2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale
2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale
2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale
2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale
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The Challenge Stradale lines up alongside the 360 Modena and 360 Spider with the precise aim of providing drivers the performance that only true racing cars for road use can provide. The experiences gained from the Ferrari Challenge International Championships and the FIA GT races, have allowed Ferrari technicians to develop solutions that make the Challenge Stradale especially unique. This strong link to racing is underlined not only by a significant weight reduction, but also by its engine set up, aerodynamics, braking system and F1 style gearbox.

The Challenge Stradale has a weight reduction of 110kg compared to the 360 Modena, thanks to the various modifications implemented on the car. It, together with the increase of the maximum power of the V8 engine, allowed the Challenge Stradale to further increase its performance capabilities.

The Challenge Stradale, as with all Ferrari road cars it is designed to run specifically with Shell oils and fuel. Shell Helix Ultra and Shell V-Power is the only engine oil and fuel that Ferrari allows to pump around its precious V8 engine.

Source - Ferrari
The Challenge Stradale derives from the latest interpretation of the pure Ferrari tradition of making road cars directly derived from the race cars. With the Challenge Stradale the racing expertise comes from the Ferrari Challenge International Championships and the FIA GT races, where the 360 Challenge and 360 GT models are top protagonists, both in Europe and in the United States.

The strong links of the Challenge Stradale road car to racing are underlined by a significant weight reduction, obtained also through a sporty set up and additional aerodynamic contents, enhanced braking performance and F1-style gearbox.

The engine is the 3,586cc V8, with five valves per cylinder and titanium conrods, which secured a worldwide success for the 360 Modena and the 360 Spider. The all aluminium body and chassis are the ones designed and produced by Ferrari for the 360 Modena.

The colour of the car on the Ferrari stand in Geneva will be the new 'Rosso Scuderia', the same red of the Formula 1 cars, with decorations recalling Ferraris used in customer races of the past.

Source - Ferrari
The Ferrari 360 Modena went into production in 1999 and served as a replacement for the F355. The name 'Modena' was used after the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari. The styling was courtesy of Pininfarina and mounted mid-ship was an eight-cylinder engine constructed entirely of aluminum. The engine was mounted to a six-speed gearbox available as a manual or F1 electro-hydraulic shift. Production continued until 2005 when it was replaced with the F430.

The 400 horsepower engine produced around 400 horsepower and could carry the 2840 pound vehicle from zero-to-sixty in just 4.3 seconds. Top speed was achieved at 185 mph. Performance was improved with the introduction of the Challenge Stradale. This was a stripped-down performance version that was void of amenities and non-essential items. The aerodynamics were improved slightly; the chassis was constructed of aluminum. The engine, suspension, and brakes were all greatly improved. With 425 horsepower available and now weighing just 2600 pounds, the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale could go from zero-to-sixty in a mere 4.1 seconds. The overall top speed improved slightly, now at 186 mph.

In 2000 Ferrari introduced the 360 Challenge Series which gave privateers an opportunity to race modified Ferrari's in a regulated environment. The cars that competed in this series were dubbed the Ferrari 360 Challenge. They featured 18 inch BBS alloy wheels and a lowered ride height. A F1-gearbox was matted to the stock engine. The engines were sealed as to not allow tampering. The F1-gearbox is very quick, with gearshifts taking only 150 milliseconds. The suspension was improved to handle the tough track environment. The electronic damping system was replaced with Boge shock absorbers.

There were three championships - one in Italy, Europe, and North America.
Ferrari Challenge Series

The heritage of Enzo Ferrari has always been about racing. The road going cars he created were primarily for financial support to fuel his racing program. The road cars were created in close specifications and dimensions to the racers allowing privateers to drive their cars to the track and race them.

The Ferrari Challenge Series was founded in 1993 as a way for Ferrari owners to enjoy their sports cars to there fullest potential. As stated by Ferrari, the series was created 'to allow Ferrari customers to enjoy their cars in a structured, competitive environment, racing against other Ferrari owners on some of the great racetracks of North America.'

The Challenge Series cars are not production vehicles but identically prepared race cars outfitted with the necessary safety equipment. Found within the cockpit are the standard modern safety equipment such as roll cages, fire suppression system, and safety harnesses. The engine is left completely stock with the only mechanical updates occurring on the suspension and the brakes. The result is a nearly stock Ferrari, with ample safety equipment, and identical specifications across the board. This creates a competitive forum for the owners to rely on their skill and abilities to negotiate their machines around the track faster than the others.

The first Challege series Ferrari was the 348 which was later replaced by the 355 near the close of the 1990s. The 355 was superseded by the 360 in 2000 and has recently been replaced with the 430. The 360 Challenge Stradale was a derivate of the Challenge Series vehicle, sold in limited numbers, and capable of being driven on the street. Just like the Challenge Series vehicle, it is void of amenities and luxury items except for air conditioning. The interior is without proper sound insulation and carpeting, all in an effort to reduce the weight of the vehicle.

This 'gentleman's' series is highly competitive and closely matched. There are drivers, crew chiefs, pitt crews, team names, trailers, and more. The racing venues are all located in North America and include Infineon Raceway, Road Atlanta, Quebec's Circuit Giles Villeneuve, Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant in St. Jovite, Lime Rock Park in Connecticut, and Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, CA.

2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale

Year2003
MakeFerrari
Model360 Challenge Stradale
Engine LocationMid
Drive TypeRear Wheel
Production Years for Series2003 - 2005
Body DesignerPininfarina
Weight2800 lbs | 1270.1 kg
Introduced At2003 Geneva Switzerland

Performance
0-60 mph4.1 seconds.

Engine  
Engine ConfigurationV
Cylinders8
Aspiration/InductionNormal
Displacement3586.00 cc | 218.8 cu in. | 3.6 L.
Valves40 valves.
5 valves per cylinder.
ValvetrainDOHC
Horsepower400.00 BHP (294.4 KW) @ 8500.00 RPM
Torque275.00 Ft-Lbs (372.9 NM) @ 4750.00 RPM
HP to Weight Ratio7.0 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio)
HP / Liter111.1 BHP / Liter
Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight

Transmission Information
TransmissionManual


 
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Articles and Event Coverage
2004 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix
2003 Geneva Switzerland
2003 New York City, NY

Additional Resources and Links
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Official Website

2003 Ferrari models
360
456M GT
550 GTO
575 GTC
575M Maranello
Enzo
F2003-GA

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2004 360 Challenge Stradale
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