The sun rose over the Homestead Motor Speedway in mid-March to reveal one of the year’s most anxiously awaited events, the Ferrari Challenge. Each of the two races is a 45 minute timed race where 23 Ferrari F430 Challenge cars compete for the best time and the checkered flag. Who was there mingling among 3 or 4-dozen Ferrari F430 Challenge cars? Rezmoto.
“The F430 Challenge was created to allow Ferrari customers a chance to enjoy their cars in a structured competitive environment, racing against other Ferrari owners on the most challenging race tracks in North America. Created as a gentlemen’s racing series, the emphasis in the series is on fair competition among Ferrari owners with support from dealer teams. The series’ goal is to provide a venue for amateur Ferrari drivers who are looking to race the finest and most technologically advanced racing machinery available while perfecting their racecraft in a friendly and collegial atmosphere.” (Source: Ferrari North America)
These are no ordinary Ferrari’s either. “The F430 Challenge retains the same general look and the 490 bhp engine as the road-going version. The car also incorporates a large number of significant track-oriented modifications and a host of new features not previously seen in Challenge cars,” says Ferrari North America. This was never more evident than at the start of the racing. The event spanned over many days, and Rezmoto was present for both of the main challenge races. As the 23 cars entered into the race staged up in the starting grid, you could hear the rumble of the engines from clear across the Speedway. In the early afternoon hours, the green flag dropped on both days of racing. As they rip past you the screaming exhaust note leaves you with only 4 senses remaining. Your mind barely has the opportunity to process the images your seeing; 23 Ferrari’s flying past at breakneck speeds. After the sound of the cars leaves you deaf, the stench of race gas, spent clutch, and glowing brake pad’s hits you like a freight train and scorches your nostrils leaving you with only 3 remaining senses.
For the majority of the race we spent our time in the photography pit adjacent to turn #2. The track is a mixture of the inner road course track and the outer NASCAR oval track. Drivers race around the inner road course then exit out onto the NASCAR straight away that bridges the two sides of the road course. Turn #2 is the second turn after the NASCAR straight away section, so the drivers were coming in quite fast. The buzz of the motors downshifting simultaneously as they enter turn #2 is unmistakable. Its just one of the many notes and tones that drone from these works of art as they rip around the track, any one of which would make Beethoven jealous.
I had the opportunity to speak briefly with the winner of both the first and second days of racing, Scott Tucker. He remarks that it was a, “great race”, and that “everybody is getting stronger. Good competition.” He also said in a humble fashion, “things went my way, so Ill take it.”
“The Ferrari Challenge is one of the numerous “exclusive” experiences that Ferrari offers its customers — and whether owners are actually racing in the series, dining in the luxurious VIP hospitality tents, participating in weekend driving clinics or socializing with those that share their enthusiasm for Ferrari, the weekend provides a unique atmosphere and incomparable experience.” (Source: Ferrari North America).
Even if you don’t have the luxury of being the proud owner of a Ferrari, you can certainly feel just as lucky if you have the opportunity to come to one of the Ferrari Challenge events. We strongly recommend you try to check out an event in your area; we are already making our plans for next year’s event. More details can be found at: www.ferrarichallenge.com
Race Day 1 Gatorade Victory Lane Winners
1st: Scott Tucker (#55)
2nd: Mark McKenzie (#27) – 2008 Rookie of the Year
3rd: Richard Fant
Gentlemen’s Award: Jacinto Peynado
Race Day 2 Gatorade Victory Lane Winners
1st: Scott Tucker (#55)
2nd: Mike Zoi
3rd: Mark McKenzie (#27) – 2008 Rookie of the Year
Special Thanks to the Ferrari Challenge 2009 Top Sponsors:
Pirelli (Trofeo Pirelli)
Motorola
Shell
Avant Air
The Collection
