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The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli series

F430 Challenge

2006 will mark the 14th consecutive year of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli. This series is more than one of the most respected and professional Gentleman's Racing Series. It is the embodiment of the Ferrari lifestyle combining exclusive ambiance with thrilling competition. The series offers F430 Challenge and 360 Challenge owners the opportunity to use their race cars as they were intended. At certain venues classic models compete in a separate series which also may include historic and legendary Formula 1 cars. As a special highlight, the FXX may also be seen going through its paces at select Challenge events this year.

This year the series will welcome the new F430 Challenge, the 8-cylinder berlinetta-derived competition car. The F430 Challenge retains the same general look and 490 hp engine as the road-going version. However, it also incorporates a large number of significant track-oriented modifications and a host of new features not seen in the car currently used in the series, the 360 Challenge, which it joins on the track next season and completely replaces in 2007.

In 2006 the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli racing series celebrates its 13th consecutive season in North America with six events scheduled throughout the year and a final event hosted in Italy. The final in October hosts participants from all over the world and wraps up the season with two days of competition in a festival of speed and performance. This year's North American calendar will kick-off with the first race at the Homestead Miami Speedway in the second week of April. Races will follow at Infineon Raceway in Northern California in May, at Mt. Tremblant in early June, in Montreal in support of the Formula One race in late June, at Road America, Wisconsin in July and at Portland in August.

Ferrari first organised the Shell Historic Challenge back in 1996, for cars built by Ferrari prior to 1982 and in 1999 the series was opened up to include the Maserati marque. There are five events scheduled for 2006 in North America, four of them concurrent with Challenge races: Infineon Raceway, Mt. Tremblant, Road America and Portland. The season debut will be held in January as part of the Cavallino Classic weekend in Florida.

ACTIVITIES FOR FERRARI OWNERS
Ferrari North America organizes a number of special events and racing activities each year to give Ferrari owners the opportunity to share the passion of driving their special automobiles. Last year, Ferrari North America hosted its 7th Challenge Rally in the Napa Valley from August 8th through 13th. In 2005, as in 2004, the Rally reached its limit for participation with 50 Ferrari sports cars; everything from historic models out of the 1950's through modern supercars such as the Enzo Ferrari. The route featured the finest roads in this historic wine making region, sometimes closed to the public for timed special sessions. The rally ended in Monterey just in time for the start of the Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance and surrounding festivities.

FERRARI NORTH AMERICA DRIVING SCHOOL
For the first time ever, Ferrari North America will offer a factory authorized Ferrari Driving School in North America. Located at the Mt. Tremblant race track in Quebec, students will be able to learn the techniques to help control and enjoy their cars at the limit of their ability in an environment where safety is always the top priority. This course is modeled on the Ferrari S.p.A. driving course which focuses on proper driving skills and gives owners the opportunity to experience the full technology of their cars on a closed circuit. The school will run from May until October. Reservations can be made through Ferrari North America or through an authorized Ferrari dealer. The exact dates and costs of the school will be published shortly. The North America Driving School corresponds to the basic "Pilota Ferrari" course taking place in Fiorano. Ferrari S.p.A. has organised a series of different driving courses for over ten years offering, after the basic course, a progressive series of steps leading up to a true racing course.

© italiancar.com.au 16/01/06