Archive for Ferrari Challenge

Canadian F1 Grand Prix Challenge VIP Hospitality & Ferrari F1 Paddock Club Passes now available

By rosella@ferraribeverlyhills.com · Comments (0)
Friday, May 17th, 2013

Ferrari Challenge Logo-230Attention racing fans! Once again the Ferrari Challenge will be supporting one of the most exciting races of the Formula One season, the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix in Montreal. 

Ferrari North America is now offering a VIP Ferrari Challenge pass for clients looking to make the most of their Grand Prix of Canada weekend on June 7th – 9th, 2013.

The package includes: Ferrari VIP seating, located in the Formula One Village Suites on the Formula One Paddock side of the track, Fine gourmet dining (breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages (to include wine and beer as well as snacks)) is served all day for the three days. 
shuttle service is available between the VIP seating area and the Challenge Paddock. VIP Ferrari Challenge guests also receive select Ferrari memorabilia items.

Each pass features:

  • Access to the circuit and the elite Formula One Village and private Ferrari Suite 
  • Access to the Ferrari Challenge Paddock
  • Access to the elevated dining room with a grandstand viewing area 
  • Breakfast and lunch served on Friday, Saturday and Sunday  
  • All day beverage service including a selection of beer and wine  
  • Track Viewing from closed-circuit televisions 
  • Official souvenir programs 
  • Access to the terrace and souvenir boutique adjacent to the elite suites 
  • Shuttle service from the Challenge paddock to the elite suites 
  • Ear plugs 
  • Ferrari memorabilia items
  • Invitation to an exclusive FNA evening cocktail reception on the Saturday June 8th

Cost per pass: $3,250

To Book your pass or more information: please call the Ferrari Concierge + 1.866.551.2828 and request to purchase a VIP pass for the Montreal event.

The Ferrari F1 Paddock Club
The Ferrari Formula One Paddock Club hospitality is offered by the Ferrari Factory and is present at all the F1 races around the world.  It is the only way to get access to the Ferrari pits and pit tours and access to the Ferrari Formula One pilots. 

For more information, CLICK HERE

Ferrari Driving Experience as an Additional Experience
Additionally, the Ferrari Driving Experience located one hour north of Montreal in Mt. Tremblant would be the perfect way for your clients to make the most of their Canadian Ferrari experience at the F1 Grand Prix, and the $10,700 per seat charge and the $950 per guest charge of course count towards your client loyalty target as well. 

The following basic FDE two-day programs still have limited availability and are proximate to the June 7-9 Formula One race:
June 3-4
June 5-6
June 11-12

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Categories : Ferrari 458 Italia Challenge
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Scuderia Corsa’s Jon Becker has podium weekend at Sonoma Ferrari Challenge

By rosella@ferraribeverlyhills.com · Comments (0)
Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

April 29, 2013 – Sonoma, California – Hundreds of classic Ferrari owners and fans descended upon the famed Sonoma Raceway for a sunny and warm California weekend of Ferrari Challenge racing. Ferrari Challenge Sonoma - Podium Race 2Jon Becker, representing Scuderia Corsa, the racing arm of Ferrari of Beverly Hills and Silicon Valley, left Sonoma Raceway Sunday with two trophies for his third place in Saturday’s Race 1 and class victory in Sunday’s Race 2.  This was the first win for Los Angeles based Becker who is currently competing in his third season of the Challenge.  Through hard work and smart driving, Becker has become a consistent competitor for the podium.  Co-team principal Art Zafiropoulo on Becker’s impressive results, said, “Jon has grown to be a great driver in his third season.  He’s worked very hard and the team is extremely proud of his performance.  This is a tough course and today was the first of many wins to come.” 

Becker, surrounded by a cheering Scuderia Corsa crew and his family added “this is a fast course and there were a lot of cars out there but I felt good. Getting third yesterday and my first win today for the team is a great feeling.  I couldn’t have done it without their help.”

As the team packed up and Becker walked through pit row with two giant trophies, it was team principal Giacomo Mattioli who summed it up, “In three years Jon has gone from a Ferrari street driver to a winning race car driver.  That was only possible because of the hard work and dedication he has put in.  Scuderia Corsa congratulates Jon on his performance and his win for our team.”
Ferrari Challenge Sonoma - Scuderia Corsa Jon Becker 458 Challenge
About Scuderia Corsa
Giacomo Mattioli and Art Zafiropoulo created the Scuderia Corsa racing team in 2011 for the sole purpose of supporting the racing needs of Ferrari clients.  Turnkey programs include, GT3 endurance racing, Ferrari Challenge Series and track events.  Giacomo Mattioli is the owner of Ferrari Maserati Beverly Hills and partner in Ferrari Maserati Silicon Valley with Art Zafiropoulo.

Team Sponsors
Sponsors:  Ferrari Beverly Hills / Silicon Valley – North America’s premiere Ferrari dealership group specializing in new and pre-owned sales, Classiche designation work, collision repair and factory trained service and original parts.  Motorola Mobility – owned by Google, fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people’s lives. Hublot– A champion of innovation, Hublot is known for its fine complications and world-class collaborations. The Swiss luxury watchmaker is constantly evolving and looking to the future. BullTracker – An innovative App combined with a portable GPS device to guarantee peace of mind. The App delivers a variety of information from excessive speed to location alerts.  All without incurring in any annual fee.
Ferrari Palm Beach – Providing the exclusive Palm Beach market with a premium inventory of new and pre-owned Ferraris, state-of-the-art facilities and technicians for expert maintenance and repair. Wide World Ferrari – Located in Spring Valley, New York, offering Ferrari customers a premium selection of new and pre-owned Ferraris, expert authorized service and exclusive Ferrari certified body repair.
Ultratech - A pioneer of laser processing, Ultratech designs, manufactures and markets photolithography and laser processing equipment.

For Media Inquiries, please contact:
Charlie Windisch-Graetz (310) 899-2727
Email: press.racing@ferraribeverlyhills.com
Photo: Scuderia Corsa driver Jon Becker at Sonoma Raceway. Photo Credit: Ferrari North AmericaPhoto Credit: Ferrari North America                                                            

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Categories : Ferrari 458 Italia Challenge
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Scuderia Corsa takes on legendary Brazilian track Interlagos in Ferrari Challenge

By rosella@ferraribeverlyhills.com · Comments (0)
Tuesday, April 16th, 2013

Scuderia Corsa Ferrari Challenge Driver Chris Ruud at Interlagos
April 15, 2013 – Sao Paolo, Brazil – Scuderia Corsa, the racing team of Ferrari Beverly Hills, fielded two seasoned drivers for a weekend of competitive racing in the Ferrari Challenge series at the famed Autodromo de Interlagos track in Sao Paolo, Brazil.  Anchoring the Scuderia Corsa Challenge team was 2011 North American Ferrari 430 Challenge Champion, Chris Ruud as well as Brazilian driver João Adibe. 

The circuit, famous for its Formula 1 history and technical sections, represents a dream come true for the Ferrari Challenge drivers.  Getting the teams from cities all across North America to the legendary Interlagos track proved why the Ferrari Challenge has been such a success as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.

 The intermittent rain kept teams looking for the appropriate tire selection throughout the weekend. Friday’s practice sessions helped Chris Ruud improve his lap times significantly while Adibe earned the second fastest lap time of the day.  In Saturday’s Race 1 Ruud ran a spirited race with some great passes under intermittent rain and ended in eighth position in the Trofeo Pirelli class while an unfortunate accident didn’t allow Adibe back on track. Sunday’s qualifying session was cancelled due to wet conditions, and turned into a practice session instead. For the final race the track had dried and the cars went out on slick tires.  Chris Ruud managed to evade a few incidents and run extremely consistent lap times.  He held off several challengers to maintain a 7th place finish on what is considered one of the greatest and most technical racing circuits in the world.

As the team packed up to head to Road Atlanta for this weekend’s Grand-AM race, Scuderia Corsa team principal, Giacomo Mattioli, said, “What a treat to be at Interlagos with Scuderia Corsa! I have been watching F1 racing in Brazil for many years and I really appreciate the opportunity to be here with my team. You know you are in a special place when you take an autovia named Ayrton Senna! The wet track conditions compromised the team performance.  Joao got the worst of it while Chris dealt with them with experience. We are looking forward to the Sonoma race.”
Of his Interlagos racing experience, driver Chris Ruud added, “to experience Interlagos surrounded by the Challenge, 599XX and F1 programs was an unbelievable experience.  The ability to race on a great track with such a vast amount of history and tradition within Formula 1 will always be special to me.  This was definitely a bucket list memory fulfilled.”                   

About Scuderia Corsa
Giacomo Mattioli and Art Zafiropoulo created the Scuderia Corsa racing team in 2011 for the sole purpose of supporting the racing needs of Ferrari clients.  Turnkey programs include, GT3 endurance racing, Ferrari Challenge Series and track events.  Giacomo Mattioli is the owner of Ferrari Maserati Beverly Hills and partner in Ferrari Maserati Silicon Valley with Art Zafiropoulo.

Team Sponsors
Sponsors:  Ferrari Beverly Hills / Silicon Valley – North America’s premiere Ferrari dealership group specializing in new and pre-owned sales, Classiche designation work, collision repair and factory trained service and original parts.  Motorola Mobility – owned by Google, fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people’s lives. BullTracker – An innovative App combined with a portable GPS device to guarantee peace of mind. The App delivers a variety of information from excessive speed to location alerts.  All without incurring in any annual fee.
Ferrari Palm Beach – Providing the exclusive Palm Beach market with a premium inventory of new and pre-owned Ferraris, state-of-the-art facilities and technicians for expert maintenance and repair. Wide World Ferrari – Located in Spring Valley, New York, offering Ferrari customers a premium selection of new and pre-owned Ferraris, expert authorized service and exclusive Ferrari certified body repair.
Ultratech - A pioneer of laser processing, Ultratech designs, manufactures and markets photolithography and laser processing equipment.

For Media Inquiries, please contact:
Charlie Windisch-Graetz (310) 899-2727
Email: press.racing@ferraribeverlyhills.com

Photo: Scuderia Corsa driver Chris Ruud at Interlagos, Brazil. Photo Credit: Ferrari North America

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Categories : Ferrari 458 Italia Challenge
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Becker earns top 5 at historic Daytona International Speedway in Ferrari Challenge

By rosella@ferraribeverlyhills.com · Comments (0)
Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

Ferrari-Challenge-Jon-Becker-230    January 26, 2013 – Daytona Beach, Florida.  As the world prepares for this afternoon’s Rolex 24 At Daytona, the Ferrari Challenge  series did not disappoint race fans at the historic track.  Under sunny skies, 22 Ferrari 458 GT’s took to the track for the 45 minute Ferrari Challenge finals.  When the chequered flag came down, Scuderia Corsa’s Jon Becker of Los Angeles had earned himself a top five spot after starting 8th on the grid.

Of the opportunity to race at Daytona, Becker said, “This is hallowed ground, Daytona is America’s sports car mecca.  It’s a challenging track and very fast.  You gotta love this track!”
Scuderia Corsa technical director Roberto Amorosi, talking about the preparation and set-up required for Daytona said, “when you consider these drivers are reaching 180 mph on the track and going as fast as the GT cars, you’ve got to be very precise on where to brake and how to approach the banking.  The car and tire set-up ended up working very well.”Ferrari-Challenge-start-230

Overseeing the action was Scuderia Corsa team principal Giacomo Mattioli who added, “Jon embodies the true Ferrari Challenge participant.  His 100% commitment over the last three years has taken him from a Ferrari street car driver to 5th place at Daytona.”

Ferrari owners with a desire to compete against other non-professional drivers are offered the unique opportunity to race at North America’s premier tracks over the course of the Ferrari Challenge season.  All of this would not be possible without the infrastructure provided by dealer supported racing teams like Scuderia Corsa, the team of Giacomo Mattioli, President of Ferrari Beverly Hills and Ferrari Silicon Valley.

hospitality-3[1]-230 

About the Ferrari Challenge – Privateers have played an important role in Ferrari’s racing activities from the very earliest days of the brand. Ferrari added a new phase to this tradition in 1993 with the creation of the Ferrari Challenge. This single-marque racing series was designed to allow Ferrari owners to compete with fellow Ferrari owners on some of the world’s greatest racetracks.

About Scuderia Corsa- Scuderia Corsa is the Ferrari Beverly Hills and Ferrari Silicon Valley Racing Team dedicated to supporting client’s racetrack needs. Our Clienti Sportivi have access to the following programs: Ferrari Challenge, Endurance GT Racing, Track Events. Scuderia Corsa’s program is the best in its class thanks to the dealers’ long-standing tradition and expertise in developing “gentlemen racers”. Experience the passion!

For Media Inquiries, please contact:
Charlie Windisch-Graetz (310) 899-2727
Email: press.racing@ferraribeverlyhills.com

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Categories : Ferrari 458 Italia Challenge
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Ferrari Scuderia Corsa achieved top finishing Ferrari at the 2012 Rolex 24 at Daytona

By andrewharbert · Comments (0)
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

2012 Rolex 24, at Daytona International Speedway, January 25-29No. 63 was the top finishing Ferrari at the 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 at Daytona, the most anticipated sports car race in North American motorsports history. At the debut of Ferrari in the GT Series at the 24 Hours of Daytona, Scuderia Corsa came home fifth in its class in the new F458 Italia Grand-Am specification GT3 challenger. The GT class victory went to the No. 44 Magnus Racing Porsche followed by the No. 67 TRG while third place went to the No. 59 Porsche.

Daytona-winning, Olivier Beretta of Monaco, as well as two more multiple Championship-winning drivers, Andrea Bertolini and Toni Vilander did a fantastic job representing Risi Competizione this week end.

With 45 competitors in the GT category, and a total grid of 59 cars, the race promised much and delivered tenfold. No 63 Ferrari F458 Italia Grand-Am started from 11th place on GT grid on Saturday, ran free of any mechanical issues and was only slightly delayed in the pits at the very beginning of the event due to a malfunctioning fueling hose. All three drivers drove superbly, maintaining a steady and quick-lapping pace which even put them at the top of the GT time sheets at one point. The 31 pit stops meant there was some see-sawing of position throughout the race, but the car was never out of the top six GTs once dawn broke. There was tight racing and flag-to-flag competition throughout, and the No. 63 challenged for a podium finish in the final hours of the race.

Giacomo Mattioli, Ferrari Beverly Hills/Silicon Valley Scuderia Corsa President commented “I am very proud of our debut in the Grand Am series. Rolex 24h at Daytona is a legendary race and our Ferrari 458 #63 performed well. I would like to thank Ferrari North America and Risi Competizione for their support. We will be back!”

“We lost a bit of time here and there during the race, and at the end the Porsches were quicker in a straight line and I was in a tow”, Ferrari’s most recently-signed driver, and overall winner at Daytona in 2000, Olivier Beretta, reflected after the race. “I was trying to push hard, but avoid any mistakes, and we ended up fifth. Everyone has seen the Ferrari is fast but we have to remember the Porsches have been racing here for many, many years and we just arrived a few months ago.”

Four time FIA GT1 World Champion and Scuderia Ferrari F1 development driver, Andrea Bertolini commented: “I think we all did a good job and we were really consistent and pushed hard in the dark to make up some time and challenge at a high level in the class. If you consider we’re here for the first time, I think everyone at Ferrari should be proud of this result. At the end, after 24 hours we were on the same lap as some very experienced Porsche teams and highly developed cars so I think this will be one of the strongest cars in the Grand-Am series in the future”.

Double FIA GT2 Champion and Risi Competizione regular in North American racing, Toni Vilander: “I must say that it was a hard race! It was our first time here, we learnt a lot and, if and when we come back, we will be quick when it matters.”

Mindful of its promising and very satisfying debut, Scuderia Corsa with Ferrari Beverly Hills/Silicon Valley will await you to the next North America’s premier twice-round-the-clock event, the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January 2013!

For more information about Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 458 GT3 Endurance Races Programs, please contact Richard Schoenberg at rds@scuderiacorsa.com or 818.782.4691

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Categories : Ferrari 458 Italia Challenge
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2012 Ferrari Challenge Season Details

By andrewharbert · Comments (0)
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

(click to download pdf version)

The 2012 Ferrari Challenge Racing calendar  will once again include some exquisite venues such as the Canadian GP in Montreal, where the Ferrari Challenge is favored as one of the support races. In addition to that we are excited to host once again the Corse Clienti department from Ferrari SpA headquarters with their F1 Clienti, FXX, 599XX categories. Both our California races will be the backdrop for these exciting Ferrari Racing Days.

As per previous seasons the series will be sanctioned once again by Grand-Am Road Racing. Drivers will be required to hold a valid 2012 license in order to participate in the series.

  • March 23-25: Honda GP St. Petersburg support race
  • April 27-29: Infineon Raceway, CA
    Corse Cliente Program (F1 customers, FXX / 599XX)
  • May 18-20: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Raceway, CA
    Corse Cliente Program (F1 customers, FXX / 599XX)
  • June 8-10 Montreal, Canada (Canadian F1 GP)
  • July 6-8: Toronto, Canada (Honda Indy support race)
  • July 20-21: Lime Rock Part, CT
  • September 28-30: Homestead Miami Speedway, FL – TBC
  • TBD: International Ferrari Challenge Finals – TBD

Price of the 458 Challenge car

458 Challenge – $ 286,500 MSRP excluding options, taxes and fees. All cars competing in the North American Challenge series will be required to have the passenger seat option.

Entry Fee packages for the 458 Challenge series

A.1 Full season Registration package

The Season Championship Entry Package is a comprehensive package that includes all 7 North American races

Option A: $55,500; included are a complete set of brake rotors and brake pads

Option B: $45,500; excluding brake rotors and pads

Package purchase deadline is February 17. 2012

Package details:

  • 7 race entry fee
  • Fuel – per series regulations
  • Pirelli Tires – per series regulations (8 tires for 2 races per weekend)
  • Memorabilia item
  • Official SABELT Challenge suit
  • Trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd finishing positions and special achievement awards
  • Special race and season awards
  • Two (2) hospitality tickets – one (1) driver and (1) guest for 6 race events (Montreal only one (1) driver hospitality pass is included, other passes can be purchased upon request)
    * all items in this package pertain exclusively to the 2012 series and cannot be transferred to the 2013 series

A.2 4-Race minimum entry fee

4 Race Minimum: $32,000 – additional races at the single race price given below

Addition races can be purchased at single race price

Package details

  • 4 race entry fee
  • Fuel -per series regulations
  • Pirelli Tires – per series regulations (8 tires for 2 race per weekend)
  • Memorabilia item
  • Official SABELT Challenge suit
  • Trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd finishing positions and special achievement awards
  • Special race and season awards
  • Two (2) hospitality tickets – one (1) driver and one (1) guest for4 race events (Montreal/only one (1) driver hospitality pass is included, other passes can be purchased upon request)
    * all items in this package pertain exclusively to the 2012 series and cannot be transferred to the 2013 series

A.3 Single Race Entry* $10,000

  • single race entry fee
  • single race fuel – per series regulations
  • single race tires – per series regulations
  • single race trophies if earned
  • two (2) hospitality tickets – one (1) driver and one (1) guest for that event (Montreal – only one (1) driver hospitality pass is included, other passes can be purchased upon request)
    * Is intended for new Challenge participants who have significant experience in another series / track activity or are returning Challenge drivers. All Guest Drivers / Single Race Entries require prior approval by the Challenge Committee. please submit all entry requests to the Challenge Series Manager at Ferrari North America 14 days prior to the event (mmcneil@ferrariusa.com)

Car Strategy for 2012

The 2012 Ferrari Challenge season will be contested with the 458 Challenge separated into two categories:

  1. Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli – designated to those drivers with an established racing resume, albeit not professional drivers
  2. Ferrari Challenge Coppa Shell – designated to novice drivers and those who have limited amount of racing experience

For each of the two categories a podium ceremony with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards will be held after each race and both categories have their own seasonal championship. At conclusion of all North American races drivers having competed in at least 3 race events will be invited to participate in the International Finals.

Our sanctioning body, the Grand-Am, will require that any new Challenge participant with no previous history in the challenge have a coach for their first season of competition. The Grand-Am maintains a comprehensive list of Challenge coaches approved to coach in the series.

 

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Categories : Ferrari Challenge Results, Ferrari Challenge Schedule
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Ferrari Introducing scuderia Corsa – Ferrari Beverly Hills/Silicon Valley dedicated Racing Team

By andrewharbert · Comments (0)
Thursday, January 12th, 2012

Scuderia Corsa - Ferrari Challenge North AmericaBeverly Hills & Ferrari Silicon Valley are proud to announce the creation of their racing arm, Scuderia Corsa with the aim to support our clients’ racing needs.

Scuderia Corsa is offering three different programs to our Clienti Sportivi:

  1. Ferrari Challenge
  2. Endurance GT racing
  3. Track events

Ferrari 458 Challenge Series. We are continuing our 10 years collaboration with R3 Motorsports integrating the operations within Scuderia Corsa. Our track record speaks for itself. We are currently reigning champion in the 430 Class and we finished second in the 458 Class. Our comprehensive program is the best in class, and we are particularly proud of developing drives with little racing experience! To find out more, contact Richard Schoenberg at rds@scuderiacorsa.com or 818.782.4691.

Ferrari 458 GT3 Endurance Races. This program has been designed in collaboration with our European partner Vittoria Competizioni and offers our most experienced Clienti Sportivi the opportunity to race in the GT3 class worldwide. The program can be tailored made to participate in the most exciting and historical Endurance races in the world.

Scuderia Corsa is proud to announce the participation to the 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 28-29 together with Risi Competizione. Ferrari Beverly Hills/Silicon Valley clients can enjoy a spectacular view of this new racing chapter with Ferrari’s insiders-only VIP Hospitality Package. For details or to register, go to www.ferrarievent.com/gtracing

Ferrari Track Events for clients. Special track events packages will be offered thought 2012 to Ferrari Beverly Hills/Silicon Valley clients wishing to challenge themselves under controlled racing environment at local circuits.

Tentative Track Events Schedule

  • Mar, 9   Willow Springs, street track
  • May, 4   Willow Springs, street track
  • Jun, 22  Willow Springs, street track
  • Sep, 21  Button Willow
  • Oct, 5    WSIR Road Course

For more information about track events, please contact Richard Schoenberg at rds@scuderiacorsa.com or 818.782.4691.

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Categories : Ferrari 458 Italia Challenge, Ferrari Challenge Schedule
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Ferrari The No 63 Risi Competizione with American Canadian Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am was quickest in GT at the Roar before the Rolex 24 at Daytona

By andrewharbert · Comments (0)
Saturday, January 7th, 2012

Ferrari North America - Ferrari Challenge: 63 risi competizione with american canadian ferrari 458 italia grand am was quickest in gt on saturday at the roar before the rolex 24 at daytona-230The No 63 Risi Competizione with American Canadian Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am of Tony Villander, Andrea Bertolini and Olivier Beretta was quickest in GT at the Roar before the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am is a car specifically built for Rolex Series competition and topped three of five Roar sessions on January 7th. Tony Villander led the second session with a lap of 117.321 mph in the No. 63 Risi Competizione entry he shares with Olivier Beretta and Andrea Bertolini. Beretta led night practice with a lap of 117.133 mph.

Credits: Grand-am.com

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Ferrari Scuderia Corsa with Risi Competizione and American Canadian Racing complete successful Roar before the Rolex 24 test

By andrewharbert · Comments (0)
Saturday, January 7th, 2012

Ferrari North America - Ferrari Challenge: 63 risi competizione with american canadian ferrari 458 italia grand am was quickest in gt on saturday at the roar before the rolex 24 at daytona-230The Risi Competizione with American Canadian Racing team has completed two full and positive days of testing at the Roar before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the opening round of the Grand-Am 2012 Rolex Series – the Daytona 24 Hours.

Running two of Ferrari’s latest GT challengers, the GT3-specification Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am, the Houston-based team and its top-line, highly experienced, international line up of drivers achieved all it set out to do in this last test before the 50th Anniversary running of the Rolex 24 endurance classic from 26-29 January.

The aims for the test were to familiarize the drivers with the both the new car and the 3.56 mile, 12-turn Daytona speedway road course, to work on an optimum set up for the 24-hour event, and to fully test the reliability and durability of the newly-delivered V8-engined F458 Grand Am.

Both the No.62 and No.63 ran well over the two days, with very few teething troubles experienced over the five sessions in which they participated. The biggest ‘problem’ was one unassociated with the car as Gianmaria Bruni was struck down with a high fever and flu-like symptoms and was unable to take part in any of Saturday’s running. He did, however, complete 10 laps on Friday and will be able to profit from his team-mates set up work when he returns for the race.

Only three of the Ferrari drivers (Beretta, Matos and Vilander) had driven at Daytona before, but all were very positive about their experiences over the two days, and can’t wait to return in just over two weeks for the race.

Driver Quotes – Car no. 62:

Giancarlo Fisichella, former Scuderia Ferrari F1 driver and current Le Mans Series GTE-Pro Champion: “As usual, when racing in America, I think there’s a fantastic atmosphere and I feel great about being here. I really enjoyed driving at the Daytona circuit for the first time and on the banking, which is very steep – it was a great sensation! Once I’d got confidence on the track, I was on the pace and the team did a good job. We are going in the right direction with the car set up, have found a good pace, and I’m sure we can fight for a podium finish although the target is obviously to win the race. It will be tough, we know, as there is a very strong GT field.

“It was our first time with this Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am car and we found just a few small problems with the grip level and traction, mostly I think because of the tire compound which is new to us and which we have to get to know better. It will be important for the race to look after our tires as it’s a long race. The night temperatures are very cold so we have to be especially careful leaving the pits on cold tires.”

Raphael Matos, 2008 GT Rolex 24 winner and former Indy Lites champion and 2009 Indycar Rookie of the Year: “I think the Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am performed very well and we achieved what we had planned before the test. We put a lot of miles on the car to see how reliable it is, and now the team will tear it down and find out what we have to look at or improve on for the 24-hour race. As performance goes, both cars were running very well and I got to know all the drivers well; it’s a great group of guys and a great environment in the team and I’m very happy with everything that’s happened this week.”

Driver Quotes – Car no. 63:

Toni Vilander, double FIA GT Champion for Ferrari and Risi Competizione regular: “It’s been a very positive test with the new Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am and we learned a lot over the two days. I’m happy to be here in Daytona and am really starting to understand the full meaning of the Rolex 24 at Daytona – it’s a huge and impressive event.

“As far as the car is concerned, we are used to racing the GT2 car and this GT3 spec car is a bit different so we’ve been adapting our driving style to it for a few days. I think we are improving all the time and working well towards the race so there’s a lot to be positive about.”

Andrea Bertolini, Scuderia Ferrari test and development driver and winner of more GT1 World championship titles than any other driver: “I think we all did a very good job here during this test and worked hard to improve the set up on the car. For me it was the first time at Daytona, and for Oli it was the first time in a Ferrari 458, so at the end of the day we are really happy with the balance and what we achieved.

“The 24 Hours will be really tough, as always, but I think especially in the night. The gap in speed between the Daytona Prototypes and the GT cars (and the different levels of drivers) will be tricky so we have to take care. The night is long here but the lights are fantastic and almost like daylight, compared to somewhere like the Spa 24 hours where it’s very, very dark.

“The banking was a new experience for me and on my first lap on Friday it felt really strange because, if you check in front of you, you see only 50-70 metres and no more because the corner feels really close. But after you’ve done it a few times it feels really good! I spoke with Toni [Vilander] before the test and he told me it’s really easy to do flat out so that was a good advice.

“It’s important now to remain focussed as we have a lot to do before the race. We need to collect all our feedback to prepare the car fully. All the Risi Competizione guys did an excellent job and I’m really proud to be here for the 24 Hours.”

Olivier Beretta, Ferrari’s latest GT signing, multiple GT1 title and endurance champion and winner in 2000 of the Rolex 24 at Daytona: “It’s been a long time that I’ve wanted to drive for Ferrari and finally I’ve got the opportunity to do it so the smile is back [on my face]! The team has been really welcoming and I already knew some of my team mates like Andrea Bertolini and Giancarlo Fisichella well so I feel comfortable here. I think we’ve got a very good line up and team and the test went very, very well. All the drivers want the same thing on the car as far as set up is concerned and that’s good news so now we just have to work harder to achieve our target.

“This is my first time back at Daytona International Speedway since I won here in 2000 with the Dodge Viper and obviously the track has been re-paved since that time. The banking is a lot less bumpy than before but the infield is similar to what I remember…but it is 12 years ago! It’s always nice to be back in Daytona, especially in a Ferrari.”

About Risi Competizione with American Canadian Racing
The Daytona effort, backed by long-time Risi Competizione sponsor Motorola as well as QT Technologies, and supported by a consortium of Ferrari dealers including Ferrari of Ontario, Ferrari of Beverly Hills, Ferrari of Silicon Valley, Ferrari of Ft. Lauderdale, Boardwalk Ferrari, Ferrari of Vancouver, and Ferrari of Houston.

Credits: Risi Competizione

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Ferrari Scuderia Corsa with Risi Competizione and American Canadian Racing announce Daytona 24 hr drivers line up

By andrewharbert · Comments (0)
Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

2012 Roar Before the 24 test sessions at Daytona Int'l Speedway,Houston, Texas, 4 January 2012. With its two-car Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am entry to the Rolex 24 at Daytona recently confirmed, Risi Competizione with American Canadian Racing is pleased to announce its all-star roster of driving talent.

The Daytona effort, backed by long-time Risi Competizione sponsor Motorola as well as QT Technologies, and supported by a consortium of Ferrari dealers including Ferrari of Ontario, Ferrari of Beverly Hills, Ferrari of Silicon Valley, Ferrari of Ft. Lauderdale, Boardwalk Ferrari, Ferrari of Vancouver, and Ferrari of Houston, will present a very highly experienced driving team to contest the 2012 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The line up brings together drivers who have been successful in Formula One, Indycar and the international GT series in North America and Europe and also includes two former Daytona winners. Representing Ferrari in the 50th anniversary running of the twice-round-the-clock endurance classic to be held between January 26 and January 29 will be:

  • Gianmaria Bruni (IT)
  • Giancarlo Fisichella (IT)
  • Toni Vilander (FI)
  • Raphael Matos (BR)
  • Andrea Bertolini (IT)
  • Olivier Beretta (MC)

While several names are well known as Risi regulars, including Gianmaria Bruni, Giancarlo Fisichella and Toni Vilander, there are some highly talented and experienced additions to the line up for Florida’s 24 hour race.

Gianmaria Bruni and Giancarlo Fisichella, who have raced with Risi Competizione previously, had a standout year in 2011 with multiple titles to their names by the time the season ended. Competing in both the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) and the Le Mans Series (LMS), the Italian duo won three of the seven rounds of the ILMC to take for Ferrari the GTE Pro Team and Manufacturer titles, and only narrowly missed out on a coveted 24 Hours of Le Mans victory in June. In the European based Le Mans Series, they won the GTE-Pro Drivers and Team championships. They also drove the winning car in the 2011 Petit Le Mans.

Risi regular, Toni Vilander, a multiple GT race winner for Ferrari in FIA and also in previous ALMS Seasons for Risi, secured in 2011 the Ferrari 458 Italia’s first North American ALMS victory at Road America. Vilander also picked up a win at Imola in Italy in the ILMC series in a 458 Italia. Vilander ran the entire 2011 season for Risi Competizione in ALMS.

Former Indy Lites Champion, Raphael Matos, joined the Risi Competizione team towards the end of 2011 and was one of the first test drivers at Daytona International Speedway for the Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am. The Miami, Florida-based Brazilian won the GT category of the 2008 Rolex 24 Hours and so brings valuable Grand-Am racing experience to the group.

Long time Ferrari GT test and development driver for the Scuderia Ferrari Formula One team, Andrea Bertolini brings to the team an extremely impressive resumé including four FIA GT championships. Bertolini has also previously raced for Risi Competizione in a Maserati MC12.

Olivier Beretta is a five-time ALMS GTS/GT1 champion and has six class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, two FIA GT Championship titles and an overall victory in the 2000 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona to his name. The Monaco resident joins Ferrari after eight seasons with GM’s Corvette Racing team and so is very familiar with US racing.

All six drivers will be present at the Roar before the Rolex 24 at Daytona from 6-8th January.

Credits: Risi Competizione
Picture copyright of: Risi Competizione/Regis Lefebure

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Ferrari Ferrari Beverly Hills/Silicon Valley with Risi Competizione and American Canadian Racing to enter Daytona 24 hrs

By andrewharbert · Comments (0)
Saturday, December 24th, 2011

2012 Roar Before the 24 test sessions at Daytona Int'l Speedway,Houston, Texas, 24 December 2011. North America’s most experienced and successful endurance racing team, Risi Competizione, is returning to the 24 Hours of Daytona for the first time since 2004 with a new association, a new car and what promises to be one of the strongest GT Ferrari driver line ups ever assembled.

Risi will join forces with, and be supported by, two of the key members of the Ferrari North America dealer network and Ferrari Challenge racing series, Ferrari of Beverly Hills/Silicon Valley and Ferrari of Ontario. Risi Competizione with American Canadian Racing will enter two Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am cars in next month’s twice-round-the-clock classic. The 50th anniversary of the 24-hour race will be run between January 26 and January 29, 2012.

Ferrari, the iconic Italian auto company, together with its GT development and manufacturing partner, Michelotto, has designed and developed its latest GT challenger, the Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am, specially for the North American Market.

Based on Ferrari’s European GT3 racer, the new car turned its very first laps at the famous Daytona International Speedway in July of this year under the watchful and experienced eyes of both the manufacturer and its pre-eminent North American racing team, Risi Competizione.

With more production components than the GTE-specification 458 Italia GTC, including different suspension, brakes, gearbox and tires, there will be much for the extremely experienced and able Ferrari squad of drivers to familiarise themselves with. Powered by a higher-output V8 engine than its European GT3 cousin, with over 500 brake horsepower available, the modified braking system helps to balance the regulated absence of ABS and traction control.

The driver line up will boast a five star roster of talent and will be fully confirmed very soon, together with driver pairings for the No. 62 and No.63 entries. Also to be confirmed in due course will be Risi’s further racing plans for 2012.

Credits: Risi Competizione
Picture copyright of: Risi Competizione/Regis Lefebure

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Homestead Miami Speedway Report, September 24-25

By andrewharbert · Comments (0)
Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Following a two-month break, the Ferrari Challenge North America returned this past weekend at Homestead Miami Speedway, where the Gran Finale race bid farewell to the F430 Challenge. The proven F430 Challenge racecars will continue in new roles as club racers and track-day machines.

In the 458 Challenge, points leader Enzo Pottolichio (Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale), the front-runner for much of the 2011 season, took second in the first race on Saturday and won the second race on Sunday. He ended the North American season with 270 points. Going into the World Finals in Mugello, it is mathematically impossible for any of the North American racers to surpass him.

Emmanuel Anassis (Ferrari of Quebec) won the first race at Homestead, quickly moving past pole sitter Pottolichio and dominating through the end. Mark McKenzie (Ferrari of Houston) held third place from beginning to end. A previous series champ, Anassis had only just returned to the series in a new 458 Challenge at the Lime Rock event, where he won the second race; he ended his abbreviated season with 88 points. Anassis also set a new lap record at 01:27:591 on lap two in the second race.

Harry Cheung (Ferrari of Silicon Valley) took fourth and third places, respectively, in Homestead’s two 458 Challenge races. McKenzie took second in the second race.

Cheung and McKenzie go into the World Finals battling for second place in the North American series, each with 208 points so far. Cooper MacNeil (Ferrari of Houston) scored 206 points but did not compete at Homestead.

In the F430 Challenge class, Christopher Ruud (Ferrari of Silicon Valley) took the checkered flag in both races. Ruud is the F430 Challenge points leader going into the World Finals, with 230 points, followed by Juan Hinestrosa (Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale), with 214 and Damon Ockey (Ferrari of Ontario) with 206.

In the F430 Challenge Gran Finale on Sunday, drivers chose teammates to compete. Frank Fusillo partnered with John Farano (Algar Ferrari) to move Fusillo’s F430 Challenge from a fourth-position start to a duel for first against the team of Guy LeClerc and Richard Spenard (Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale), who took second in the Gran Finale.

The Ferrari Challenge World Finals take place Mugello on November 6.

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