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Ferrari Challenge Infineon Raceway 2012 Gallery 2

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Ferrari Challenge Infineon Raceway 2012 Gallery 2 • • • GALLERY 1 • • • GALLERY 2 • • •




Main attraction, the Ferrari 458 Italia
Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari Challenge, Infineon 2012, Wrap-up

By Michael Rockich, ACC Editor

The weather for the Ferrari Challenge this past weekend at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma California must have been pre-programmed by Ferrari North America for all three days. There was no excess breeze that sometimes happens at the open expanse of race tracks. Yet swelteringly heat was not present either - just perfect!

The main event consisted of three races among the 458 Italia Ferraris, were hotly competed. The races had their share of spinouts and off tracks incidents. The safety car had to make an appearance at least once. Marco Mattiacci, the President and CEO of Ferrari North America, was present to award trophies to the podium finishers in the 458 class.

Ferrari_Challenge_2012

Sorry...in your path?

The Formula One Clienti program was exciting to watch, and equally so to hear. As has been noted, people love the unique sound the F1 engine makes as the seven speed gearbox blasts through each gear for an instant at 17,000 to 20,000 RPM. The sound is totally unique, a high pitched shrieking wail. Even a single F1 at the far end of the track can plainly be heard shrieking its blurred path down the track. The sound permeates the entire arena.

Ferrari has no shortage of consulting talent to assist its racing programs including F1 Clienti. Marc Gené, the overall winner at the 2009 24 hours of Le Mans in France was advising F1 Clienti at trackside. Gené who has several years of racing experience in F1 also got on track for several laps.

Marc Gené

Marc Gené, 2009 Le Mans winner, advises an F1 driver

One Ferrari race car from past vintages joined the F1 Clienti on track simply to remind spectators of past glories. This car also had a very interesting sound, emanating an extremely smooth, high-pitched metallic whine, with none of the misfires sometimes heard in race cars when they back off the accelerator.

Vintage SP333 Ferrari racer gets an airing

SP333 Ferrari

The 599 Program had several of the 12 cylinder race model on track. The cars were equipped with large rear wings creating down-force, and strakes at lower rear for modifying airflow. The Ferrari pit crew was all over these cars.

599XX

599XXs ready for the track

The Sport and Touring classes received time on track also, several times over the weekend. These classes give an opportunity to Ferrari owners with street cars to get the feel of this top class race track. Long lines of Ferraris had to wrap around more than one corner to fit in the huge parking and line up for their turn on the race track.

On Saturday I found myself in a small group receiving a presentation from a member of the Ferrari technical staff as we inspected the 458 Italia. We learned the 458 is quite a work of automotive technology having features including direct fuel injection into each cylinder. On each compression stroke fuel is injected three times at 3,000 PSI. The piston heads are shaped specially to swirl the air-fuel mixture for optimum combustion. The 458 also has variable cam timing as well as all the advantages of a dry sump oil system. The feature list goes on with cylinder head design assisting a low center of gravity for the car.

The Ferrari owners corral provided a very fine side show. The marque was well represented with cars spanning a wide range of years, models, colors, and features. See my coverage following soon of several specific cars with owner interviews.
© 2012 Michael Rockich

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Ferrari Challenge 2012

But things happen...the red car with the strange angle....
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California
Michael Rockich Photo 2012

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Ferrari Challenge 2012

...does a 180
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California
Michael Rockich Photo 2012

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Ferrari Challenge 2012

Shortcuts work too
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California
Michael Rockich Photo 2012

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Ferrari Challenge 2012

Ferrari owners with street cars queue up for the track
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California
Michael Rockich Photo 2012

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Ferrari Challenge 2012

The crew prepares the 599XXs
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California
Michael Rockich Photo 2012

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Ferrari Challenge 2012

Marco Mattiacci, President and CEO of Ferrari North America awards trophies
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California
Michael Rockich Photo 2012

Ferrari Challenge 2012

Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

Ferrari Challenge, Infineon 2012

The Ferrari Challenge scheduled at the Infineon Raceway April 27-29, 2012. This event presents the opportunity to watch the Ferrari 458 Italia, one of the world's top sports cars, in racing competition. The event also permits Ferrari owners to participate in the racing. During the course of the event Ferrari representatives often conducts demonstrations of Ferrari automobile technology. Ferrari merchandise is available for purchase, while food and beverage may be purchased at concession stands.
By Michael Rockich, Contributing Editor

The recommendation is, this is a must see event, no mater the weather. Bring a wide range of clothing options and see racing like it was back in the Good-Old-Days. And. Nothing but nothing looks and sounds like a Ferrari at speed.

Ferrari F1, 2003

Ferrari F1, 2003
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

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Ferrari Challenge 2012

Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

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Ferrari Challenge 2012

Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

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Ferrari Challenge 2012

Ferrari 458 Challenge Car
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

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Ferrari Challenge 2012

Ferrari 458 Challenge Car
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

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Ferrari Challenge 2012

Ferrari 458 Challenge Car
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

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Ferrari Challenge 2012

Ferrari 458 Challenge Car
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

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Ferrari Challenge 2012

Ferrari 458 Challenge Car
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

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Ferrari Challenge 2012

Ferrari 458 Challenge Car
Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

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Ferrari Challenge 2012

Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

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Ferrari Challenge 2012

Ferrari Challenge 2012
Sonoma, California

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