ferrari Challenge Coppa Shell is back in action this weekend at the Hockenheim track, and Thomas Loefflad, the German driver of the StileF Squadra Corse team, is determined to hear his national anthem being played at the Baden-Württemberg circuit. Loefflad leads the standings on the strength of the four races which he has already won this season. However three strong and determined rivals who follow him in the standings are ready to complicate his life.
In hot pursuit. They are Fons Scheltema and Rick Lovat, both with Kessel Racing, and the inexhaustible Erich Prinoth who is back on the track with the car of the Ineco-MP Racing team after skipping the Sochi event. The three are also in contention for the Coppa Shell in which they are spread over a range of just 22 points.
Ladies Cup. There is a very tight race also among the women of the Ladies Cup. At the moment, Manuela Gostner and Deborah Mayer share first place in the standings. However, Corinna Gostner is only two points behind; therefore, a good race at Hockenheim could upset the standings.
Schedule. On Saturday, the Coppa Shell will open the schedule, with a 3:00 p.m. start. On the other hand, on Sunday, the race will start at 2:20 p.m., shortly after the exhibition of Sebastian Vettel with the Scuderia Ferrari. This video will show us once again the highlights of the race held in Sochi in late July.
Ferrari Racing Days – Vettel on track at Hockenheim on Sunday
Posted: 07.09.2016
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 7 September – Sebastian Vettel and Scuderia Ferrari along with the F1 Clienti cars, the cars of the XX Programmes and the forty 458 Challenge of the Ferrari Challenge Europe, will serve up thrills and passion at the Hockenheim circuit, near Heidelberg, where the Ferrari Racing Days begin on Friday. This is the second event of the 2016 European season after the one held in Sochi at the end of July.
Vettel and the Scuderia. Obviously Sebastian Vettel is the star attraction in his second exhibition at a Ferrari Racing Days with Scuderia Ferrari. The fans will flock to see the four-time world champion and local hero (from Heppenheim, less than 50 km away) on Sunday when he will be in action at the wheel of a F2012 with which he will perform fast laps, lightning starts and thrilling tyre changes.
F1 Clienti. The other Formula 1 single-seaters will put on a great show on all three days of the event. The F1 Clienti cars range from a 312 B3 of 1974, in which Niki Lauda became famous and with which Clay Regazzoni nearly won the world title, to the F150° Italia in 2011, two of which will be present, both driven in the World Championship by Fernando Alonso. They cover a period of 37 years of Formula 1 history. Helping the customers to fully enjoy their cars there will be two very experienced tutors: Olivier Beretta e Marc Gené.
The charge of the FXX Ks. The eye of the public and media will also be captured by the latest cars of XX Programmes, the FXX Ks which will be driven by its very special owner-test drivers. There will be 21 specimens of this incredible car, with its 1050 hp hybrid, which should provide a fantastic sight for fans flocking to Hockenheim from Friday. In addition to these amazing jewels there will also be the other cars of the XX Programmes, with eleven 599XXs and three FXXs, the car that gave rise to this Corse Clienti initiative.
One-make championship. The competitive spirit that is etched into the DNA of Maranello will also be present at Hockenheim, where it will be embodied to perfection by the Ferrari Challenge Europe and the two Trofeo Pirelli and Coppa Shell races on Saturday and Sunday. These races will be as hard fought and entertaining as always, with wheel-to-wheel duels and great driving performances from the 40 drivers of the 458 Challenge EVOs. Everything is still to play for in the three championships, although the Hockenheim stage could be decisive as after this weekend there will be only two races at Jerez de la Frontera, in October, and the two at the Finali Mondiali at Daytona to be held for the first time in the United States from 1 to 4 December.
Not just track. Of course there will be activities on the track, but there will also be a paddock packed full of attractions. Above all, there will be the entire range of current Ferrari road cars, including the 488 GTB, GTC4Lusso and California T, the perfect car for this time of year. The paddock will also host a big range of leisure activities for both children and adults in a three-day event perfect for families, chock-full of excitement, and dedicated to the world of Ferrari.