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Ferrari's GT cars have always been highly competitive in the hands of privateers, and their racing achievements have played a fundamental role in the company's motor sport history. That's why the Ferrari Challenge one-make racing series was created - It was Ferrari's way of getting owners of its road-going GT cars back on the track. the idea for specific competition for the 8-cylinder cars first became reality back in 1993 with the 348 Berlinetta.

In 1995 it was the turn of the F355, thanks to a special kit developed in-house by Ferrari. The 2000 season saw the debut of the 400 bhp, V8-engined 360 Modena Challenge alongside the F355. The 360 Modena maintains the same output (400 bhp @ 8,500 rpm) as the standard road car, but incorporates a number of modifications designed to radically improve its performance in track use.

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.

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