Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB heads to Misano
This weekend (20-21-22 April), in its second full year of competition in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli European Championship, the Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB is heading to the Italian track of Misano, after an exciting start at Monza’s circuit in March. The International circuit of Misano, a few kilometres from Rimini and Riccione, is characterised by the high number of curves and chicanes linked by some high speed straights. One of the most spectacular corners is the technically demanding Misano, found at the end of the start-finish straight. Tramonto is found at the end of the main long straight and is ideal overtaking terrain. The new part of the track features a challenging series of curves, the Arena chicane, Rio curve and the Parco chicane, from where it is back into the home straight.
The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli remains one of the most exclusive and exciting racing series for clients who crave the thrill of competing in motor sport driving one of the world’s most rewarding race cars, the Ferrari F430 Challenge. With a 490hp V8 engine, every car is equally matched to ensure that competition remains intense throughout the 40 minute endurance races at the premiere race circuits around Europe. There are two separate classes in the championship: the Trofeo Pirelli for seasoned competitors, and the Coppa Shell for clients who are new to racing. New for 2007 is a special “Young Drivers Cup” which is reserved for drivers competing in the Trofeo Pirelli category under the age of 30.
This year, the Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB has five cars, with two cars competing under the Team Vertu Racing banner and three cars in Ferrari Challenge Dealer team GB livery, driven by Ferrari clients who are taking part in the world’s most prestigious racing series for gentleman drivers. Driving for Ferrari Dealer Team GB in the Coppa Shell series will be Peter Bamford, car 151, in its second year as Ferrari Dealer Team GB driver, and four new drivers to the series, Daniel Waechter and Peer Slipsager in car 153, Yannick Mallegol and Jean Marc Bachelier in car 154. Team Vertu Racing drivers are Nathan Kinch in Car 27 competing in the Trofeo Pirelli Europe series and Jamie Constable in Car 152 in Coppa Shell. In a five-car team this weekend, the Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB will look to get on the podium after a wet and spectacular start in Monza last month.
The Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB is supported by expert technicians from Ferrari GB and the Ferrari Dealer Network in the UK – Graypaul of Nottingham, HR Owen in London and Maranello Sales Ltd in Egham, Surrey – and competes in both the Trofeo Pirelli and Coppa Shell categories of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli European Championship. The team’s stable of race-prepared F430 Challenge cars are fitted with GPS telemetry which enables the drivers to see a whole array of technical data and compare it with other members of the team to shave a few tenths of a second off their lap times. And, with dedicated hospitality for the drivers which is the envy of the pitlane, the Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB continues to set the standard both on and off the track.
The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli
It was in 1993 with the Ferrari 348 Berlinetta that the Ferrari Challenge first took to the race tracks of the world. With the development of the F355 and then the outstanding 360 Challenge, the series has grown to take in three championships: the USA, Europe and a dedicated Italian series. All of which offer the chance for clients to enjoy the unique sensation of being a Ferrari racing driver with the full support of factory trained technicians and race crew.
The racing follows the format of any professional race series with a three-day meeting around a weekend. There are two distinct classes within the Ferrari Challenge: the Trofeo Pirelli for the more experienced drivers and the Coppa Shell for those who are new to racing.
In the European Championship, there are seven weekend race meetings on some of the most challenging and iconic race circuits: Monza & Misano (Italy), Silverstone (UK), Spa (Belgium), Paul Ricard (France), and Hockenheim (Germany) and at the World Finals in Italy.
Each race weekend starts on Friday with free practice and qualifying and includes 40 minute races on both Saturday and Sunday, allowing time for the drivers to relax and enjoy the luxury of their surroundings – this is a Ferrari event after all. The latest technology on the cars, the best pit crews with the most sophisticated equipment, the most enthusiastic Ferrari owners driving the most modern F430 Challenge cars on the finest racing circuits can only mean one thing – The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli is in town.
