Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Officially Official: Ferrari 458 Challenge races in]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/14/officially-official-ferrari-458-challenge-races-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/14/officially-official-ferrari-458-challenge-races-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/14/officially-official-ferrari-458-challenge-races-in/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Ferrari 458 Italia Challenge - Click above for high-res image

The 458 Italia, like any other roadgoing Ferrari, draws its inspiration and development from the Scuderia's considerable racing prowess. Turning the 458 back into a racing car, then, is an extra special feat - one to which Maranello is well accustomed, from the Challenge versions of the 348, 355, 360 and 430 that came before. The new race car will run alongside the F430 Challenge as part of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo next year, the latter of which is also getting a new Asia-Pacific series for 2011 as well.

While the Challenge car maintains the production 458's 5.5-liter V8 drivetrain, it has gone on a substantial diet that includes thinner body panels comprised of Lexan and carbon-fiber. Ride height has been dropped for circuit duty by 30mm, and the Challenge also gets its own suspension bits and setup with stiffer springs, dampers and aluminum bushings. Center-lock 19-inch racing wheels are banded in slick Pirelli tires, and the whole gorgeous Italian parade reins to a halt with Brembo CCM2 carbon-ceramic brakes from the 599XX. In other big news, the 458 Challenge receives F1-Trac electronics that makes use of specific programs that help set the car up for both wet and dry conditions.

All of this information arrives on the heels of the initial spy shots and the video that followed, with Ferrari having issued an official statement (available after the jump) and the image above. In addition, a small batch of photos have crept their way onto the Teamspeed forums, apparently from the vehicle's official unveiling in Maranello. You can check them out at the gallery below.


Gallery: Spy Shots: Ferrari 458 Challenge


[Sources: Ferrari, Teamspeed.com]

Continue reading Officially Official: Ferrari 458 Challenge races in

Officially Official: Ferrari 458 Challenge races in originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>458458 challenge458 italia458Challenge458ItaliachallengeferrariFerrari 458 Italiaferrari 458 italia challengeferrari challengeFerrari Challenge TrofeoFerrari458ItaliaFerrari458ItaliaChallengeFerrariChallengeFerrariChallengeTrofeoteamspeedtifosiWed, 14 Jul 2010 13:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19554105/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/14/officially-official-ferrari-458-challenge-races-in/19554105/article-detail.xml 19554105 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/ferrari-458-challenge-livery-official-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/ferrari-458-challenge-livery-official-630.jpg <![CDATA[2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: The sights and sounds of the Ferrari 599XX]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/13/2010-ferrari-challenge-at-mmp-the-sights-and-sounds-of-the-ferr/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/13/2010-ferrari-challenge-at-mmp-the-sights-and-sounds-of-the-ferr/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/13/2010-ferrari-challenge-at-mmp-the-sights-and-sounds-of-the-ferr/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Ferrari 599XX at Miller Motorsports Park - Click above for high-res image gallery

Without a doubt, the highlight of our trip to Miller Motorsports Park for the Ferrari Challenge this past weekend was seeing the brand new 599XX on track. This is only the second and last time the cars will be in North America for 2010, so it was a special treat to see the cars driven in anger. We gushed earlier about how beautiful the cars look in person, but there's nothing like seeing a 599XX fly down the front straight then hearing the transaxle pull off successive downshifts before the car dives into turn one.

Audio and visuals aside, part of the intrigue of watching the 599XX is knowing how much incredible technology is in the car. For example, there are fans in the back of the car that pull air from the underside and out of ducts near the taillights to increase downforce. How much? The 599XX produces 1,389 pounds of downforce at 186 mph, and after looking through our photos we could actually see the rear spoiler at work, turbulent air swirling up behind the car. There are nine different traction control settings, the 6.0-liter V12 can rev to 9,000 rpm and the new sequential gearbox can bang off shifts in a mere 60 milliseconds.

Of course, we knew we could never get away with just showing you photos (which we have plenty of in the gallery below). So we brought out a video camera to capture some footage of the 599XX on track. Turn up the volume and follow the jump to enjoy the wail of a Ferrari V12.


Gallery: Ferrari 599XX at Miller Motorsports Park


Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading 2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: The sights and sounds of the Ferrari 599XX

2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: The sights and sounds of the Ferrari 599XX originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ferrari 599xx2010 Ferrari Challenge2010Ferrari599xx2010FerrariChallenge599xxcorse clientiCorseClientiferrariferrari 599xxferrari challengeferrari corse clientiFerrari599xxFerrariChallengeFerrariCorseClientiMiller Motorsports ParkMillerMotorsportsParkTue, 13 Apr 2010 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19436810/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/04/13/2010-ferrari-challenge-at-mmp-the-sights-and-sounds-of-the-ferr/19436810/article-detail.xml 19436810 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/leadferrari599xxmmp2010_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/leadferrari599xxmmp2010.jpg <![CDATA[2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: Ferrari FXX is king of the track]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/13/2010-ferrari-challenge-at-mmp-ferrari-fxx-is-king-of-the-track/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/13/2010-ferrari-challenge-at-mmp-ferrari-fxx-is-king-of-the-track/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/13/2010-ferrari-challenge-at-mmp-ferrari-fxx-is-king-of-the-track/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ferrari FXX at Miller Motorsports Park - Click above for high-res image gallery

We were pretty impressed after initially watching the Ferrari F430 Challenge cars turn laps at Miller Motorsports Park this past weekend. After all, each of the cars boasts a 490 horsepower V8 and is set up specifically for racing. You can imagine that they're quite capable of turning insanely quick laps. Then a trio of FXXs took to the track and our definition of "fast" was altered forever.

Despite the fact that it will never turn a competitive lap, the Ferrari FXX is a brutally impressive racecar. The second generation Evoluzione version (pictured above), is Ferrari's most advanced GT car ever built with an 860 horsepower V12, a sequential gearbox that can perform shifts in just 60 milliseconds and a curb weight of just over 2,500 pounds. We might have preferred the beauty of the 599XX, but there was no doubt which car was the most capable of the lowest lap times.

In addition to our photos of the FXXs in the pit lane garages, we also came away from the weekend with plenty of shots of the cars on track. Have a look for yourself in the high-res gallery below.


Gallery: Ferrari FXX at Miller Motorsports Park


Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: Ferrari FXX is king of the track originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ferrari challenge2010FerrariChallengecorse clientiCorseClientiferrariferrari challengeferrari corse clientiferrari fxxferrari fxx evoluzioneFerrariChallengeFerrariCorseClientiFerrariFxxFerrariFxxEvoluzionefxxMiller Motorsports ParkMillerMotorsportsParkTue, 13 Apr 2010 15:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19436809/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/04/13/2010-ferrari-challenge-at-mmp-ferrari-fxx-is-king-of-the-track/19436809/article-detail.xml 19436809 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/leadferrarifxxmmp2010_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/leadferrarifxxmmp2010.jpg <![CDATA[Ferrari F430 Challenge makes first appearance at Miller Motorsports Park]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/12/ferrari-f430-challenge-makes-first-appearance-at-miller-mot/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/12/ferrari-f430-challenge-makes-first-appearance-at-miller-mot/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/12/ferrari-f430-challenge-makes-first-appearance-at-miller-mot/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2010 Ferrari F430 Challenge at Miller Motorsports Park - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Ferrari F430 Challenge isn't on our normal scope of motorsports coverage, but when we heard that the series, along with the Corse Clienti cars, were going to be at Miller Motorsports Park we immediately started checking on flights. This year is the first time the series has come to the state-of-the-art track outside Salt Lake City, and hopefully it won't be the last.

If you aren't familiar with the F430 Challenge, it's a spec racing series put on by Ferrari specifically for owners. Professional drivers, instructors or anyone involved in the sale of Ferraris or parts can't drive in the series. Since each of the cars is exactly the same - a race-prepped Ferrari F430 coupe with 490 horsepower - the playing field is level. Think the races are a bunch of rich guys doing parade laps around the track? Think again. The drivers are extremely competitive and it's not uncommon to see the cars bumping fenders and jostling for position. That was the case at Miller Motorsports Park, where there were several off-track excursions into the Tooele sand and various bits of body panels, splitters and diffusers left on the tarmac.

It makes for good entertainment, and we highly recommend attending any of the four remaining F430 Challenge races in North America this year - Infineon Raceway, Montreal, New Jersey Motorsports Park and Watkins Glen. If you can't make it, then you'll just have to settle for our high-res gallery below.


Gallery: 2010 Ferrari F430 Challenge at Miller Motorsports Park


Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Ferrari F430 Challenge makes first appearance at Miller Motorsports Park originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ferrari f430 challenge2010FerrariF430Challengeferrarferrari challengeferrari f430ferrari f430 challengeFerrariChallengeFerrariF430FerrariF430ChallengeMiller Motorsports ParkMillerMotorsportsParkMon, 12 Apr 2010 19:23:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19436370/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/04/12/ferrari-f430-challenge-makes-first-appearance-at-miller-mot/19436370/article-detail.xml 19436370 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/leadf430challengemmp2010_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/leadf430challengemmp2010.jpg <![CDATA[The Little Nürburgring: Ferraris in their Natural Habitat at Mont Tremblant]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/the-little-nurburgring-ferraris-in-their-natural-habitat-at-mon/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/the-little-nurburgring-ferraris-in-their-natural-habitat-at-mon/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/the-little-nurburgring-ferraris-in-their-natural-habitat-at-mon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


2009 Ferrari Challenge at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've always found the idea of going on safari or a diving expedition rather intriguing. But while we can appreciate those willing to spend their precious vacation time and hard-earned cash to see nature's most beautiful creatures in their natural habitats, most of us here at Autoblog aren't exactly the nature-adventure types. We're car guys. The Ferrari Challenge... now that's more like it.

Like a lion in the Sahara or a bear in the forest, Ferraris belong on the race track. But the unfortunate reality is most end up sitting in tiled garages adjoining big mansions in prestigious locations. We get to see more than most, but more often than not they're perched on an auto show stand under floodlights and flash bulbs. So when Ferrari invited us to join them at the legendary Circuit Mont Tremblant for a round of wheel-to-wheel racing, we could hardly resist. Follow the jump for more.


Gallery: 2009 Ferrari F430 Challenge at Mont Tremblant


Gallery: 2009 Ferrari Historic Challenge at Mont Tremblant


Photos copyright (C)2009 Noah Joseph / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading The Little Nürburgring: Ferraris in their Natural Habitat at Mont Tremblant

The Little Nürburgring: Ferraris in their Natural Habitat at Mont Tremblant originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>250 gto250Gto430 challenge430Challengecanadian grand prixCanadianGrandPrixcircuit mont tremblantcircuit mont-tremblantCircuitMont-tremblantCircuitMontTremblantf430 challengeF430Challengefeaturedferrariferrari 250 gtoferrari 430 challengeferrari canadaferrari challengeferrari f430ferrari f430 challengeferrari gtoferrari historic challengeferrari quebecFerrari250GtoFerrari430ChallengeFerrariCanadaFerrariChallengeFerrariF430FerrariF430ChallengeFerrariGtoFerrariHistoricChallengeFerrariQuebecgtohistoric racingHistoricRacingle circuit mont tremblantle circuit mont-tremblantLeCircuitMont-tremblantLeCircuitMontTremblantlittle nurburgringLittleNurburgringmont tremblantmont-tremblantMontTremblantquebectremblantTue, 28 Jul 2009 19:56:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19111436/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/28/the-little-nurburgring-ferraris-in-their-natural-habitat-at-mon/19111436/article-detail.xml 19111436 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/fertrem09-challenge-14_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/fertrem09-challenge-14_opt.jpg -1 2