News May 24 2006

F430 GTC wins race debut

The Ferrari F430 GTC has proved a dominant force in the opening round of the newly created European FIA GT3 series, held at the UK's Silverstone race track on the weekend 6/7 May.

In the one GT (Grand Touring) race, the Ferrari F430 GTC of Bobbi/Melo (AF Corse) won on its debut in the GT2 class, with the sister car crewed by Salo/Aguas in third place at the flag, with the Porsche of Collard/Riccitelli in second. There were no Prancing Horse cars in the GT1 category, with victory going to Bartels/Bertolini (Maserati) beating Bert/Janis (Saleen) and Gollin/Babini (Aston Martin).

In the FIA GT3, the Ferrari F430 Challenge of Simonsen/Lester (JMB Racing) won the opening race and was second in race 2, beaten by the Dodge of Ceccato/Livio. France's Ange Barde (Modena Cars) did the double after winning on Saturday in the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy, featuring the new F430.

Second and third respectively went to Dutchman John Bosch (Barron Racing-Kroymans) and Ross Kaiser (Ferrari GB Dealer Team) with a photofinish. Italy's Sandro Mucelli (Ineco) also won again in the separate class for the 360 Modena, in its final year in the series. In race 2 for the Shell Cup for gentlemen drivers in the same Ferrari one-make series, the winner was the crew of Huebner/Huebner (Autohaus Ulrich) ahead of Coleman/Flux (Kessel Racing) and Frank Gelf (Eberlein Kassel.)

Featuring 50 of the all-new Ferrari F430 Challenge racing cars this was the first chance to see how the new car goes in a tough competitive environment with drivers from across the world.

"The Ferrari Challenge is the ultimate expression of luxury lifestyle racing and through the Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB we offer clients a real racing experience by combining the knowledge of our own dealers and the UK's unique racing heritage," explains Ferrari GB Managing Director Massimo Fedeli. "Whilst our clients will all enjoy the racing experience with only the best hospitality and entertainment in our new suite at Brooklands, we are serious in our aim to win the championship starting with our home race in Silverstone.'

The opening round of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli also saw the unveiling of Ferrari's brand new suite at the Silverstone circuit. Ferrari's guests can now enjoy the racing from the Brooklands Suite, a purpose built luxury facility with the best views across the circuit and the finest Italian hospitality.

The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli is the world's most exclusive single-make racing series created as the perfect outlet for Ferrari owners who want to race. The 2006 season includes races in the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, climaxing at the World Finals in Italy all delivered in the style and luxury associated with any Ferrari occasion.

The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli was created and is organised by Corse Clienti, a division of Ferrari S.p.A. dedicated to racing activities for Ferrari clients. More information about the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli can be found at www.ferraricorseclienti.com

The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli features the Ferrari F430 Challenge race car and all cars are provided by Ferrari S.p.A. to the same technical specification. In 2006 The Ferrari 360 Challenge car will also feature in the Coppa Shell before retiring form the championship at the end of the season.

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Race Calendar

ROUND DATE CIRCUIT COUNTRY

1. 1 5-6-7 May Silverstone United Kingdom
2. 2 2-3-4 June Valencia Spain
3. 3 23-24-25 June Spa-Francorchamps Belgium
4. 4 7-8-9 July Monza Italy
5. 5 28-29-30 July Paul Ricard France
6. 6 1-2-3 September Nürburgring Germany
7. 7 27-28-29 October TBA Italy

© italiancar.com.au 15/05/06