Ferrari Challenge Sonoma Raceway 2013 PROLOGUE

Ferrari Challenge Sonoma Raceway 2013 • • • RACEDAY • • • Wrap-up: • • • PROLOGUE: • • •

What is better than a sea of Ferraris? How about a sea of Ferraris, a racetrack with no speed limits, specialized Ferrari trained race mechanics' to make certain the cars run their best and 2 days to see everything and wander freely about the cars.

This is what you get at the Ferrari 458 Challenge/Ferrari Racing days at Sonoma Raceway just north of San Francisco, California.

All Car Central has had the pleasure to cover this race since 2007 and there never is a disappointment, rain or shine. These boys race hard. There is everything in the field, the newest Ferrari racing cars, and some of the oldest with everything in-between.

Come out and join in. The Ferrari Club is on hand to show off their cars and and you can see them take a turn on the track.

Friday was a non-stop parade of Ferraris running the track. All Day. Alternating between Challenge 458's and the Ferrari customer and Ferrari Club members in their street cars. I was at the back 'S' or turn 9A where the most action was visible were passing and off-roading took place. Turn 9A is at the end of a slight down hill run into 90 degree left turn. this allows a good passing point and provides a somewhat safe run-out, if one misses the large tire barrier, which most do.

The over-all turnout of cars and racers was less than previous years with the vintage, FXX cars, and F1 cars being NO-SHOWS. As the Ferrari Challenge series has spread into more countries around the world, one could speculate that this may have some effect on the Northern California event within the more exotic Ferrari groups. I asked a group of Ferrari North America people which I had the pleasure of joining during lunch, what countries currently had the most enthusiastic Ferrari Fans. The consensus listed China and Brazil.

Ferrari 458 Challenge Cars getting ready for practice

Ferrari Challenge 2013
Darren Crystal Gassing up

Ferrari Challenge 2013
Onofrio Triarsi working out Pit Strategy

Ferrari Challenge 2013
Brent Lawrence. Everyone takes racing seriously.

Ferrari Challenge 2013
Ugo Colombo finds the dirt.

Ferrari Challenge 2013
Michael Macs leads this bunch through Turn 2.

Ferrari Challenge 2013
James Weiland Shows off his style.

Ferrari Challenge 2013
A Ferrari Enzo getting prepped for the track.

Ferrari Challenge 2013
Ferrari Enzo's working parts.

Ferrari Challenge 2013
The Enzo on the track doing what it was made for.

Ferrari Challenge 2013
All kinds of interesting cars parked around the paddock. How about a Ferrari FF.

Ferrari Challenge 2013
Or a new F12 Berlinetta

Ferrari Challenge 2013
Ferrari North America also brought along a simulator for people to try out.

PROLOGUE
Ferrari Challenge Preview,
Sonoma Raceway 2013
By Michael Rockich

Its springtime, at least in California, and what could be better than getting that sports car out of the garage and taking a drive in the fresh air without the chill of winter present. Even better, go to the race track and watch some serious action there.

For those in northern California such an opportunity presents itself on April 26-28 at the Sonoma Raceway, formerly known as Infineon or simply Sears Point. The Ferrari 458 Italia, one of the world's premiere sports cars will take to the track in wheel to wheel (literally and sometimes more) racing competition. This event allows Ferrari owners to participate in the racing without true racing professionals biasing the competition. Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari's fervent wish was that his Ferraris should be raced and not garaged.

The Ferrari Challenge is held on major race tracks of which Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma County is no exception. The track features over160 feet of elevation changes along its length. There are a variety of points around track from which to view the races with varying perspective and advantages.

The Ferrari 458 Italia

The Ferrari Challenge provides US Ferrari owners the opportunity to compete on racetracks in the USA with fellow Ferrari enthusiasts. Ferrari North America and its authorized dealers organize the event. Began in North America in 1993 the event is sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association. The series began this season January 24 at Daytona, Florida and completes November 17 in Austin, Texas.

The 458 Italia raced in the Ferrari Challenge has the same overall engine and appearance and as the street version. Cars raced incorporate various track-oriented changes, and include some new features not employed in previous seasons. A 4.5 L V8 engine incorporating many technical innovations with seven speed dual clutch gearbox powers 458 Italia. The street car version clocks a top speed of over 200 mph. Teams representing authorized Ferrari dealers handle all of the support and preparation for the Challenge cars. All the engines are completely stock and sealed which keeps emphasis on the driver's ability

Ferrari Formula One

Other Ferraris will join the 458 on track during the event including the XX Program racers, and the exotic past vintages of the Ferrari Formula One. Some of the F1s will wail by with the special high revving engines at 17,000 RPM. Paddock and garage area will be open to permit a closer look. During the course of the event watch for Ferrari representatives conducting demonstrations of Ferrari automobile technology. Usually Ferrari owners stage a massive Ferrari corral of many various models and vintages of Ferraris. Sometimes they also take to the track in a slower paced display of beautiful "prancing horse" hardware.
End.