Ferrari Racing Days – Over 25,000 people at Silverstone for the Prancing Horse
Posted: 24.09.2017 / Source: Ferrari
Silverstone, 24 September 2017 – Two beautiful sunny days made for an unforgettable Ferrari Racing Days at Silverstone from Friday to Sunday. The main European event of the 2017 Corse Clienti season drew over 80 Ferraris including 488 Challenges, 458 Challenge EVOs, and the cars of the XX Programmes and F1 Clienti, including the F60 driven by Marc Gené during the F1 Show, to the venue of the British Formula 1 Grand Prix. Besides the track activities, the over 25,000 fans could go the store to buy official merchandise, or admire the stand with the history of the one-make series cars from the first one, the 348 Challenge, or see all the cars on the market in the current range.
Show. Scuderia Ferrari with Marc Gené put on the most hotly anticipated show. The Spanish driver, at the wheel of an F60, captivated the public with a series of fast laps, classic donuts on the main straight and three simulated pit stops helped by the Prancing Horse mechanics. At the end of the exhibition, Marc and the Ferrari mechanics met with thunderous applause from the public to which they responded by clapping and basking in all the affection.
Programmi XX. Along with Gené, once more on the final day of the event the eyes, ears and hearts of fans were drawn by the Ferrari FXX K, making its debut at Silverstone in a Ferrari event, and the other cars of the XX Programmes. The extraordinary power of the FXX K, with its 1050 hp, 860 of them from the V12 thermal engine and 190 from the hybrid system derived from Formula 1, the roar of its engine and its spectacular lines made it the undisputed queen of this edition of the Ferrari Racing Days.
F1 Clienti. In terms of sound, the cars of the F1 Clienti programme also had their say at Silverstone, with the very special drivers enjoying a taste of the V8 and V10 aspirated engines that wrote some memorable pages of the sport’s history. Marc Gené and Olivier Beretta, very special tutors for equally special customers, helped them fully exploit the potential of the car.
Paddock. In the paddock, the entire Ferrari range attracted the attention of the public although, in particular, many wanted to take a picture of the LaFerrari Aperta, the iconic car of Ferrari’s 70th anniversary whose ongoing celebrations recently culminated with the Fiorano event in early September. However, Britain too has been a venue for big celebrations that continued at Silverstone with an extraordinary parade of cars on Saturday.
Challenge. On Saturday and Sunday the Ferrari Challenge Europe added that soupcon of glamour that only races can provide. The one-make series saw victories for Daniele Di Amato, Philipp Baron, Chris Froggatt and Henry Hassid. The three championship leaders remain Daniele Di Amato in the Trofeo Pirelli, Jens Liebhauser in the Pirelli AM and Johnny Laursen in the Coppa Shell. The next meeting is from 6 to 8 October at Imola.
Challenge Europe – Wins at Silverstone for Baron, Froggatt and Hassid
Posted: 24.09.2017 / Source: Ferrari
Silverstone, 24 September 2017 – The second day of the Ferrari Challenge Europe at Silverstone was packed with drama and entertainment, featuring exciting races, a new winner and some encores by Saturday’s victors. Philipp Baron triumphed in the Trofeo Pirelli, Chris Froggatt won again in the Trofeo Pirelli AM while Henry Hassid once again seized the spoils in the Coppa Shell.
Trofeo Pirelli. The Trofeo Pirelli again opened the day’s proceedings. Philipp Baron (Rossocorsa) started best from pole while Daniele Di Amato was off the pace at the wheel of the 488 Challenge of CDP, to the point that Sam Smeeth (Strastone Ferrari), looking to recover after mechanical problems on Saturday, overtook him and moved into second place. Di Amato was immediately on the tail of the British driver and passed him before setting off after Baron. However, his run was stymied by the race officials who adjudged his overtaking of Smeeth illegal and made him relinquish the position. Di Amato still managed to reclaim second place while Grossmann closed in on Smeeth. The British driver was looking like he would hold off the German when he was involved in an accident with Denmark’s Palle Kjaersgaard who spun in front of him touching his car. Smeeth had to retire in what was a racing weekend to forget for him. Baron recorded his first win of the season ahead of Di Amato, who still tops the championship standings, and Bjorn Grossmann. They were followed in fourth by Alessandro Vezzoni (Rossocorsa Pellin-Racing).
Pirelli AM. The Trofeo Pirelli AM saw another winning performance by Chris Froggatt, absolutely unbeatable on his home track. The driver of the 488 Challenge of HR Owen dominated from qualifying, to the point of even annoying the drivers of the higher class. Behind him Josh Cartu and Martin Nelson put on the best show, with a long fight for third place behind championship leader Jens Liebhauser (Formula Racing). Shortly after mid-race Cartu and Nelson came into contact: the Swede lost many positions and his title chances now appears compromised. The final step of the podium went to Christian Overgaard (Baron Service) while Holger Harmsen (Lueg Sportivo) was the best of the 458 Challenge EVO drivers, overtaking Galip Atar (Octane 126) in the championship standings.
Coppa Shell. The day again concluded with the Coppa Shell, which offered its usual thrills right from the off. Henry Hassid (Charles Pozzi) started slowly, allowing Erich Prinoth (Ineco MP-Racing) to attempt to pull up alongside him on the first corner. In the end the Italian had to drop back but still went into the first turn with a bad trajectory that brought him into contact with Johnny Laursen (Formula Racing) who was forced to go wide and ended up behind Fons Scheltema. The Danish championship leader rapidly overtook the Dutchman of Kessel Racing and went off in pursuit of Prinoth while further back Eric Cheung (Formula Racing) collided with Manuela Gostner (Ineco MP-Racing) putting an end to his race. Hassid continued to gain seconds to record his fifth win in six outings while Prinoth and Laursen fought a wheel-to-wheel duel until a problem forced the Dane to retire. The fight for third place then shifted to the battle between Christophe Hurni and Tadakazu Kojima (Formula Racing) who despite a fast finish failed to pass the Swiss of Team Zenith Sion-Lausanne. Manuela Gostner was once again very aggressive and despite the initial spin managed to overtake Tina Kok to win first prize in the Ladies’ Cup. The next meeting is from 6 to 8 October at Imola.
Corse Clienti 2018 Calendars revealed – Entertainment and excitement on 20 tracks
Posted: 23.09.2017 / Source: Ferrari
Silverstone, 23 September 2017 – The Corse Clienti 2018 calendars are packed with great classics, firsts and welcome returns. The Challenge North America and Asia-Pacific schedules were unveiled in recent days and then during a gala evening at Silverstone came the turn of the Challenge Europe, the XX Programmes and F1 Clienti. Ferrari activities will take place on 20 tracks.
Challenge Europe. The 2018 season of the European championship of the world’s most famous one-make series will return to its traditional start in Monza on the weekend of 23 to 25 March. Then in late April the championship goes to Silverstone in the UK. This will be followed from 11 to 13 May by Spa-Francorchamps and the Ferrari Racing Days, the main event of the European season which expects a record number of F1 Clienti and XX Programmes cars. In early summer one of the season’s big innovation, the night races that will be held at Misano from 8 to 10 June. From 20 to 22 July the 488 Challenge drivers will go to Brno for the time since 2014, while after the summer break the competition will move on the Barcelona track after twenty years, a stage bound to attract competitors and the public.
Challenge North America. The 2018 season will kick off with the North American series, which after a year’s break will again be the support race for the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona, one of the most important races on the endurance scene. From 8 to 11 March the championship will be in Austin for the North American Ferrari Racing Days, while from 3 to 6 May it will be at Laguna Seca.June will see the inevitable coincidence with the Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix, while before the summer break the series will race at the legendary Watkins Glen, one of the continent’s most glamorous tracks. Before the Finali Mondiali, whose venue is yet to be announced, comes a welcome return to Road Atlanta with its thrilling climbs and descents.
Challenge APAC. The Challenge Asia-Pacific also has an exciting calendar, opening together with the Formula 1 world championship at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, Australia, from 22 to 25 March. Two weeks later the Ferrari Challenge will make its first appearance in New Zealand, at Hampton Downs, while the classic Ferrari Racing Days in Shanghai will take place from 24 to 27 May. A Ferrari Racing Days will be also held at Fuji (from 29 June to 1 July), with the 488 Challenges battling it out in the shadow of Japan’s sacred mountain. In late August, the fifth round will be back in the Land of the Rising Sun, but at Suzuka, the world’s most famous “figure eight” layout track. Before the Finali Mondiali, the final round of the season will again be held alongside Formula 1, on the occasion of the Singapore Grand Prix (14-16 September).
F1 Clienti and XX Programmes. The XX Programmes and F1 Clienti calendar is also exciting and spectacular, with nine events plus the Finali Mondiali. It opens in Austin with the Ferrari Racing Days from 9 to 11 March. The following week sees two days of tests (15 to 16 March) on the legendary Road Atlanta track. In April, the scene shifts back to Italy for a special event at Imola from 20 to 22, while May will of course include the Ferrari Racing Days in Shanghai. Late June sees a return to Asia for the Ferrari Racing Days at Fuji from 29 June to 1 July, while before the summer break customers can compete on the demanding turns at Brno for a two-day event that promises to be very interesting. The season’s finale comes when the cars of the XX Programmes and F1 Clienti go to Barcelona (18 to 19 September) and the Paul Ricard (2 to 3 October).
Ferrari Challenge Europe – Di Amato, Froggatt and Hassid win Race-1 at Silverstone
Posted: 23.09.2017 / Source: Ferrari
Silverstone, 23 September 2017 – Daniele Di Amato, Chris Froggatt and Henry Hassid won the first races of the fifth round of the Ferrari Challenge Europe at Silverstone. The races took place during the Ferrari Racing Days, the main event of the European Corse Clienti season featuring appearances from the cars of F1 Clienti and the XX Programmes alongside the 488 Challenges.
Trofeo Pirelli. Racing on Saturday opened with the Trofeo Pirelli. Championship leader Daniele Di Amato, having secured a seventh consecutive pole, set off best beating back early attacks from Philipp Baron (Rossocorsa) and then extending his lead with some fast laps. Behind the first two, Sam Smeeth (Stratstone Ferrari) passed the AM class driver Chris Froggatt, before setting off in pursuit of the leaders. However, the local driver and winner at Silverstone in 2014 soon suffered a technical problem that forced him to retire. Third place thus passed to Alessandro Vezzoni who in turn had to surrender to an attack by Bjorn Grossmann in the 488 Challenge of Octane 126.
Pirelli Am. Chris Froggatt won in the Trofeo Pirelli Am. He had been very strong since qualifying on his home track at the wheel of the 488 Challenge of HR Owen, when he secured a sensational pole position. This season’s stars Jens Liebhauser and Martin Nelson battled it out behind the local driver. The German of Formula Racing eventually prevailed to stretch his lead in the standings to 21 points over his Scuderia Autoropa rival. Christian Overgaard (Baron Service) took fourth, finishing behind his rival despite a total spinout while fighting for fourth place with Josh Cartu (Ferrari Budapest), Tommaso Rocca (Rossocorsa) and Bonamy Grimes (Stratstone Ferrari). Kriton Lendoudis (Formula Racing) was the best of the 458 Challenge EVO drivers.
Coppa Shell. In mid-afternoon, the Coppa Shell offered its usual excitement with many drivers involved in a tooth and nail fight on the British track. Henry Hassid (Charles Pozzi) secured his fourth victory of the season but championship leader Johnny Laursen (Formula Racing) limited the damage by finishing second. An extraordinary James Weiland came third, his best result in the European Championship. Near the finish the Rossocorsa repelled attacks from Switzerland’s Christophe Hurni, driving for Team Zenith Sion-Lausanne. Hassid also won the Gentlemen’s Cup while the Ladies’ Cup went to an on-fire Manuela Gostner who, starting in fifth, triumphed despite suffering a drive-through penalty after contact with Claudio Schiavoni. On Sunday the races start at 2:15 pm and 4 pm local time.
Ferrari Racing Days – Eighty cars on track at Silverstone
Posted: 22.09.2017 / Source: Ferrari
Silverstone, 22 September 2017 – Ferrari Racing Days at Silverstone, the main European Corse Clienti event of 2017, kicked off with the first tests in the Challenge and the opening of the F1 Clienti and XX Programmes sessions. The legendary Northamptonshire track, for years the home of the British Formula 1 Grand Prix, will host 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 activities and a paddock full of attractions as part of the company’s 70th anniversary celebrations.
Ferrari Challenge. Silverstone will be hosting the fifth round of the 2017 season of the Ferrari Challenge Europe. No one has yet sealed a title, and while there are clear favourites in some standings, in others the fight is still wide open. In the Trofeo Pirelli Philipp Baron (Rossocorsa) and local hero Sam Smeeth (Stratstone Ferrari) will attempt to give chase to Daniele Di Amato (CDP), who after missing the Valencia debut has proved invincible with five wins in a row. In the Trofeo Pirelli AM the battle is wide open between Jens Liebhauser and Martin Nelson, with the man from Formula Racing overtaking his Scuderia Autoropa rival in the last race at Le Castellet. The balance of power is also clear in the Coppa Shell, with Johnny Laursen well out in front ahead of Eric Cheung in an affair played out entirely within Formula Racing team. Everything is still up in the air in the Trofeo Pirelli 458 class, exclusively for the 458 Challenge EVO, between Galip Atar (Octane 126) and Holger Harmesn (Lueg Sportivo).
XX Programmes.The cars of the XX Programmes are also eagerly anticipated. This is the Silverstone debut of the FXX K, 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. Thirteen FXX Ks will line up alongside eleven 599XXs and 599XX EVOs, and three FXXs, the first car of this type of programme that can call on exclusive tutors such as Olivier Beretta and Marc Gené.
F1 Clienti. The Spaniard 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 scuderia 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 in July of that year, after the French Grand Prix; The F2003-GA, also world Drivers’ and Constructors’ champion with the German ace, and an F2008 belonging to current Scuderia Ferrari driver, Kimi Raikkonen. Aside from his role as a tutor Marc Gené will also feature on track in the F1 show on Sunday.
In the paddock. The Ferrari Racing Days at Silverstone promises to be a memorable event not only for its track activities. The new paddock of the famous British 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 LaFerrari Aperta, iconic car of Ferrari’s 70th anniversary celebrations, will also put on a good show, while visitors can treat themselves to a gift from the official Ferrari store.