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Ferrari Racing Days are about to heat up the tarmac at two famous California tracks, Infineon Raceway April 27-29 and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca May 18-20. Revving up the excitement for Ferrari enthusiasts, the Ferrari S.p.A. Corse Clienti department is bringing the FXX and 599XX elite track development cars to both events, with 10 to 15 cars of each type expected.
In another rare treat for Ferraristi, the F1 Clienti program will bring F1 machines from past seasons for track action. Nowhere else can you see such a gathering of legendary Ferrari F1 racing machines. Imagine the wail of a Schumacher-era V10 barking off the rolling hills of the northern California landscape. The sounds and even smells will take you back in time as the drivers bring the Ferrari F1 experience to fans that have likely never seen these cars compete.
The gathering of FXX, 599XX and F1 Clienti cars at a Ferrari Challenge event represents Ferrari racing technology coming full circle: technology once pioneered by Ferrari F1 cars, adopted by Ferrari road cars, brought to their ultimate states of development in the 458 Challenge, FXX and 599XX cars.
The 2012 North American Ferrari Challenge season opened last month on the street course for the IndyCar Grand Prix in St. Petersburg, Fla. The next two races return the full grid of 458 Challenge racecars to the Infineon and Laguna Seca road courses.
Ferrari North America is offering VIP Hospitality Packages for both races, giving fans the best views of the racing along with:
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One (1) day event admission. |
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Exclusive access to the Ferrari Corral Parking for those driving their Ferraris to the events. |
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Access to the Ferrari VIP hospitality area offering premium meal service for breakfast and lunch as well as a full
selection of snacks and beverages throughout the day. |
The registration fee for each VIP Hospitality Package is $125 (USD) per person.
Two Competitions In One
The St. Petersburg Ferrari Challenge race introduced to the North American series two competitions in one: Trofeo Pirelli for the most experienced drivers and, at the same time, within the same race, the Coppa Shell category for newcomers to the series and those racing mainly for the pure thrill and fun of competition. Drivers were assigned to their respective categories at the St. Petersburg race.
Alex Popow won the Trofeo Pirelli category at St. Petersburg, with Robert Herjavec taking first on the podium in the Coppa Shell category. The next two races return the full grid of 458 Challenge racecars to road courses rich with racing heritage.
World Renowned Tracks
The excellence of the road courses reflects the integrity of the Ferrari Challenge series. Known for many years by its original name, Sears Point, the 2.52-mile (4.06 km) Infineon road course in the southern Sonoma Mountains opened in 1968. The track challenges drivers of all skill levels, with its complex series of twists and turns and more than 160 feet of elevation change from its highest to lowest points. The highest point at Turn 3a reaches 174 feet, while the lowest point at Turn 10 is just 14 feet.
Laguna Seca, now known officially as Mazda Raceway, opened in 1957. A Ferrari won the first-ever race, when Pete Lovely took the checkered flag in a 500 Testa Rossa. The 2.2-mile (3.54 km), 11-turn track is famous for a specific section known as “The Corkscrew.” From Turn 8 to Turn 9, the elevation in this hard-left, hard-right maneuver falls 109 feet, or just over 10 stories. Just in the 450 feet of track between the entrance to Turn 8 to the exit of Turn 8A, the elevation drops five and a half stories.
599XX Evo North American Debut
Making its North American debut at Infineon and Laguna Seca Ferrari Challenge events, the 599XX Evo is the final development of the 599 series. Compared to the original configuration of the 599XX, new side-exit exhausts amplify the air-ripping sound of the V12 and help boost its output to 740 horsepower.
These tracks will test the effectiveness of the new active aerodynamic package integrated with the vehicles’ electronic control systems. An active rear wing uses two flaps, with profiles similar to those used in Formula 1. The flaps rotate electronically to adjust the downforce between the front and rear axles, in response to vehicle speed and the cornering maneuver.
Other modifications over the original 599XX configuration include a 77-pound weight reduction, shorter final-drive gear ratio and newly developed Pirelli tires. The 599XX Evo has lapped the Fiorano circuit in 1:15, a full second faster than the FXX and 9 seconds faster than the 599 GTO.
To enjoy the best views and camaraderie with other Ferrari owners and fans,
get your VIP Hospitality passes for Ferrari Challenge races online, or by calling the Ferrari Concierge at 866-551-2828.
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